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AssigneeBoston Scientific Corporation
InventorsJames C. Wang, Albert Chin, James B. Daigle, Douglas J. Daniels, Richard M. Demello, John F. Hartnett, Robert E. Reid, Christopher A. Rowland, Charles Warich, Thomas A. Svatek
Estimating the term…
Implements, particularly medical instruments, formed at least in part of elongated polymer members, exhibit high torque fidelity after processing with tension, heat, and twisting. The processing orients the polymer in generally helical paths so that torque imposed at the proximal end can be transmitted to the distal end without substantial whipping, even if the implement follows a long and tortuous pathway. Applications include medical guidewires, catheters, and driveshafts.
An elongated medical instrument formed at least in part by an extended element that is subject to torque in use, said element being a structural body, at least a segment of said element composed of polymer molecules, a substantial portion of said polymer molecules being non-liquid crystal polymer molecules helically oriented about the instrument axis.
An elongated medical instrument formed at least in part of an extended element being a structural body, said element having a length between about 40 to 300 inch and an outer diameter of about 0.25 inch or less, said member being capable of substantially 1:1 torque transmission between the proximal and distal ends without substantial whipping when said member is looped in a circle with a diameter about 5 inch at a point about half way along its length, wherein at least a segment of said element is composed of polymer molecules, a substantial portion of said polymer molecules being non-liquid crystal polymer molecules helically oriented about the instrument axis.
An elongated medical instrument that is delivered into tortuous pathways deep within the body, comprising:
An elongated implement that is torqued in use, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.