US5427118A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic guidewire
Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc
•
Filing: 1993-10-04
•
Granted: 1995-06-27
•
Expires: 2013-10-04
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasonic guidewire insertable into a mammalian body for purposes of guiding a medical catheter, scope or other medical device into the body and, additionally, connectable to an external ultrasound generating source to transmit ultrasonic energy into the body. The invention includes methods of using the ultrasonic guidewire for purposes of ablating obstructive matter in a blood vessel or other body cavity and/or for delivering ultrasonic energy to treat vasospasm or muscular spasms within the body.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry Nita
- 👤 Douglas H. Gesswein
- 👤 John H. Wang
- 👤 Timothy C. Mills
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:11
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B17/22004; A61B17/22012; A61B2017/22038; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/09; A61M25/09041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
An ultrasonic guidewire device comprising: a) an elongate guidewire body comprising: i) an elongate proximal wire segment having a proximal end and a distal end; ii) at least one distal wire segment extending longitudinally from the distal end of said proximal wire segment, said at least one distal wire segment having a cross-sectional dimension which is smaller than the cross-sectional dimension of said elongate proximal wire segment, and wherein the cross-sectional dimensions of the distal wire segments are no greater than 0.3 mm; and iii) an outer wire coil helically wound around said at least one distal wire segment; and b) a proximal connector apparatus mountable on the proximal end of said guidewire body to couple said guidewire body to an ultrasound source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
An ultrasonic guidewire device comprising: a) an elongate guidewire body comprising: i) an elongate proximal wire segment having a proximal end and a distal end; ii) at least one distal wire segment extending longitudinally from the distal end of said proximal wire segment, said at least one distal wire segment having a cross-sectional dimension which is smaller than the cross-sectional dimension of said elongate proximal wire segment, and wherein the cross-sectional dimensions of the distal wire segments are no greater than 0.3 mm; and iii) an outer wire coil helically wound around said at least one distal wire segment; and b) a proximal connector apparatus mountable on the proximal end of said guidewire body to couple said guidewire body to an ultrasound source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
117 words
The ultrasonic guidewire of claim 1 wherein said at least one distal wire segment comprises: a first distal wire segment having a proximal end and a distal end, said first distal wire segment extending longitudinally from the distal end of said proximal wire member, said first distal wire segment having a first cross-sectional dimension smaller than the cross-sectional dimension of said proximal wire member; a second distal wire segment having a proximal end and a distal end, said second distal wire segment extending longitudinally from the distal end of said first distal wire segment, said second distal wire segment having a second cross-section dimension smaller than the said first cross-section dimension of said first distal wire segment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
The ultrasonic guidewire of claim 2 wherein said at least one distal wire segment further comprises: a third distal wire segment having a proximal end and a distal end, said third distal wire segment extending longitudinally from the distal end of said second distal wire segment, said third distal wire segment having a third cross-sectional dimension smaller than the said second cross-sectional dimension of said second distal wire segment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The ultrasonic guidewire of claim 2 wherein there exists a sharp non-tapered transition from the cross-sectional dimension of said proximal wire member to the first cross-sectional dimension of said first distal wire segment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The ultrasonic guidewire of claim 2 wherein there exists a gradual-tapered transition from the cross-sectional dimension of said proximal wire member to the first cross-sectional dimension of said first distal wire segment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The ultrasonic guidewire of claim 2 wherein there exists a sharp non-tapered transition from the first cross-sectional dimension of said first distal wire segment and the second cross-sectional dimension of said second distal wire segment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The ultrasonic guidewire of claim 2 wherein there exists a gradual-tapered transition from the first cross-sectional dimension of said first distal wire segment and the second cross-sectional dimension of said second distal wire segment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The ultrasonic guidewire of claim 3 wherein there exists a sharp non-tapered transition from the second cross-sectional dimension of said second distal wire segment and the third cross-sectional dimension of said third distal wire segment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The ultrasonic guidewire of claim 3 wherein there exists a gradual-tapered transition from the second cross-sectional dimension of said second distal wire segment and the third cross-sectional dimension of said third distal wire segment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
77 words
The ultrasonic guidewire of claim 1 wherein said at least one distal wire segment comprises: a single tapered distal wire segment having a proximal and a distal end, said single tapered distal wire segment extending longitudinally from the distal end of said proximal wire segment having a gradually reduced cross-sectional dimension such that the cross-sectional dimension at the distal end of said single tapered distal wire segment smaller than the cross-sectional dimension of said proximal wire segment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ultrasonic guidewire of claim 1 wherein said outer wire coil is of substantially continuous diameter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ultrasonic guidewire of claim 1 further comprising a blunt distal tip member on the distal end of said guidewire body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The ultrasonic guidewire of claim 12 wherein the distal-most portions of said at least one distal wire segment and said surrounding outer coil are melted together to comprise said blunt distal tip member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ultrasonic guidewire of claim 1 wherein said elongate proximal wire member is 20-150 cm. in length.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ultrasonic guidewire of claim 1 wherein said at least one distal wire segment is 1-40 cm. in length.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ultrasonic guidewire of claim 15 wherein said outer wire coil is 1-40 cm. in length and substantially coextensive with said at least one distal wire segment.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ultrasonic guidewire of claim 1 wherein said proximal connector apparatus is removable from the proximal end of said guidewire.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
57 words
The ultrasonic guidewire of claim 1 wherein said proximal connector apparatus comprises a connector member tightenable on the proximal end of said guidewire body so as to grippingly attach to the proximal end of said guidewire body, said connector member having a threaded distal portion thereon, said distal portion being threadably engageable with a separate ultrasound source.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
The ultrasonic guidewire of claim 1 further in combination with an ultrasound source, said ultrasound source comprising: an electrical signal generator; and an ultrasound transducer coupled to said electrical signal generator; said ultrasound transducer being operative to convert an electrical signal received from said signal generator into ultrasonic energy.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ultrasonic guidewire of claim 1 wherein the elongate guidewire body is made from a nickel-titanium alloy.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
279 words
A method for percutaneous transluminal treatment of an obstruction in an anatomical passageway to improve the patency of said anatomical passageway, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing a treatment apparatus which is transluminally advanceable through said passageway and which is operable to effect patency improving treatment of said obstruction; b) providing an ultrasonic guidewire having a proximal end and a distal end, said guidewire being coupleable to an ultrasound generating device such that ultrasonic energy from said ultrasound generating device will pass through said ultrasonic guidewire to the distal end thereof, said guidewire further comprising: (i) at least one distal wire segment extending longitudinally from the distal end of said proximal wire segment, said at least one distal wire segment having a cross-sectional diameter which is smaller than the cross-sectional diameter of said proximal wire segment, and wherein the cross-sectional diameters of the distal wire segments are no greater than 0.3 mm; and (ii) an outer wire coil helically wound around said at least one distal wire segment; c) providing an ultrasound generating device coupleable to said ultrasonic guidewire; d) inserting said ultrasonic guidewire, distal end first, into said anatomical passageway; e) advancing said ultrasonic guidewire to a point where the distal end of said ultrasonic guidewire is near said obstruction; f) utilizing said ultrasound generating device to pass ultrasonic energy through said ultrasonic guidewire while concommitantly advancing the distal end of said guidewire through said obstruction so as to create a passageway through said obstruction; g) subsequently advancing said treatment apparatus over said guidewire and into the passageway created through said obstruction; and h) utilizing said treatment apparatus to effect patency improving treatment of said obstruction.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
279 words
A method for percutaneous transluminal treatment of an obstruction in an anatomical passageway to improve the patency of said anatomical passageway, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing a treatment apparatus which is transluminally advanceable through said passageway and which is operable to effect patency improving treatment of said obstruction; b) providing an ultrasonic guidewire having a proximal end and a distal end, said guidewire being coupleable to an ultrasound generating device such that ultrasonic energy from said ultrasound generating device will pass through said ultrasonic guidewire to the distal end thereof, said guidewire further comprising: (i) at least one distal wire segment extending longitudinally from the distal end of said proximal wire segment, said at least one distal wire segment having a cross-sectional diameter which is smaller than the cross-sectional diameter of said proximal wire segment, and wherein the cross-sectional diameters of the distal wire segments are no greater than 0.3 mm; and (ii) an outer wire coil helically wound around said at least one distal wire segment; c) providing an ultrasound generating device coupleable to said ultrasonic guidewire; d) inserting said ultrasonic guidewire, distal end first, into said anatomical passageway; e) advancing said ultrasonic guidewire to a point where the distal end of said ultrasonic guidewire is near said obstruction; f) utilizing said ultrasound generating device to pass ultrasonic energy through said ultrasonic guidewire while concommitantly advancing the distal end of said guidewire through said obstruction so as to create a passageway through said obstruction; g) subsequently advancing said treatment apparatus over said guidewire and into the passageway created through said obstruction; and h) utilizing said treatment apparatus to effect patency improving treatment of said obstruction.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said passageway is a blood vessel and wherein said obstruction is atherosclerotic plaque.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said passageway is a blood vessel and wherein said obstruction is thrombus.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said treatment device comprises a balloon angioplasty catheter and wherein step (h) further comprises: positioning the balloon of said balloon angioplasty catheter within the passageway created by said ultrasonic guidewire; and utilizing said balloon angioplasty catheter to dilate said obstruction.
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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) | 1998-06-26 | 1998-12-26 | 1999-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-06-26 | 2002-12-26 | 2003-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-06-26 | 2006-12-26 | 2007-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |