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US5133364A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Guidewire extension with self-latching detachable connector

Assignee: Medtronic Vascular Inc
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Filing: 1990-10-18
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Granted: 1992-07-28
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Expires: 2010-10-18
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Abstract

Abstract A guidewire system for use in catheter exchanges avoids the need for a separate exchange wire by connecting an extension wire to the proximal end of the guidewire thereby increasing the effective length of the guidewire to permit a catheter exchange. The proximal end of the guidewire is attached to the distal end of the exchange wire by a disconnectable reattachable connection which avoids deformation of the connected joint.

Inventors

  • 👤 Thomas J. Palermo
  • 👤 Stephen M. Salmon

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 18:26
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/09; A61M25/0905

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim 231 words
A guidewire for use with a catheter and an extension for the guidewire for enabling multiple catheter exchanges comprising: a guidewire having a proximal end and a distal end; an extension wire having a proximal end and a distal end; cooperative self-latching connector means on the proximal end of the guidewire and the distal end of the extension wire for detachably connecting the guidewire and extension wire, said connector means being so constructed and arranged as to be reconnectible after detachment, the connector means being adapted to effect a non-frictional mechanical interlock between the connectible elements thereof; the connector means being constructed to effect said mechanical interlock without permanent deformation of either of the proximal end of the guidewire or the distal end of the extension wire; the connector means being an axially telescoping construction in which the guidewire is provided with a socket at its proximal end and the extension wire has a self-latching latch member at its distal end, the self-latching latch member being received within the socket; the latch member comprising a helical coil having a proximal end and a distal end and being attached at its distal end to the region of the distal end of the extension wire, the proximal end of the helical coil being free to enable the helical coil to stretch axially and constrict radially about the distal end of the extension wire.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 231 words
A guidewire for use with a catheter and an extension for the guidewire for enabling multiple catheter exchanges comprising: a guidewire having a proximal end and a distal end; an extension wire having a proximal end and a distal end; cooperative self-latching connector means on the proximal end of the guidewire and the distal end of the extension wire for detachably connecting the guidewire and extension wire, said connector means being so constructed and arranged as to be reconnectible after detachment, the connector means being adapted to effect a non-frictional mechanical interlock between the connectible elements thereof; the connector means being constructed to effect said mechanical interlock without permanent deformation of either of the proximal end of the guidewire or the distal end of the extension wire; the connector means being an axially telescoping construction in which the guidewire is provided with a socket at its proximal end and the extension wire has a self-latching latch member at its distal end, the self-latching latch member being received within the socket; the latch member comprising a helical coil having a proximal end and a distal end and being attached at its distal end to the region of the distal end of the extension wire, the proximal end of the helical coil being free to enable the helical coil to stretch axially and constrict radially about the distal end of the extension wire.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 19 words
A guidewire and extension therefor as defined in claim 1 wherein the coil is formed from rectangular cross-section wire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 37 words
A guidewire and extension therefor as defined in claim 1 wherein the extension wire comprises an elongate shaft, the distal portion thereof being of reduced diameter, said helical coil being mounted on said reduced diameter distal portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 41 words
A guidewire and extension therefor as defined in claim 1 wherein some of the turns of the helical coil, at the proximal end of the helical coil are of slightly larger diameter than the more distally located turns of the coil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 41 words
A guidewire and extension therefor as defined in claim 1 in which the diameter of the guidewire is substantially the same as the diameter of the extension, except at the distal end of the extension wire which is of reduced diameter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 60 words
A guidewire as defined in any one of claims 1-3 and 5 wherein the helical coil is of a length and is so mounted on the distal end of the extension wire so that when the extension wire is inserted fully into the socket of the guidewire a proximal segment of the coil will be exposed proximally of the guidewire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 38 words
A guidewire and extension therefor as defined in claim 6 wherein some of the turns of the helical coil that remain within the socket are of slightly larger diameter than the more distally located turns of the coil.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 31 words
A guidewire and extension therefor as defined in claim 7 wherein the force resistant to axial separation of the guidewire and extension is substantially greater than the force for their connection.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 28 words
A guidewire and extension therefor as defined in claim 7 wherein separation of the connected guidewire and extension requires simultaneous rotation and axial separation of the connected elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 31 words
A guidewire and extension therefor as defined in claim 6 wherein the force resistant to axial separation of the guidewire and extension is substantially greater than the force for their connection.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 28 words
A guidewire and extension therefor as defined in claim 6 wherein separation of the connected guidewire and extension requires simultaneous rotation and axial separation of the connected elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 31 words
A guidewire and extension therefor as defined in any one of claims 1-5 wherein separation of the connected guidewire and extension requires simultaneous rotation and axial separation of the connected elements.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 53 words
A guidewire and extension therefor as defined in any one of claims 1-5 wherein the force resistant to axial separation of the guidewire and extension is substantially greater than the force for their connection; and wherein separation of the connected guidewire and extension requires simultaneous rotation and axial separation of the connected elements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 116 words
A guidewire for use with a catheter and an extension for the guidewire for enabling multiple catheter exchanges comprising: a guidewire having a proximal end and a distal end an extension wire having a proximal end and a distal end; cooperative self-latching connector elements on the proximal end of the guidewire and the distal end of the extension wire for detachably connecting the guidewire and extension wire, said connector elements being so constructed and arranged as to be reconnectible after detachment, the connector elements being adapted to effect a non-frictional mechanical interlock between the connectible elements thereof; wherein the separation of the connected guidewire and extension requires simultaneous rotation and axial separation of the connected elements.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 116 words
A guidewire for use with a catheter and an extension for the guidewire for enabling multiple catheter exchanges comprising: a guidewire having a proximal end and a distal end an extension wire having a proximal end and a distal end; cooperative self-latching connector elements on the proximal end of the guidewire and the distal end of the extension wire for detachably connecting the guidewire and extension wire, said connector elements being so constructed and arranged as to be reconnectible after detachment, the connector elements being adapted to effect a non-frictional mechanical interlock between the connectible elements thereof; wherein the separation of the connected guidewire and extension requires simultaneous rotation and axial separation of the connected elements.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 20 words
A guidewire and extension therefor as defined in claim 14 wherein the connector elements further comprise an axially telescoping construction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 44 words
A guidewire and extension therefor as defined in claim 15 wherein the guidewire is provided with a socket at its proximal end and the extension wire has a self-latching latch member at its distal end, the self-latching latch member being received within the socket.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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US2105330A Cited
US2356835A Cited
US3517184A Cited
US3515027A Cited
US3674014A Cited
US3888598A Cited
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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) 1995-07-28 1996-01-27 1996-07-28 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-07-28 2000-01-27 2000-07-28 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-07-28 2004-01-27 2004-07-28 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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