Abstract: A guidewire or section thereof, that has a core member or the like with a plurality of contiguous tapered segments having taper angles that are configured to produce a linear change in stiffness over a longitudinal portion of the device. The device may also have a core section with a continuously changing taper angle to produce a curvilinear profile that is configured to produce a linear change in stiffness of the core over a longitudinal portion of the device. An embodiment has a plurality of radiopaque elements that may be intermittent, continuous or in the form of a helical ribbon for scaled measurement of intracorporeal structure under flouroscopic imaging. Another embodiment has at least one layer of polymer over the distal end of the device.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 26, 2007
Date of Patent:
November 25, 2008
Assignee:
Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
Inventors:
Mark T. Richardson, David M. Anderson, Emmanuel C. Biagtan, Lawrence E. Brennan, David H. Burkett, Wayne E. Cornish, Robert C. Esselstein, James Jacobs, Marc M. Jalisi, Daryush P. Mirzaee, Olin J. Palmer, John Schreiner, Kent C. Stalker