Abstract: This is a composite guidewire for use in a catheter and is used for accessing a targeted site in a lumen system of a patient's body. The guidewire core or guidewire section may be of a stainless steel or a high elasticity metal alloy, preferably a Ni--Ti alloy, also preferably having specified physical parameters. The composite guidewire assembly is especially useful for accessing peripheral or soft tissue targets. Variations include multi-section guidewire assemblies having (at least) super-elastic distal portions and super-elastic braided reinforcements along the mid or distal sections. A variation of the inventive guidewire includes the coating of the wire with a tie layer and then with a one or more lubricious polymers to enhance its suitability for use within catheters and with the interior of vascular lumen.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical device. It is a guidewire for use in a catheter and is used for accessing a targeted site in a lumen system of a patient's body. The guidewire or guidewire section may be of a stainless steel or a high elasticity metal alloy, preferably a Ni--Ti alloy, having specified physical parameters. The guidewire is especially useful for accessing peripheral or soft tissue targets. A special variation of the inventive guidewire includes the coating of the wire with a tie layer and then with a one or more lubricious polymers to enhance its suitability for use within catheters and with the interior of vascular lumen.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical device. It is a guidewire for use in a catheter and is used for accessing a targeted site within a system of lumen within a patient's body. The guidewire may be of a high elasticity metal alloy, preferably a Ni--Ti alloy, having specified physical parameters, and is especially useful for accessing peripheral or soft tissue targets. The "necked" guidewire tip also forms a specific parameter of the invention.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus for creating an endovascular occlusion by the formation of thrombi in arteries, veins, aneurysms, vascular malformations, and arteriovenous fistulas. In particular, the invention is an assembly for electrolytically severing a portion of the endovascular device such as a coil via the use of electrolysis. The vasoocclusive device is introduced through a catheter and is intended to remain at the desired thrombus formation site. The invention further includes a method for the introduction of the device and its electrolytic separation.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical device. It is a guidewire for use in a catheter and is used for accessing a targeted site within a system of lumen within a patient's body. The guidewire may be of a high elasticity metal alloy, preferably a Ni-Ti alloy, having specified physical parameters, and is especially useful for accessing peripheral or soft tissue targets. The "necked" guidewire tip also forms a specific parameter of the invention.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical instrument and specifically is a device for delivering an embolic coil to a selected site within a vessel in a human body via use of a catheter. In particular, the device involves an embolic coil having an enlarged member, such as a ball attached thereto which coil is released by forcing the enlarged member through an aperture in a socket situated on the distal end of a pusher assembly.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical instrument and specifically is a device for delivering embolic coils to a selected site within the vasculature of the human body via use of a catheter. Specifically, a pusher sheath within the catheter lumen pushes embolic coils mounted on a guidewire through the end of the catheter lumen. The catheter may have a constricted distal tip or other means of controlling the release of the embolic coils. Additionally (or alternatively), the guidewire may engage the embolic coils from their interior to allow precise placement of the coils.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical instrument and specifically is a device for delivering an embolic coil to a selected site within the vasculature of a human body via use of a catheter. In particular, the device uses embolic coils having interlocking clasps on the coils which are secured to each other by a control wire within the catheter. Retraction of the control wire into the catheter body uncouples the distal coil.

Abstract: A guidewire system for use in catheter exchanges avoids the need for a separate exchange wire by connecting an extension wire to the proximal end of the guidewire thereby increasing the effective length of the guidewire to permit a catheter exchange. The proximal end of the guidewire is attached to the distal end of the exchange wire by a disconnectable reattachable connection which avoids deformation of the connected joint.

Abstract: A guidewire and method of using same for tracking an indwelling device such as a catheter previously positioned within a body lumen. The guidewire includes an elongate flexible body shaft having proximal and distal ends, and a tracking member disposed at the region of the distal end. The tracking member defines an opening passable over the shaft of the indwelling device. During use, the tracking member is slid along the indwelling device toward its distal end to enable the guidewire to track the path of the indwelling device. The indwelling device then may be withdrawn from the patient's body lumen and an over-the-wire catheter may be threaded onto and advanced along the guidewire into the patient's body lumen. The tracking member is retractable within and removable from the guidewire. The invention is useful particularly in catheterization procedures where it is desired to exchange an over-the-wire catheter for a catheter having a fixed or integral guidewire.

Abstract: A small diameter steerable guidewire that is used to guide a catheter in transluminal coronary angioplasty is provided with a pair of electrodes for measuring the cross-sectional area of a blood vessel and for measuring blood flow. The guidewire includes a shaft and a tip attached to the distal end of the shaft. The shaft is torsionally rigid along its length and includes a conductive tube and a wire extending through the tube. The tip, which can be bent to a prescribed curve when relaxed, is sufficiently flexible to adapt to and follow the contours of a blood vessel. The tip includes a tapered extension of the wire in the shaft. A proximal electrode and a distal electrode are coaxially mounted on the tapered wire and are electrically connected to the tube and the wire, respectively. The electrodes are axially spaced apart by a predetermined distance. Each electrode is preferably a conductive, helically-wound spring. The outside diameter of the steerable guidewire preferably does not exceed about 0.

Abstract: A steerable guidewire for guiding a catheter includes an elongate hollow shaft having a distal core wire mounted at its distal end. The distal core wire tapers in a distal direction and has a flexible distral tip. The core wire is received within a helical coil mounted to the distal end of the guidewire, the distal tip of the core wire being attached to the distal tip of the helical coil. A pull wire extends the length of the guidewire through the hollow shaft and the helical coil and is connected, eccentrically, to the distal tip of the helical coil by a small diameter internal spring, the proximal end of which is attached to the distal end of the pull wire and the distal end of which is attached to the distal end of the helical coil. Pulling on the pull wire causes the distal tip of the guidewire to assume a curved configutation.