Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for facilitating catheter exchange in the vascular system of a patient, which comprises: a flexible guidewire member for introduction into the vascular system of the patient, said flexible guidewire having first magnetic attraction means along a length of said guidewire member that is adapted to remain outside of the patient's body; said first magnetic attraction means comprising ferromagnetic material; a catheter adapted for advancement over said guidewire member; second magnetic attraction means for positioning outside the patient's body in close proximity to said first magnetic attraction means to retain said guidewire member in position via magnetic force, whereby said catheter may be withdrawn over said guidewire member while said guidewire member is retained in position in the vascular system of the patient, via magnetic force.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for facilitating catheter exchange in the vascular system of a patient, which comprises: a flexible guidewire member for introduction into the vascular system of the patient, said flexible guidewire having first magnetic attraction means along a length of said guidewire member that is adapted to remain outside of the patient's body; said first magnetic attraction means comprising ferromagnetic material; a catheter adapted for advancement over said guidewire member; second magnetic attraction means for positioning outside the patient's body in close proximity to said first magnetic attraction means to retain said guidewire member in position via magnetic force, whereby said catheter may be withdrawn over said guidewire member while said guidewire member is retained in position in the vascular system of the patient, via magnetic force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
127 words
Apparatus for facilitating catheter exchange in the vascular system of a patient, which comprises: a flexible guidewire member for introduction into the vascular system of the patient, said flexible guidewire having first magnetic attraction means along a length of said guidewire member that is adapted to remain outside of the patient's body; said first magnetic attraction means comprising permanent magnetic material; a catheter adapted for advancement over said guidewire member; second magnetic attraction means for positioning outside the patient's body in close proximity to said first magnetic attraction means to retain said guidewire member in position via magnetic force, whereby said catheter may be withdrawn over said guidewire member while said guidewire member is retained in position in the vascular system of the patient, via magnetic force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
127 words
Apparatus for facilitating catheter exchange in the vascular system of a patient, which comprises: a flexible guidewire member for introduction into the vascular system of the patient, said flexible guidewire having first magnetic attraction means along a length of said guidewire member that is adapted to remain outside of the patient's body; said first magnetic attraction means comprising permanent magnetic material; a catheter adapted for advancement over said guidewire member; second magnetic attraction means for positioning outside the patient's body in close proximity to said first magnetic attraction means to retain said guidewire member in position via magnetic force, whereby said catheter may be withdrawn over said guidewire member while said guidewire member is retained in position in the vascular system of the patient, via magnetic force.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
130 words
Apparatus for facilitating catheter exchange in the vascular system of a patient, which comprises: a flexible guidewire member for introduction into the vascular system of the patient, said flexible guidewire having first magnetic attraction means along a length of said guidewire member that is adapted to remain outside of the patient's body; said first magnetic attraction means comprising a plurality of spaced ferromagnetic segments; a catheter adapted for advancement over said guidewire member; second magnetic attraction means for positioning outside the patient's body in close proximity to said first magnetic attraction means to retain said guidewire member in position via magnetic force, whereby said catheter may be withdrawn over said guidewire member while said guidewire member is retained in position in the vascular system of the patient, via magnetic force.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
130 words
Apparatus for facilitating catheter exchange in the vascular system of a patient, which comprises: a flexible guidewire member for introduction into the vascular system of the patient, said flexible guidewire having first magnetic attraction means along a length of said guidewire member that is adapted to remain outside of the patient's body; said first magnetic attraction means comprising a plurality of spaced ferromagnetic segments; a catheter adapted for advancement over said guidewire member; second magnetic attraction means for positioning outside the patient's body in close proximity to said first magnetic attraction means to retain said guidewire member in position via magnetic force, whereby said catheter may be withdrawn over said guidewire member while said guidewire member is retained in position in the vascular system of the patient, via magnetic force.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for facilitating catheter exchange in the vascular system of a patient, which comprises: a flexible guidewire member for introduction into the vascular system of the patient, said flexible guidewire having first magnetic attraction means along a length of said guidewire member that is adapted to remain outside of the patient's body; said first magnetic attraction means comprising a plurality of spaced permanent magnet segments; a catheter adapted for advancement over said guidewire member; second magnetic attraction means for positioning outside the patient's body in close proximity to said first magnetic attraction means to retain said guidewire member in position via magnetic force, whereby said catheter may be withdrawn over said guidewire member while said guidewire member is retained in position in the vascular system of the patient, via magnetic force.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for facilitating catheter exchange in the vascular system of a patient, which comprises: a flexible guidewire member for introduction into the vascular system of the patient, said flexible guidewire having first magnetic attraction means along a length of said guidewire member that is adapted to remain outside of the patient's body; said first magnetic attraction means comprising a plurality of spaced permanent magnet segments; a catheter adapted for advancement over said guidewire member; second magnetic attraction means for positioning outside the patient's body in close proximity to said first magnetic attraction means to retain said guidewire member in position via magnetic force, whereby said catheter may be withdrawn over said guidewire member while said guidewire member is retained in position in the vascular system of the patient, via magnetic force.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
127 words
Apparatus for facilitating catheter exchange in the vascular system of a patient, which comprises: a flexible guidewire member for introduction into the vascular system of the patient, said flexible guidewire having first magnetic attraction means along a length of said guidewire member that is adapted to remain outside of the patient's body; a catheter adapted for advancement over said guidewire member; second magnetic attraction means for positioning outside the patient's body in close proximity to said first magnetic attraction means to retain said guidewire member in position via magnetic force, said second magnetic attraction means comprising a permanent magnet; whereby said catheter may be withdrawn over said guidewire member while said guidewire member is retained in position in the vascular system of the patient, via magnetic force.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
127 words
Apparatus for facilitating catheter exchange in the vascular system of a patient, which comprises: a flexible guidewire member for introduction into the vascular system of the patient, said flexible guidewire having first magnetic attraction means along a length of said guidewire member that is adapted to remain outside of the patient's body; a catheter adapted for advancement over said guidewire member; second magnetic attraction means for positioning outside the patient's body in close proximity to said first magnetic attraction means to retain said guidewire member in position via magnetic force, said second magnetic attraction means comprising a permanent magnet; whereby said catheter may be withdrawn over said guidewire member while said guidewire member is retained in position in the vascular system of the patient, via magnetic force.