# US 8,740,815 B2 · Guidewire > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,740,815 B2 - Document ID: US8740815B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/055,603 - Filed: 2013-10-16 - Published: 2014-02-13 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2009-01-27 - Assignees: Device Source, LLC - Applicants: Device Source, LLC - Inventors: Robert A. Palme, Jr.; Gregory L. Townsend - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8740815B2 ## CPC - A61M 25/09: Guide wires - A61M 25/09033: {with fixed mandrils, e.g. mandrils fixed to tip; Tensionable wires} - A61M 2025/09091: {where a sheath surrounds the coil at the distal part} - 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 guidewire has a coil with a side of the coil winds having solid physical connections between the coil winds to prevent the connected coil wind side from expanding resulting from the application of force by an actuating member. The application of longitudinal force to the coil causes the unconnected coil wind side to expand while the connected side does not expand, resulting in the guidewire assuming a different configuration. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A guidewire, comprising: a distal section having an expandable side and a non-expandable side, the distal section comprising a metallic coil defining a first central space and comprising a plurality of winds defined by a first outer radius when viewed in a longitudinal direction, and an external flat section on the plurality of winds defined by a second outer radius when viewed in the longitudinal direction, the second outer radius being smaller than the first outer radius; a proximal section comprising a hollow member defining a second central space coaxial with the first central space, the proximal section having less flexibility than the distal section; a metallic ribbon having a rectangular cross section attached to the external flat section at each of the plurality of winds; and an actuating member extending through the first central space and the second central space, the actuating member attached proximate a distal end of the distal section and capable of transferring longitudinal force to the coil. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The guidewire of claim 1 wherein the guidewire in a non-stressed configuration has a straight configuration. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The guidewire of claim 1 wherein the guidewire in a non-stressed configuration has a deflected configuration. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The guidewire of claim 1 wherein the actuating member is a solid rod defining a distal end and having an end piece attached to the distal end. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The guidewire of claim 4 wherein the actuating member defines a tapered section corresponding to the distal section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The guidewire of claim 1 wherein the proximal section comprises a coil, and wherein the metallic coil of the distal section is wound at a lesser pitch than the coil of the proximal section. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The guidewire of claim 6 wherein the metallic coil of the distal section and the coil of the proximal section are integrally attached. ### Claim 8 A guidewire comprising: a distal section having a longitudinal axis and comprising a coil defining a central space extending along the longitudinal axis, the coil comprising a plurality of winds having an external flat section; and a ribbon having a rectangular cross section attached to the external flat section at each of the plurality of winds, wherein when viewed in a cross section taken orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, the coil has a first outer radius and a second outer radius at the external flat section, the second outer radius being less than the first outer radius. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The guidewire of claim 8 wherein the ribbon is a metallic ribbon and the coil is a metallic coil. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The guidewire of claim 9 wherein the metallic ribbon is welded to the external flat section of the metallic coil. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The guidewire of claim 8 further comprising a proximal section extending along the longitudinal axis and defining a second central space coaxial with the central space of the distal section, the proximal section having less flexibility than the distal section. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The guidewire of claim 11 wherein the proximal section comprises a coil that is integrally attached to the coil of the distal section. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The guidewire of claim 11 further comprising an actuating member extending through the central space of the distal section and the second central space, the actuating member attached proximate a distal end of the distal section and capable of transferring longitudinal force to the coil. ### Claim 14 A guidewire comprising: a distal section having a longitudinal axis and comprising a coil defining a central space extending along the longitudinal axis, the coil comprising a plurality of winds having an external flat section; and a ribbon having a rectangular cross section attached to the external flat section at each of the plurality of winds, wherein when viewed in a cross section taken orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, the coil has a first outer radius and the external flat section has a second outer radius, the second outer radius being less than the first outer radius. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The guidewire of claim 14 wherein the ribbon is a metallic ribbon and the coil is a metallic coil. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The guidewire of claim 15 wherein the metallic ribbon is welded to the external flat section of the metallic coil. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The guidewire of claim 14 further comprising a proximal section extending along the longitudinal axis and defining a second central space coaxial with the central space of the distal section, the proximal section having less flexibility than the distal section. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The guidewire of claim 17 wherein the proximal section comprises a coil that is integrally attached to the coil of the distal section. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The guidewire of claim 17 further comprising an actuating member extending through the central space of the distal section and the second central space, the actuating member attached proximate a distal end of the distal section and capable of transferring longitudinal force to the coil.