US6579246B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coronary guidewire system
Assignee: Sarcos Group LC
•
Filing: 2000-12-22
•
Granted: 2003-06-17
•
Expires: 2020-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A guidewire system configured for introduction into a body lumen, comprising a core wire having proximal end and a distal end and a tapering profile, and a micromachined tube coupled to the core wire, and a joint where the micromachined tube is joined to the core wire; the location of the joint being at a location on the tapering profile where the torsional force which can be transferred by the core wire and the micromachined tubing are substantially the same.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen C. Jacobsen
- 👤 Clark C. Davis
- 👤 David L. Wells
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:17
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/09; A61M25/0021; A61M2025/0042; A61M2025/09175; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0133; A61M25/0138; A61M25/09016; A61M25/09033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 59
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A guidewire system, wherein a guidewire is configured for introduction into a body lumen, comprising: a core wire having a proximal end, a distal end, and a tapering profile; a micromachined tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the micromachined tube being coupled to the core wire; a joint coupling the micromachined tube to the core wire; the location of the joint being at a location on the tapering profile where the torsional force which can be transmitted by the core wire and the torsional force which can be transmitted by the micromachined tube are substantially the same.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A guidewire system, wherein a guidewire is configured for introduction into a body lumen, comprising: a core wire having a proximal end, a distal end, and a tapering profile; a micromachined tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the micromachined tube being coupled to the core wire; a joint coupling the micromachined tube to the core wire; the location of the joint being at a location on the tapering profile where the torsional force which can be transmitted by the core wire and the torsional force which can be transmitted by the micromachined tube are substantially the same.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A guidewire system as in claim 1 wherein the micromachined tube further comprises a plurality of axial beams and a plurality of transverse beams.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A guidewire system as in claim 2 , wherein the axial beams and the transverse beams are configured so that a maximum torsional strain is substantially the same both in the axial beams and the transverse beams.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A guidewire system as in claim 2 , wherein the axial beams and the transverse beams are configured so that a resistance to fatigue failure is substantially the same in both the axial beams and the transverse beams.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A guidewire system as in claim 4 , wherein the micromachined tube further comprises a polished surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A guidewire system as in claim 4 , wherein corners of the beams are rounded so as to reduce stress concentrations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A guidewire system as in claim 5 , wherein the micromachined tube is electropolished.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A guidewire system as in claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the micromachined tube is located adjacent the joint.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A guidewire system as in claim 8 , wherein the core wire extends distally of the joint and the distal end of the core wire is coupled to the micromachined tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A guidewire system as in claim 9 , wherein the core wire and the micromachined tube are joined at their respective distal ends.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
A guidewire system as in claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of axial beams and a plurality of transverse beams configured so that a maximum torsional strain is substantially the same in both the axial beams and the transverse beams.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A guidewire system as in claim 11 , wherein resistance to fatigue failure is substantially the same in the axial and transverse beams.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A guidewire system as in claim 1 , further comprising a coil disposed between the core wire and the micromachined tube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A guidewire system as in claim 1 , wherein the micromachined tube is configured so its lateral flexibility varies with position along its length.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A guidewire system as in claim 14 , wherein the flexibility of the micromachined tube increases toward its distal end.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A guidewire system as in claim 14 , where the flexibility of the micromachined tube sequentially increases, then decreases, then increases with a change in position along its length.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A guidewire system as in claim 1 , wherein the joint is located intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the micromachined tube.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
59 words
A guidewire system as in claim 1 , wherein the guidewire further comprises a proximal coil having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal coil being disposed over the core wire and coupled thereto at the proximal end of the proximal coil, at least a portion of the proximal coil being disposed proximally of the micromachined tube.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
A guidewire system as in claim 18 , wherein at least a portion of the proximal wire adjacent its distal end is disposed between the micromachined tube and the core wire.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
A guidewire system as in claim 19 , further comprising a medial coil, said medial coil having a proximal end and a distal end, said medial coil being disposed between the micromachined tube and the core wire.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
67 words
A guidewire system as in claim 20 , wherein the medial coil has an unwound portion adjacent its proximal end and the proximal coil has an unwound portion adjacent its distal end, said unwound portions of the respective medial and proximal coils overlapping and being wound together to provide a mechanical interlock between the proximal coil and the medial coil, the micromachined tube overlaying the overlapping portions.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
A guidewire system as in claim 21 , where the overlapping portions are located adjacent the joint.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
40 words
A guidewire system as in claim 22 , further comprising a distal coil, the distal coil being coupled to the medial coil and to the core wire, the distal coil being disposed between the core wire and the micromachined tube.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
52 words
A guidewire system as in claim 1 , wherein the core wire has a first outer diameter along a substantial portion of its length, and the micromachined tube has an outer diameter substantially the same as the first outer diameter of the core wire over at least a portion of its length.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
70 words
A guidewire system as in claim 1 , further comprising a proximal coil disposed over the core wire proximal of the micromachined tube, the core wire having a first outer diameter along a substantial portion of its length, the proximal coil having substantially the same outer diameter as the first outer diameter of the core wire, and the micromachined tube having substantially the same outer diameter as the proximal coil.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
128 words
A guidewire system, wherein a guidewire is configured for introduction into a body lumen, comprising: a core wire having a proximal end and a distal end and a tapering profile including a transition where a diameter of the core wire changes from a first outer diameter proximally to a second smaller outer diameter distally; a micromachined tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the micromachined tube being coupled to the core wire adjacent the transition; a joint coupling the micromachined tube to the core wire; a location of the joint being adjacent the transition, and wherein the torsional force which can be transmitted by the core wire and the torsional force which can be transmitted by the micromachined tube are substantially the same adjacent the joint.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
128 words
A guidewire system, wherein a guidewire is configured for introduction into a body lumen, comprising: a core wire having a proximal end and a distal end and a tapering profile including a transition where a diameter of the core wire changes from a first outer diameter proximally to a second smaller outer diameter distally; a micromachined tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the micromachined tube being coupled to the core wire adjacent the transition; a joint coupling the micromachined tube to the core wire; a location of the joint being adjacent the transition, and wherein the torsional force which can be transmitted by the core wire and the torsional force which can be transmitted by the micromachined tube are substantially the same adjacent the joint.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
38 words
A guidewire system as in claim 26 , wherein the core wire has a first outer diameter proximal of the joint and wherein the micromachined tube has an outer diameter substantially the same as the first outer diameter.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
79 words
A guidewire system as in claim 26 , wherein the guidewire further comprises a proximal coil having a proximal end and a distal end, and the core wire having a proximal transition located proximal to the transition adjacent the joint, the proximal end of the proximal coil being coupled to the core wire adjacent the proximal transition and the distal end being adjacent the joint, whereby the outer diameter of the guidewire is substantially the same along the guidewire.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
50 words
A guidewire system as in claim 27 , wherein the proximal coil further comprises a portion adjacent its distal end having a smaller outer diameter than the first outer diameter, the micromachined tube overlying at least a portion of the proximal coil adjacent the distal end of the proximal coil.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
A guidewire system as in claim 26 , wherein the micromachined tube further comprises a plurality of axial beams and a plurality of transverse beams.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
36 words
A guidewire system as in claim 29 , wherein the axial beams and the transverse beams are configured so that a maximum torsional strain is substantially the same in both the axial and the transverse beams.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
A guidewire system as in claim 29 , wherein the axial beams and the transverse beams are configured so that a resistance to fatigue failure is substantially the same in the axial and the transverse beams.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
A guidewire system as in claim 31 , wherein the micromachined tube further comprises a polished surface.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
A guidewire system as in claim 29 , wherein the corners of the beams are rounded so as to reduce stress concentrations.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
31 words
A guidewire system as in claim 26 , wherein the core wire extends distally of the joint and the distal end of the core wire is coupled to the micromachined tube.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
A guidewire system as in claim 34 , wherein the core wire and the micromachined tube are joined at their respective distal ends.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
38 words
A guidewire system as in claim 26 , further comprising plurality of axial beams and a plurality of transverse beams configured so that a maximum torsional strain is substantially the same in the axial and the transverse beams.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
A guidewire system as in claim 37 , wherein resistance to fatigue failure is substantially the same in the axial and transverse beams.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
A guidewire system as in claim 26 , wherein the micromachined tube is configured so its lateral flexibility varies with position along its length.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
58 words
A guidewire system as in claim 26 , wherein the guidewire further comprises a proximal coil having a proximal end and a distal end, the coil being disposed over the core wire and coupled thereto at the proximal end of the proximal coil, at least a portion of the proximal coil being disposed proximally of the micromachined tube.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
37 words
A guidewire system as in claim 28 , further comprising a medial coil, said medial coil having a proximal end and a distal end, said medial coil being disposed between the micromachined tube and the core wire.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
61 words
A guidewire system as in claim 41 , wherein the medial coil has a proximal unwound portion adjacent its proximal end and the proximal coil has an unwound portion adjacent its distal end, said unwound portions overlapping and being wound together to provide a mechanical interlock between the proximal coil and the medial coil, the micromachined tube overlaying the overlapping portions.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
17 words
A guidewire system as in claim 42 , where the overlapping portions are located adjacent the joint.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
40 words
A guidewire system as in claim 43 , further comprising a distal coil, the distal coil being coupled to the medial coil and to the core wire, the distal coil being disposed between the core wire and the micromachined tube.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
202 words
A guidewire system, the guidewire being configured for guideably traversing a body lumen, comprising: a core wire having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer diameter, and a transition intermediate the proximal and distal ends where the outer diameter changes from a larger diameter proximally to a smaller diameter distally; a micromachined tube having a proximal end and a distal end, said micromachined tube further comprising a plurality of axial beams and a plurality of transverse beams, the beams being configured so that resistance to fatigue failure of the axial beams and of adjacent transverse beams is substantially the same, the micromachined tube being disposed over the core wire and coupled to the core wire adjacent the transition; the core wire having a capacity to transmit torsional force that is substantially the same as a capacity to transmit torsional force of the micromachined tube adjacent the transition; whereby the capacity of the guidewire to transmit torsional forces is substantially maintained from that of the core wire proximal of the transition to that distal of the transition where the core wire has a smaller outer diameter and at least a portion of the torsion forces are carried by the micromachined tube.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
202 words
A guidewire system, the guidewire being configured for guideably traversing a body lumen, comprising: a core wire having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer diameter, and a transition intermediate the proximal and distal ends where the outer diameter changes from a larger diameter proximally to a smaller diameter distally; a micromachined tube having a proximal end and a distal end, said micromachined tube further comprising a plurality of axial beams and a plurality of transverse beams, the beams being configured so that resistance to fatigue failure of the axial beams and of adjacent transverse beams is substantially the same, the micromachined tube being disposed over the core wire and coupled to the core wire adjacent the transition; the core wire having a capacity to transmit torsional force that is substantially the same as a capacity to transmit torsional force of the micromachined tube adjacent the transition; whereby the capacity of the guidewire to transmit torsional forces is substantially maintained from that of the core wire proximal of the transition to that distal of the transition where the core wire has a smaller outer diameter and at least a portion of the torsion forces are carried by the micromachined tube.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
42 words
A guidewire system as in claim 45 , wherein the core wire extends distally of the transition to the distal end of the micromachined tube and wherein the micromachined tube is coupled to the core wire adjacent the distal end of each.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
35 words
A guidewire system as in claim 46 , further comprising a proximal coil having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal coil being disposed over the core wire proximally of the micromachined tube.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
59 words
A guidewire system as in claim 47 , further comprising a proximal transition, and wherein the proximal end of the proximal coil is coupled to the core wire adjacent the proximal transition, and the distal end of the proximal coil is coupled to the core wire adjacent the transition where the micromachined tube is coupled to the core wire.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
31 words
A guidewire system as in claim 48 , wherein an outer diameter of the guidewire is not substantially increased along the length thereof from the proximal end to the distal end.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
41 words
A guidewire system as in claim 45 , wherein the axial beams and the transverse beams are configured so that a maximum strain occurring in either of the axial or transverse beams from torsion and bending forces is substantially the same.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of enhancing performance of a coronary guidewire is given by undertaking steps comprising: providing a micromachined tube, said tube having a plurality of axial beams and a plurality of transverse beams; configuring the micromachined tube so that a maximum strain induced in the axial beams from torsion and bending of the micromachined tube is substantially the same as that in the transverse beams; providing a core wire having a diameter profile and a transition from a first diameter proximally to a second smaller diameter distally, coupling the micromachined tube to the core wire adjacent the transition; selecting diameters of the profile and the position of the coupling of the micromachined tube to the core wire so that a torque transmission capacity of the core wire is substantially the same as a torque transmission capacity of the micromachined tube adjacent the location of the coupling.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of enhancing performance of a coronary guidewire is given by undertaking steps comprising: providing a micromachined tube, said tube having a plurality of axial beams and a plurality of transverse beams; configuring the micromachined tube so that a maximum strain induced in the axial beams from torsion and bending of the micromachined tube is substantially the same as that in the transverse beams; providing a core wire having a diameter profile and a transition from a first diameter proximally to a second smaller diameter distally, coupling the micromachined tube to the core wire adjacent the transition; selecting diameters of the profile and the position of the coupling of the micromachined tube to the core wire so that a torque transmission capacity of the core wire is substantially the same as a torque transmission capacity of the micromachined tube adjacent the location of the coupling.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
148 words
A guidewire system wherein improvement of performance of a coronary guidewire is given by undertaking steps comprising: providing a micromachined tube, said tube having a plurality of axial beams and a plurality of transverse beams; configuring the micromachined tube so that resistance to fatigue failure of an axial beam from torsion and bending of the micromachined tube is substantially the same as an adjacent in transverse beams; providing a core wire having a diameter profile and a transition from a first diameter proximally to a second smaller diameter distally, coupling the micromachined tube to the core wire adjacent the transition; selecting diameters of the profile and the position of the coupling of the micromachined tube to the core wire so that a torque transmission capacity of the core wire is substantially the same as a torque transmission capacity of the micromachined tube adjacent the location of the coupling.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
148 words
A guidewire system wherein improvement of performance of a coronary guidewire is given by undertaking steps comprising: providing a micromachined tube, said tube having a plurality of axial beams and a plurality of transverse beams; configuring the micromachined tube so that resistance to fatigue failure of an axial beam from torsion and bending of the micromachined tube is substantially the same as an adjacent in transverse beams; providing a core wire having a diameter profile and a transition from a first diameter proximally to a second smaller diameter distally, coupling the micromachined tube to the core wire adjacent the transition; selecting diameters of the profile and the position of the coupling of the micromachined tube to the core wire so that a torque transmission capacity of the core wire is substantially the same as a torque transmission capacity of the micromachined tube adjacent the location of the coupling.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
21 words
A guidewire system as in claim 52 , further comprising the step of rounding corners of the axial and transverse beams.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
17 words
A guidewire system as in claim 53 , further comprising the step of polishing the micromachined tube.
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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) | 2006-06-16 | 2006-12-16 | 2007-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-06-16 | 2010-12-16 | 2011-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-06-16 | 2014-12-16 | 2015-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |