Abstract: A catheter guidewire has a relatively flexible distal portion to facilitate the steering of the guidewire through the cardiovascular system of a subject and the capability of the guidewire to reach a deposit region within a relatively tortuous portion of the cardiovascular system. The guidewire also has a relatively stiff proximal portion to facilitate the pushing of the guidewire through the cardiovascular system from an entry point of the subject. For one embodiment, the guidewire includes a corewire and a sleeve secured to the corewire such that the sleeve surrounds a proximal portion of the corewire. The sleeve is formed from a material having a relatively greater stiffness than the material for the corewire. The sleeve may be formed from stainless steel, for example, to provide for a relatively stiff proximal portion of a corewire formed from a material exhibiting superelastic properties, such as a nickel-titanium or Nitinol alloy for example.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a guidewire for navigating through the human vasculature. The guidewire has a distal end for insertion into the body, and a proximal end. The guidewire is made from a core wire formed from a superelastic material and has distal and proximal ends. The core wire has a bore or notch adjacent its distal end, and the bore has a predetermined size and shape. The guidewire further includes a member formed from a malleable material. The member has the same size and shape as the bore or notch and is inserted within the bore or notch. Whereby, after the member is bent, the shape of the distal end of the core wire changes without elastically returning to its original shape. Lastly, the guidewire includes a cover which surrounds the member and portions of the core wire immediately adjacent thereto.

Abstract: The extension guidewire system is used with an inserted guidewire, such as used in a PTCA dilatation balloon catheter system, and includes a snap-connector assembly at and between a distal end of an extension guidewire and a proximal end of an initially inserted guidewire. The connector assembly comprises a snap-in sleeve mounted at the distal end of the extension guidewire, locking structure on the proximal end portion of the initially inserted guidewire and a radially inwardly extended detent on the snap-in sleeve positioned to engage in a gripping manner, and lock against, the locking structure on the proximal end of the initially inserted guidewire.

Abstract: A flexible guidewire having a radiopaque marker at its distal end. The marker is defined by a platinum band attached to a reduced diameter portion of a guidewire core wire. A flexible spring overlies the radiopaque marker bank. The spring is constructed of stainless steel. A weld band is formed at the distal end of the core wire and is fused to the distal end of the marker band to thereby cause these elements to be fused into a single unitary structure.

Abstract: A magnetic device for use with a medical catheter and a guidewire incorporates a magnet adapted to attract a portion of the guidewire and thereby impose a magnetic force tending to inhibit longitudinal motion of the guidewire.

Abstract: A guidewire includes an elongate flexible unitary body with a plurality of spaced apart grooves in its outer surface and defining a tip support section. In one embodiment, the plurality of grooves take the form of a series of equally axially spaced apart transverse grooves which extend circumferentially around the outer surface of the elongate flexible body. A cross section of each groove may have a V-shape or U-shape, with each groove having rounded over opposing outer edges. A distal tip section is connected to the tip support section, and a main section is connected to the tip support section opposite the distal tip section. Preferably the main section, tip support section, and a portion of the distal tip section are formed of a unitary metal body or wire. The distal tip section also preferably includes a flattened wire portion surrounding by a wound coil.

Abstract: Apparatus for facilitating the exchange of a catheter in the vascular system of a patient without displacing a guidewire which occupies the lumen of the catheter. The apparatus comprises a ferromagnetic rod which preferably defines a plurality of spaced, integral rings of ferromagnetic material distributed along the rod in substantially perpendicular relation to the axis thereof. The rod may be non-magnetized, or it may contain permanent magnets it desired. A connector may be provided for attaching the magnetic apparatus to a guidewire proximal end, or the device may be permanently attached to a guidewire end. A magnetic retainer which provides a magnetic field may be used to hold the ferromagnetic rod and the guidewire in a desired position as the catheter is either advanced or withdrawn while enclosing the ferromagnetic rod, so that the guidewire is retained while neither the guidewire nor the rod can be physically grasped.

Abstract: A guidewire for insertion into the vascular system of a patient, to provide a path of advancement for an atherectomy catheter which surrounds the guidewire as it advances. The guidewire has an intermediate portion positioned proximally of the distal tip, which intermediate portion defines a transversely enlarged portion of a size to prevent substantial distal advancement of the atherectomy catheter or other catheter that surrounds the guidewire. Particularly, this protects the distal tip portion of the guidewire from engagement with moving blades of an atherectomy catheter.

Abstract: A guidewire is provided for use with medical devices such as catheters. The guidewire has a structure which is particularly suitable for use as a micro-guidewire which is small enough for use even within the cerebral vascular system. The guidewire includes a unitary core wire of nickel and titanium alloy, which unitary core wire has a distal tip portion including a ribbon tip. A coil is positioned generally along the outside surface of the distal tip portion, including the ribbon tip. The distal tip portion of the device exhibits super-elasticity properties by which the tip is easily bent and rebent without kinking.

Abstract: An intravascular guidewire is provided having a central section which typically comprises the majority of the length of the guidewire, and terminal sections which are of lesser diameter than the diameter of the central section. Each of the terminal sections is of differing physical characteristics relative to each other, to exhibit differing dynamic characteristics during use. This provides the user with a greater variety of guidewire performance characteristics, depending upon which end of the guidewire is used as the distal end of advancement.

Abstract: A flexible guidewire having a marker region at its distal end. The marker region is defined by spaced apart platinum bands attached to a reduced diameter portion of a guidewire core wire. A flexible spring overlies the marker region and is of a two-piece construction. A proximal end of the spring is constructed of stainless steel that has multiple spaced gaps to facilitate viewing of the platinum bands. A distal portion of the spring is constructed of platinum and is welded to a distal end of the core wire.

Abstract: An extendable guidewire for insertion within a subject. The guidewire includes an elongated flexible member having a diameter small enough for insertion into a subject and includes an outer member and an inner member. A central passageway extends through a proximal portion of the outer member. The inner member comprises a guidewire extension that is dimensioned to fit within the central passageway for back-and-forth movement with respect to the outer member. The outer member has a movement-limiting portion at its proximal end that cooperates with a movement-limiting portion of the inner member to limit movement of the inner member and frictionally hold the inner member in its extended position.

Abstract: A guidewire fluid delivery system is provided which is both a steerable guidewire and a mechanism for the delivery or withdrawal of fluid between a location outside of the body and a location distally within the body. A passageway is provided which directs fluid flow generally along the elongated coil of the guidewire. A treatment procedure is also provided whereby fluids are delivered to a distal location and/or withdrawn from a distal location during a procedure, the primary component of which is insertion of a fluid-delivery guidewire device.

Abstract: A catheter exchange tool for use in vascular dilitation procedures comprising a tool couplable between a balloon catheter and a balloon guidewire. The tool is operated by a physician to exert a longitudinal force on the balloon catheter and, in response to the exertion of the force on the catheter, simultaneously exert an equal and opposite force on the balloon guidewire.

Abstract: A guidewire having a high radiopacity at the guidewire's distal tip. A spring mounted to the guidewire has one uniform diameter coiled region and a second tapered region. The tapered region is covered with a plastic sleeve.

Abstract: The alignment tool is used to align the proximal end of a medical catheter wire with connecting means at the distal end of an extension wire. The alignment tool comprises a body having passage means therethrough including first and second inlet means for receiving and guiding into each end, respectively, of said passageway the proximal end of the medical catheter wire and the connecting means at the distal end of the extension wire. The alignment tool is preferably mounted in an extension wire dispensing assembly including means for receiving and holding a length of extension wire and a holder mounted to the dispensing means and having means for receiving and holding the alignment tool. The dispensing means include a coiled tube.

Abstract: The extension wire for a fixed balloon on a guidewire comprises a length of extension wire and a connector assembly mounted on the distal end of the length of extension wire. The connector assembly includes a tube which is received on and fixed to a distal end of the length of extension wire and which has means within the tube for grippingly engaging an outer covering sheath of a cut proximal end of the sheath and core wire of a fixed balloon on a guidewire.The fixed balloon on a guidewire extension wire assembly kit includes the extension wire and connector assembly at the distal end of the extension wire, and an alignment tool having a body and a throughbore adapted to receive the tube of the connector assembly at the distal end of the extension wire in one end thereof and the cut proximal end of a fixed balloon on a guidewire in the other end for guiding the cut end into the tube of the connector assembly.

Abstract: A wire gripping handle for attaching to and detaching from wires defines a first tubular member, and a second tubular member which receives the first tubular member in generally coaxial relation. Both tubular members define a longitudinal slot so that, when the slots are aligned, a wire may be placed into the bores of the joined tubular members in lateral fashion. Then, upon relative rotation of the tubular members, a portion of one of them may be radially collapsed into gripping relation with the wire.

Abstract: The guidewire extension system includes an extension guidewire adapted to be releasably but firmly connected to the proximal end of an initial guidewire. The extension guidewire has a distal end and a proximal end, and the system further comprises a connecting assembly which is mounted at the distal end of the extension guidewire, which includes a coiled spring constructed and arranged to receive and grippingly engage and lock against a distal end of the initial guidewire, and which includes a swivel joint for minimizing, if not eliminating, twisting of the extension guidewire when disconnecting the extension guidewire from the initial guidewire.

Abstract: The guidewire extension system includes an extension guidewire adapted to be releasably but firmly connected to proximal end of an initial guidewire. The extension guidewire has a distal end and a proximal end, and the system further comprises a connecting assembly mounted at the distal end of extension guidewire and including a coiled spring constructed and arranged to receive and grippingly engage and lock against a distal end of the initial guidewire.