Apparatus for deflecting a catheter or lead
AssigneeMedtronic, Inc.
InventorKenneth C. Gardeski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A deflectable stylet or guidewire formed of an elongated tube having a coil mounted to its distal end and a movable tension or push wire mounted within the coil and the tube, mechanically coupled to the distal end of the coil. A backbone is located within the coil, mechanically coupled to the proximal and distal ends of the coil and extending along one side of the coil. The backbone may be provided with projections extending laterally between adjacent turns of the coil and may have a generally arcuate cross section having a width greater than its arc height. In some embodiments the backbone may be formed from a tube having a slot extending longitudinally along one side thereof. In some embodiments the backbone may be attached to the coil at points between the proximal and distal ends of the coil.
Claims3
A method of making a deflectable stylet or guidewire, comprising:
- selecting an elongated tubular member having proximal and distal ends;
- forming a coil and an elongated backbone, each having proximal and distal ends, of a ductile alloy;
- mounting the backbone within the coil and welding the backbone to the coil, along one side of the coil;
- after welding, heat treating the coil and backbone to provide a spring temper;
- mounting the backbone and coil to the distal end of the tubular member, and
- mounting a wire within the coil and tubular member and coupling the wire to a distal portion of the coil.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.