ENDOSCOPIC NEEDLE STYLET WITH ENHANCED-FLEXIBILITY LENGTHS

摘要

A single-wire stylet may be constructed as an elongate single-wire, memory-metal alloy body with a generally cylindrical body profile, extending distally from a proximal end terminus, where embodiments include a polymeric distal tip member fixedly attached directly at a distal end of the single-wire body. At least one lengthwise portion of the single-wire body is at least partially in martensitic phase at operating temperatures at and below about 37° C. Where present, the polymeric distal tip member has a generally cylindrical body profile circumferentially bounded by an outer circumference substantially equal to or greater than that of the metal body. The polymeric distal tip member may be overmolded upon a distal-end tip length of an elongate single-wire, memory-metal alloy stylet body, where the distal end and/or discrete intermediate distal-portion length(s) that include martensitic-phase alloy and any polymeric member have greater flexibility than a proximal-most length of the alloy stylet body.

主权项

1. A stylet configured for use within an endoscopic needle, the stylet comprising:
a proximal end terminus and a distal end terminus; an elongate single-wire, memory-metal alloy body with a generally cylindrical body profile that is circumferentially bounded by a first outer circumference, extending distally from the proximal end terminus; a polymeric distal tip member fixedly attached directly at a distal end of the single-wire body; where the polymeric distal tip member has a generally cylindrical body profile circumferentially bounded by a second outer circumference that is substantially equal to or greater than the first outer circumference; and where at least a lengthwise portion of the single-wire body is in martensitic phase at operating temperatures at and below about 37° C.