US 4,917,102 A · Guidewire assembly with steerable adjustable tip

Abstract

A guidewire assembly particularly suitable for valvuloplasty procedures have an outer tubular member a first shapable core member fixed within the outer member and a second stiffer core member which is axially movable within the out tubular member. The first core member preferably has a double curvature shape with the most distal curvature having a much smaller radius or curvature than the second curvature. When the movable core member is moved proximally, the fixed core member assumes its shaped form and thereby changes the shape of the guidewire. The double curvature shape prevents the traumatic engagement of the distal tip of the guidewire with the lining in the heart chamber and also provides supports to the guidewire when disposed through the heart valve.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A guidewire for guiding a catheter through a patient's vasculature comprising:

(a) a flexible outer tubular body which includes a tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and a helical coil which is secured to the distal extremity of the tubular member and which has a rounded plug on the distal end thereof;
(b) a first core member which is disposed within the outer tubular body and which is secured therein by the proximal end thereof to the distal extremity of the tubular member, said first core member having a preshaped set;
(c) a second core member having greater stiffness than the first core member which is disposed within and which extends along essentially the entire length of the outer tubular body and which is axially movable therein;
and
(d) means at the proximal end of the second core member to facilitate the proximal movement of the second core member with respect to the first core member to allow the first core member to assume the preshaped set provided thereto.

2 more elements

A method of dilating a heart valve comprising:

(a) advancing a guidewire through a patient's vasculature comprising a flexible outer tubular body which includes a tubular member with proximal and distal extremities and a helical coil secured by the proximal end thereof to the distal extremity of the tubular member having a rounded plug on the distal end thereof, a first core member having a preshaped set which is disposed within the tubular body and secured therein by the proximal end thereof to the distal extremity of the tubular member, a second core member having greater stiffness than the first core member which is disposed within and extends along essentially the entire length of the outer tubular body and is axially movable therein, and a means on the proximal end of the second core member to facilitate the proximal movement of the second core member with respect to the first core member;
(b) positioning the second core member coextensive within the outer tubular member with the first core member so as to overcome the set of the first core member;
(c) pushing the distal end of the guidewire through a stenotic heart valve;
(d) after the distal portion of the guidewire has passed through the stenotic heart valve, axially moving the relatively stiff second core member in the proximal direction within the outer tubular member so the distal portion of the guidewire which has passed through the heart valve can assume the shape imposed by the preshaped first core member;
(e) advancing at least one dilatation catheter having an inflatable balloon on the distal end thereof along the guidewire through the stenotic valve;
and
(f) inflating the inflatable balloon on the catheter to dilate the stenotic valve.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Guidewire assembly with steerable adjustable tip

Life of this patent

Guidewire assembly with steerable adjustable tip

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17