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US 2014/0276074 A1Published application
Flexible Driveshafts with Bi-Directionally Balanced Torsional Stiffness Properties
AssigneeW.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
InventorClifford P. Warner
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Abstract
This document provides flexible driveshaft devices. For example, this document provides flexible driveshaft devices that have bi-directionally balanced torsional stiffness properties. In some embodiments, the flexible driveshaft devices provided herein are utilized in medical device systems, such as endoluminal medical device systems. For example, in some embodiments the flexible driveshaft devices provided herein are utilized in endoluminal ultrasonic catheter systems.
Claims30
A flexible driveshaft for use in catheters, wherein the driveshaft comprises:
- a first helically wound layer of filars wound in a first direction;
- and
- a second helically wound layer of filars wound in a second direction and wrapped around an outer diameter of the first helically wound layer of filars, the second direction being generally opposite to the first direction,
- wherein a ratio of the driveshaft's torsional stiffness in a clockwise direction of rotation to the driveshaft's torsional stiffness in a counterclockwise direction of rotation is within a range of about 1:2 to about 2:1, and wherein the driveshaft has an overall outer diameter of less than about 10 millimeters.
1 more element
A catheter-based ultrasound system, comprising:
- a flexible driveshaft comprising:
- a first helically wound layer of filars wound in a first direction;
- and
- a second helically wound layer of filars wound in a second direction and wrapped around an outer diameter of the first helically wound layer of filars, the second direction being generally opposite to the first direction,
- wherein a ratio of the driveshaft's torsional stiffness in a clockwise direction of rotation to the driveshaft's torsional stiffness in a counterclockwise direction of rotation is within a range of about 1:2 to about 2:1, and wherein the driveshaft has an overall outer diameter of less than about 10 millimeters;
- and
- an ultrasound array coupled to the driveshaft.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.