Abstract:
A spring action medical device includes a spring that may propel a hammer component in a distal direction when the spring is released from a loaded state. When propelled forward by the spring, the hammer component makes contact with a distal tip of the medical device. The distal tip may then transfer a force to an external object, such as an occlusion in a body lumen.
Abstract:
A percutaneous guidewire comprising a distal end portion that is pre-formed in a curve that turns through more than 270 degrees. The stiffness of the guidewire may decrease continuously along the length of the curved distal end portion towards the tip of the guidewire and the radius of curvature of the curved distal end portion may also decrease towards the tip of the guidewire.
Abstract:
A guidewire assembly (266) for use in deploying a bifurcated endoluminal vascular prosthesis (50) that has a main graft portion (52) and at least a first branch graft portion (54). The guidewire assembly include a hollow guidewire sheath (268) having a restraint mechanism (274), such as a tubular sheath, for constraining a branch graft portion of the vascular prosthesis and an inner core wire (270) that is slidably insertable into a central lumen of the hollow guidewire sheath. In use, the guidewire assembly may be used with a deployment catheter (120) to deploy the bifurcated vascular prosthesis (50) and leave the inner core wire (270) in position in the patient's aorta, extending through the main graft portion of the vascular prosthesis.
Abstract:
A steerable wire-guide (10) comprises a longitudinal axis and an elongate member (12). The elongate member comprises a leading portion and a body portion. The leading portion comprises a loop (22) and the body portion comprises a firstwire (26) and a second wire (28). The first and second wire are movable relative to each other such that relative movement of the first wire with respect to the second wire directs the leading portion in a first direction, which is at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, and relative movement of the second wire with respect to the first wire directs the leading portion in a second direction different from the first direction.
Abstract:
An improved endoluminal device. The device includes at least a control element (such as a guide wire) connected to a surrounding sheath and an elastic bias section to control changes to a bias force formed between the control element and the sheath. By applying an external force at a proximal end of the device, the shape can change between varying degrees of deformed shapes and an undeformed shape. In this way, both ease of insertion into the body lumen and anchoring to the lumen is promoted. A distal end of the assembly can be made to change shape for improved steerability, anchoring or both. In a particular form, the anchoring section can work as a floating parachute-like device to pull the assembly by means of the flow in the body lumen, while in a more particular form, the floating parachute-like device may be modified to act as a filter for trapping emboli.
Abstract:
An elongated medical instrument with a snare is provided. The snare reciprocates within a sleeve in the instrument. The sleeve reciprocates within the instrument. The snare can be closed without moving the distal portion of the remainder of the instrument by advancing the sleeve while the snare is maintained in a fixed location. The snare can also be closed by retracting the snare into the sleeve or by advancing the sleeve while the snare is retracted. The snare may be formed from a continuous length of wire that is doubled back on itself within the sleeve. The size and lateral position of the snare can be adjusted by controlling the relative amount that the two portions of the doubled back wire are advanced beyond the end of the sleeve.
Abstract:
A steering device, such as for use in a guidewire for percutaneous transluminal insertion into the coronary vascular system is provided. The guidewire (180) comprises an elongate flexible housing (182) having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending through the length of the housing. The guidewire has a steering element (202) secured within the lumen and adapted to displace the distal end (184) of the housing in a lateral direction. At least one deflection wire (188) extends through the flexible housing extending from a distal point of attachment to the proximal end. Axial movement of the deflection wire displaces a distal steering region of the housing in a lateral direction.
Abstract:
A guidewire assembly (10) having selectively adjustable stiffness and tip curvature includes a hollow guidewire (12) having a distal portion (14) terminating at a distal tip (16), a curvature-modifying element (18) anchored to the distal tip, and a stiffness-modifying element (20) displaceable within the hollow guidewire towards and away form the distal tip so as to vary a stiffness of the distal element are frictionally linked such that movement of the stiffness-modifying element from a current position over a first range of motion causes corresponding displacement of the curvature-modifying element, thereby modifying a state of curvature of a least part of the distal portion of the guidewire. Movement of the stiffness-modifying element beyond the first range of motion displaces the stiffness-modifying element relative to the curvature-modifying element.
Abstract:
A deflectable and torqueable hollow guidewire device is disclosed for removing occlusive material and passing through occlusions, stenosis, thrombus, plaque, calcified material, and other materials in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery. The hollow guidewire generally comprises an elongate, tubular guidewire body that has an axial lumen. A mechanically moving core element is positioned at or near a distal end of the tubular guidewire body and extends through the axial lumen. Actuation of the core element ( e.g. , oscillation, reciprocation, and/or rotation) creates a passage through the occlusive or stenotic material in the body lumen.