Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to multi-segment intraluminal guide wires including an elongate distal portion comprising a first metallic material (e.g., nitinol), an elongate proximal portion comprising a second metallic material (e.g., stainless steel). The distal and proximal portions may be directly joined together end to end by a solid-state weld joint. A diameter of the weld region surrounding the weld joint on either side of the weld joint may be reduced (e.g., ground down) relative to the diameter of the distal and proximal portions of the guide wire on either side of the weld region. A stiffness adjusting sleeve may be disposed over the weld joint so that a transition profile of bending stiffness across the weld region is gradual, rather than abrupt across the distal portion of the guide wire to the proximal portion of the guide wire. A polymer jacket may cover the sleeve and distal portion.
Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to multi-segment intraluminal guide wires including an elongate distal portion comprising a first metallic material (e.g., nitinol), an elongate proximal portion comprising a second metallic material (e.g., stainless steel). The distal and proximal portions may be directly joined together end to end by a solid-state weld joint. A diameter of the weld region surrounding the weld joint on either side of the weld joint may be reduced (e.g., ground down) relative to the diameter of the distal and proximal portions of the guide wire on either side of the weld region. A stiffness adjusting sleeve may be disposed over the weld joint so that a transition profile of bending stiffness across the weld region is gradual, rather than abrupt across the distal portion of the guide wire to the proximal portion of the guide wire. A polymer jacket may cover the sleeve and distal portion.
Abstract:
Multilayer balloon for a catheter comprises a first layer of a first elastomeric polymeric material, and a second layer of a second elastomeric polymeric material having a lower maximum blow up ratio (BUR) than the first elastomeric polymeric material and being an outer layer relative to the first layer. The multilayer balloon is formed by blow-molding such that the multilayer balloon is blown, in at least a first stage, to a final working radial dimension, wherein an area draw-down ratio (ADDR) of 2.0 for the multilayer balloon is targeted.
Abstract:
Embodiments are directed to radiopaque implantable structures (e.g., stents) formed of cobalt-based alloys that comprise cobalt, chromium and one or more platinum group metals, refractory metals, precious metals, or combinations thereof. Platinum group metals include platinum, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, and iridium. Refractory metals include zirconium, niobium, rhodium, molybdenum, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, and precious metals include silver and gold. In one embodiment, the one or more included platinum group or refractory metals substitute at least partially for nickel, such that the alloy exhibits reduced nickel content, or is substantially nickel free. The stents exhibit improved radiopacity as compared to similar alloys including greater amounts of nickel.
Abstract:
Balloon catheter includes an elongate tubular shaft having an outer tubular member having proximal and distal portions, and an inner tubular member having a distal length extending distally from the distal portion of the outer tubular member. The elongate tubular shaft has an inflation lumen and a guidewire lumen defined therein. The guidewire lumen extends along at least the distal length of inner tubular member. The balloon catheter also includes a distal end section coupled to a distal end of the inner tubular member and having a proximal end and a distal end. The balloon catheter also includes a balloon having a proximal portion sealingly coupled to the distal portion of the outer tubular member, a distal portion sealingly coupled to the distal end section, and a working length therebetween. The balloon defines an inner chamber. The proximal end of the distal end section is disposed within the inner chamber.
Abstract:
Method of making a balloon catheter includes melt-extruding a thermoplastic polymeric material into a tube, cooling the extruded tube, placing the extruded tube within a capture member and biaxially orienting the polymeric material of the extruded tube while simultaneously tapering at least a section of the extruded tube by radially expanding the extruded tube with pressurized media in the tube lumen and axially expanding the extruded tube with an external load applied on at least one end of the tube as an external heat supply traverses longitudinally from a first end to a second end of the extruded tube in the capture member, wherein an overall axial load on the tubing is varied as at least a section of the tube is heated. The method includes cooling the expanded tube to form a tapered biaxially oriented nonporous thermoplastic polymer tubular member and sealingly securing a balloon proximate a distal end of the tubular member.
Abstract:
Guide wires including a guide wire tip portion including a distal tip portion and a proximal tip portion, where the tip portion includes a circular cross-section and substantially constant diameter along both a linear elastic distal tip portion and a superelastic proximal tip portion. Methods for manufacture include providing a superelastic wire (e.g., nitinol) including a length so as to define both a distal tip portion and a proximal tip portion. The distal tip portion is cold worked, without imparting significant cold work to the proximal tip portion, to provide linear elastic properties within the distal tip portion, while the proximal tip portion maintains superelastic properties. The tip portion is ground or otherwise reduced in cross-sectional thickness after cold working of the distal tip portion, so as to provide a circular cross-section having a desired substantially constant diameter along both the distal tip portion and the proximal tip portion.
Abstract:
An intravascular guide wire having two core materials joined together without the use of a connector tube or sleeve, the core materials being stainless steel and psuedoelastic metal alloy, nitinol. The core materials are joined to each other through an intermediate transition piece made essentially of nickel, which is welded on either side to the two core materials. In a multi-segment intravascular guide wire, discrete, high modulus and medium modulus core portions of different materials are welded to a shapeable, low modulus distal core portion made of a third material having a flattened, shapeable section at a most distal end that is not welded to but made from the distal core portion, so the flattened, shapeable section can be deformed to create a steerable tip. Processes such as simultaneous resistance and friction welding can be used to join the core portions.
Abstract:
Balloon catheter includes an elongate tubular shaft having an outer tubular member having proximal and distal portions, and an inner tubular member having a distal length extending distally from the distal portion of the outer tubular member. The elongate tubular shaft has an inflation lumen and a guidewire lumen defined therein. The guidewire lumen extends along at least the distal length of inner tubular member. The balloon catheter also includes a distal end section coupled to a distal end of the inner tubular member and having a proximal end and a distal end. The balloon catheter also includes a balloon having a proximal portion sealingly coupled to the distal portion of the outer tubular member, a distal portion sealingly coupled to the distal end section, and a working length therebetween. The balloon defines an inner chamber. The proximal end of the distal end section is disposed within the inner chamber.
Abstract:
Embodiments are directed to radiopaque implantable structures (e.g., stents) formed of cobalt-based alloys that comprise cobalt, chromium, tungsten, and nickel, and methods for their manufacture. Tungsten is present above its solubility limit (about 15%) at ambient temperature, but is still only present as a super-saturated, primarily single-phase material exhibiting an FCC microcrystalline structure.