Guidewire with integral radiopaque markers

摘要

Embodiments hereof relate to a guidewire formed from an elongated shaft, at least a portion of the shaft having an outer layer, a plurality of channels formed through the outer layer, and an inner core. The outer layer is formed from a material non susceptible to erosion by an erosion agent and the inner core is formed from a radiopaque material susceptible to erosion by the erosion agent. When exposed to the erosion agent, core material adjacent to the channels is removed to form a pattern of integral radiopaque segments or markers with a plurality of voids therebetween. By controlling the location of channels and the rate of erosion of the core material, the pattern of integral radiopaque segments and voids allow for in situ measurement when viewed under fluoroscopy.

主权项

1. A method of manufacturing a guidewire having a plurality of integral radiopaque markers formed therein, the method comprising the steps of:
creating channels through an outer layer of an elongated wire to expose an innermost core of the elongated wire, wherein the innermost core is formed from a radiopaque material susceptible to erosion by an erosion agent and the outer layer is formed from a material non susceptible to erosion by the erosion agent; and subjecting the innermost core to the erosion agent via the channels to remove finite segments of the innermost core adjacent to the channels, thereby forming a guidewire having the outer layer which encloses a plurality of integral radiopaque markers with a plurality of voids therebetween, wherein segments of the innermost core that remain after subjection to the erosion agent form the plurality of integral radiopaque markers and the finite segments of the innermost core removed by the erosion agent form the plurality of voids.