Medical devices and tapered tubular members for use in medical devices
AssigneeBoston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
InventorBRICE L. SHIREMAN
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Medical devices and methods for making and using the same. An example medical device may include a metallic tubular member including a tube wall defining an inner diameter and having a wall thickness. The tubular member may have a plurality of slots formed therein. The tubular member may also include first portion having a first length. The tube wall may have a substantially constant wall thickness across the first length. The tubular member may also include a second portion having a second length. The tube wall may thin so that the inner diameter increases across the second length.
Claims25
A medical device, comprising:
- a metallic tubular member including a tube wall defining an inner diameter and having a wall thickness;
- wherein the tubular member has a plurality of slots formed therein;
- wherein the tubular member includes first portion having a first length and wherein the tube wall has a substantially constant wall thickness across the first length;
- and
- wherein the tubular member includes a second portion having a second length and wherein the tube wall thins so that the inner diameter increases across the second length.
A guidewire, comprising:
- a metallic tubular member having a tube wall, an outer diameter, and a distal end region, wherein the distal end region has a thinned length, and wherein the tube wall thins so that the outer diameter decreases across the thinned length;
- wherein the tubular member has a plurality of slots formed therein;
- and
- a tip member attached to the distal end region, wherein the tip member overlaps with the thinned length.
A guidewire, comprising:
- a metallic tubular member having a tube wall, an inner diameter, and a distal end region, wherein the distal end region has a thinned length, and wherein the tube wall thins so that the inner diameter increases across the thinned length;
- wherein the tubular member has a plurality of slots formed therein;
- and
- a tip member attached to the distal end region, wherein the tip member overlaps with the thinned length.
A medical device, comprising:
- a metallic tubular member including a distal end;
- wherein the tubular member includes a tube wall having an inner surface and an outer surface;
- and
- wherein at the distal end of the tubular member, the inner surface and the outer surface taper to thin the tube wall.
A method for manufacturing a medical device, the method comprising:
- providing a metallic tubular member including a tube wall defining an inner diameter;
- forming a plurality of slots in the tubular member;
- and
- thinning a portion of the tube wall, wherein along the portion of the tube wall that is thinned the inner diameter is increased.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.