# US 7,611,524 B1 · Guide wire extension for shape memory polymer occlusion removal devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,611,524 B1 - Document ID: US7611524B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 11/238,018 - Filed: 2005-09-27 - Published: 2009-11-05 - Granted: 2009-11-03 - Earliest claimed: 2005-09-27 - Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC - Inventors: Duncan J. Maitland; Ward Small, IV; Jonathan Hartman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7611524B1 ## CPC - A61B 17/221: Gripping devices in the form of loops or baskets {for gripping calculi or similar types of obstructions (surgical snare instruments A61B17/32056)} - A61M 25/0905: {extendable, e.g. mechanisms for extension} - A61B 2017/2217: {single wire changing shape to a gripping configuration} - A61M 2025/09141: {made of shape memory alloys which take a particular shape at a certain temperature} - A61M 2025/09183: {having tools at the distal tip} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract A flexible extension for a shape memory polymer occlusion removal device. A shape memory polymer instrument is transported through a vessel via a catheter. A flexible elongated unit is operatively connected to the distal end of the shape memory polymer instrument to enhance maneuverability through tortuous paths en route to the occlusion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for use with a transport vehicle for occlusion removal in a vessel having a tortuous path, comprising: a shape memory polymer mechanical actuator operatively connected to the transport vehicle for transport through the vessel, said shape memory polymer mechanical actuator activated by heat to change shape from a first shape for transport through the vessel to a second shape for occlusion removal when heated above a transition temperature, said shape memory polymer mechanical actuator having a distal end, and a flexible elongated guide unit operatively connected to said distal end of said shape memory polymer mechanical actuator for enhancing maneuverability of said shape memory polymer mechanical actuator through the tortuous path of the vessel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus for use with a transport vehicle for occlusion removal in a vessel having a tortuous path of claim 1 wherein said flexible elongated guide unit is a flexible guide wire. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus for use with a transport vehicle for occlusion removal in a vessel having a tortuous path of claim 1 wherein said flexible elongated guide unit is a guide wire extension. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus for use with a transport vehicle for occlusion removal in a vessel having a tortuous path of claim 1 wherein said flexible elongated guide unit includes an elongated guiding section and an attachment section. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus for use with a transport vehicle for occlusion removal in a vessel having a tortuous path of claim 1 wherein said flexible elongated guide unit includes an attachment section operatively connected to said distal end of said shape memory polymer actuator by epoxy. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus for use with a transport vehicle for occlusion removal in a vessel having a tortuous path of claim 1 wherein said flexible elongated guide unit comprises wire windings. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus for use with a transport vehicle for occlusion removal in a vessel having a tortuous path of claim 1 wherein said flexible elongated guide unit includes an attachment section, wherein said flexible elongated guide unit comprises wire windings, and wherein said attachment section is operatively connected to said distal end of said shape memory polymer mechanical actuator by said wire windings being overlapped over said distal end of said shape memory polymer mechanical actuator. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus for use with a transport vehicle for occlusion removal in a vessel having a tortuous path of claim 1 including an optical fiber that extends from the transport vehicle and wherein said shape memory polymer mechanical actuator surrounds said optical fiber. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus for use with a transport vehicle for occlusion removal in a vessel having a tortuous path of claim 1 wherein said flexible elongated guide unit comprises an optical fiber. ### Claim 10 An apparatus for use with a transport vehicle for occlusion removal in a vessel having a tortuous path, comprising: shape memory polymer mechanical actuator means for occlusion removal operatively connected to the transport vehicle for transport through the vessel, said shape memory polymer mechanical actuator means activated by heat to change shape from a first shape for transport through the vessel to a second shape for occlusion removal when heated above a transition temperature, said shape memory polymer mechanical actuator means having a distal end, and flexible elongated guide means for guiding said shape memory polymer means through the vessel, said flexible elongated guide means operatively connected to said distal end of said shape memory polymer mechanical actuator means for enhancing maneuverability of said shape memory polymer mechanical actuator through the tortuous path of the vessel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus for use with a transport vehicle for occlusion removal in a vessel having a tortuous path of claim 10 wherein said flexible elongated guide means is a flexible guide wire. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The apparatus for use with a transport vehicle for occlusion removal in a vessel having a tortuous path of claim 10 wherein said flexible elongated guide means is a guide wire extension. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The apparatus for use with a transport vehicle for occlusion removal in a vessel having a tortuous path of claim 10 wherein said flexible elongated guide means includes an elongated guiding section and an attachment section. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The apparatus for use with a transport vehicle for occlusion removal in a vessel having a tortuous path of claim 10 wherein said flexible elongated guide means includes an attachment section operatively connected to said distal end of said shape memory polymer means by epoxy. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The apparatus for use with a transport vehicle for occlusion removal in a vessel having a tortuous path of claim 10 wherein said flexible elongated guide means comprises wire windings. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The apparatus for use with a transport vehicle for occlusion removal in a vessel having a tortuous path of claim 10 wherein said flexible elongated guide means includes an attachment section, wherein said flexible elongated guide means comprises wire windings, and wherein said attachment section is operatively connected to said distal end of said shape memory polymer mechanical actuator means by said wire windings being overlapped over said distal end of said shape memory polymer mechanical actuator means. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The apparatus for use with a transport vehicle for occlusion removal in a vessel having a tortuous path of claim 10 including an optical fiber that extends from the transport vehicle and wherein said shape memory polymer mechanical actuator means surrounds said optical fiber. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The apparatus for use with a transport vehicle for occlusion removal in a vessel having a tortuous path of claim 10 wherein said flexible elongated guide means comprises an optical fiber. ### Claim 19 An apparatus for use with a transport vehicle for occlusion removal in a vessel having a tortuous path, comprising: a shape memory polymer mechanical actuator operatively connected to the transport vehicle for transport through the vessel via a catheter, said shape memory polymer mechanical actuator activated by heat to change shape from a first shape for transport through the vessel to a second shape for occlusion removal when heated above a transition temperature, said shape memory polymer mechanical actuator having a distal end, and a flexible elongated guide unit operatively connected to said distal end of said shape memory polymer mechanical actuator for enhancing maneuverability of said shape memory polymer mechanical actuator through the tortuous path of the vessel, said flexible elongated guide unit including an elongated guiding section and an attachment section, wherein said attachment section comprises wire windings with said wire windings overlapped over said distal end of said shape memory polymer mechanical actuator. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The apparatus for use with a transport vehicle for occlusion removal in a vessel having a tortuous path of claim 1 wherein said elongated guiding section of said flexible elongated guide unit comprises wire windings.