Patent US4991602A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4991602A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible guide wire with safety tip
Assignee: Ev3 Inc
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Filing: 1989-06-27
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Granted: 1991-02-12
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Expires: 2009-06-27
Abstract
Abstract A guide useful for guiding a catheter within a blood vessel is formed of a single length of shape memory alloy. The guide has a central portion of uniform diameter and substantially identical tapered end portions each terminating in enlarged diameter portions defining smoothly rounded beads which function to reduce trauma to the lumen of a blood vessel.
Inventors
- 👤 Curtis A. Amplatz
- 👤 Stuart Lind
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/09; A61M2025/09133; A61M2025/09141; A61M2025/09175; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/02; A61M2205/0266
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A guide useful for guiding a catheter within a blood vessel, comprising an elongated, flexible metal wire of shape memory alloy having a central portion of uniform diameter and identical tapered end portions of continuously decreasing diameter each terminating in an integral, enlarged diameter bead, the guide wire being formed from a single length of shape memory alloy wire having a uniform diameter by the process of centerless grinding, the ends of the wire being characterized by smooth, rounded transition between the ends of the tapered portions and the respective beads.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A guide useful for guiding a catheter within a blood vessel, comprising an elongated, flexible metal wire of shape memory alloy having a central portion of uniform diameter and identical tapered end portions of continuously decreasing diameter each terminating in an integral, enlarged diameter bead, the guide wire being formed from a single length of shape memory alloy wire having a uniform diameter by the process of centerless grinding, the ends of the wire being characterized by smooth, rounded transition between the ends of the tapered portions and the respective beads.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The guide of claim 1 further comprising a thin coating covering the external surface of said wire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The guide of claim 1 in which the cross section of the guide at any point along its length is circular and in which the diameter of the bead is substantially equal to the diameter of the central portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The guide of claim 3 in which the diameter of the central portion and of the bead is not greater than about 0.4 mm, and wherein the smallest diameter of the tapered portion is not greater than about 0.15 mm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The guide wire of claim 4 in which the tapered end portions have lengths in the range of about 1.5 cm to about 8 cm.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-02-11 | 1994-08-13 | 1995-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-02-11 | 1998-08-13 | 1999-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-02-11 | 2002-08-13 | 2003-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |