Abstract: This invention provides a small diameter snare device and device for thrombus removal consisting of a hollow, elongate, thin-walled outer sheath constructed from polymer, at least at a distal part thereof. A single central core wire extends through the entire length of the sheath. The outer diameter of the core wire is sized close to the inner diameter of the sheath while allowing for axial sliding, in order to maximize the support to the body portion of the snare device. The distal end of the core wire has a tapered section of reduced diameter or cross section to provide a “guidewire-like” flexibility to the distal portion of the device. A second wire (or wires) of about fifty percent or less of the inner diameter of the sheath is (are) shaped to form a snare loop or radially extended tool tip that is attached to the distal most portion of the central core wire.

Abstract: This invention provides a small diameter snare device consisting of a hollow, elongate, thin-walled polymer outer sheath. A single central core wire extends through the entire length of the sheath. The outer diameter of the core wire is sized close to the inner diameter of the sheath while allowing for axial sliding, in order to maximize the support to the body portion of the snare device. The distal end of the core wire has a tapered section of reduced diameter or cross section to provide a “guidewire-like” flexibility to the distal portion of the device. A second wire of about fifty percent of the inner diameter of the sheath is shaped to form a snare loop and the two ends are attached to the distal most portion of the central core wire via welding, soldering, or brazing.

Abstract: A kink resistant balloon catheter for insertion into a bodily conduit. The catheter (10) includes a shaft (20), a radiopaque distal tip (35), a dilatation balloon (33) between the shaft and the distal tip, and a removable core wire (40). The shaft includes a kink resistant, cross-wound multifilar (CWMF) coil (21) enclosed by a polymeric sleeve (22) and defining a central lumen (28) for delivery of a fluid inflation medium for inflating the balloon. A fixed core wire (36) interconnects the CWMF coil and the distal tip. In a method for widening constricted bodily passages using the novel balloon catheter, the removable core wire is inserted to assist positioning of the catheter, and is removed to permit rapid inflation and deflation of the balloon.

Abstract: An exchange guidewire for positioning and exchanging medical catheters within a bodily passage during a medical procedure which uses an endoscope. The guidewire includes a wire of a length sufficient for exchange of the catheters through the endoscope, a radiopaque flexible coil fixed to the distal end of the wire, and a pattern of stripes endoscopically discernable along the guidewire. Optionally, a shrink-wrap, low-friction sleeve jackets the guidewire, the pattern of indicia being endoscopically discernable along the length of the jacketed guidewire. The position of the exchange guidewire indicia relative to the endoscope optical lens may be monitored by viewing the stripes endoscopically. A method of positioning and exchanging medical catheters within a bodily passage during a medical procedure which uses an endoscope is also disclosed.