Guidewire torque device for single-hand manipulation
AssigneeB. Braun Medical Inc.
InventorMichael J. Horzewski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A torque device capable of both securement to a guidewire and release with only one hand, is constructed of a pair of tubular elements, one terminating in a series of prongs with outer surfaces which form an outwardly expanding cone, and the other surrounding the prongs and containing an internal, inwardly extending flange which engages the outer surfaces of the prongs. When the tubular elements are slid apart relative to each other, the flange travels along the expanding outer surfaces of the prongs, forcing the prongs toward each other so that the prong tips grip the guidewire. Release is achieved by sliding the tubular elements back to a closed configuration.
Claims7
A device for gripping a catheter guidewire, said device comprising:
- a first tubular member having first and second ends and a central axis and terminating at said first end in at least three resilient prongs arranged at equal intervals around said central axis, said resilient prongs having outer contours which include sloping surfaces which slope away from said central axis in the direction leading to said first end;
- a second tubular member for receiving said resilient prongs and axially slidable thereover;
- and
- means for engaging said sloping surfaces of all of said resilient prongs simultaneously, and for compressing said resilient prongs toward each other when said second tubular member is slid relative to said first tubular member such that said means for engaging travels toward said first end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.