Sensing guidewire with integrated proximal locking feature
AssigneePhilips Image Guided Therapy Corporation
InventorsEric Henderson, David Burkett
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Intravascular devices, systems and methods of fabricating the same are provided. In one embodiment, an intravascular system includes an intravascular guidewire that includes a flexible elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, at least one electronic component secured to the distal portion of the flexible elongate member, and a locking section integral with a metal core of the flexible elongate member at the proximal portion of the flexible elongate member. The metal core has a first diameter. The locking section includes a first subsection and a second subsection. The first subsection has a second of diameter smaller than the first diameter and the second subsection transitions between the first diameter and the second diameter.
Claims19
An intravascular system, comprising:
- an intravascular guidewire comprising a flexible elongate member,
- wherein the flexible elongate member comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion,
- wherein the distal portion comprises an electronic component,
- wherein the proximal portion comprises:
- a metal core extending along at least part of the flexible elongate member, the metal core comprising a first section and a second section, wherein the second section is proximal of the first section along a length of the metal core, wherein the first section extends along the proximal portion of the flexible elongate member;
- and
- a polymer layer surrounding the first section,
- wherein the first section and the second section are integrally formed such that no attachment interface is located between the first section and the second section,
- wherein the first section of the metal core comprises a first diameter, and
- wherein the second section of the metal core comprises:
- a first subsection comprising a second diameter, and
- a second subsection comprising a non-constant diameter,
- wherein the polymer layer does not surround the second section such that an outer surface of the first subsection and the second subsection are exposed;
- and
- a connector distinct from the intravascular guidewire,
- wherein the connector is configured to couple to the proximal portion of the flexible elongate member, wherein the connector includes a recess along a longitudinal axis of the connector, wherein the recess is sized and shaped to receive the proximal portion of the flexible elongate member,
- wherein the connector comprises a locking clip with a slit sized and shaped to receive the second section, wherein the locking clip is disposed within the connector perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and
- wherein the second section is configured to be received within the slit of the locking clip to limit a movement of the second section relative to the locking clip to a length of the first subsection.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.