Guidewire with adjustable stiffness

摘要

A medical guidewire system including an inner member having an outer diameter and an outer member having an inner diameter, the inner diameter being larger than the outer diameter. The inner and outer members are relatively slidable to adjust a stiffness of the guidewire system. The lumen of the outer member forms a gap for fluid flow therethrough. A connector to the inner member and a fluid infusion channel communicating with the gap for injection of fluid through the gap to exit a distal portion of the outer member.

主权项

1. A medical guidewire system having adjustable rigidity, comprising:
a first inner wire member having a closed tip, first outer diameter, and a first stiffness, a second intermediate tube member having a longitudinally extending opening configured to receive the first inner wire member for relative sliding movement with respect to the first inner wire member, the second intermediate tube member having regions of different flexibility along its length and a stiffness different than the first stiffness of the first inner wire member, a third outer tube member having a longitudinally extending opening configured to receive the second intermediate tube member for relative sliding movement with respect to the first inner wire member and second intermediate tube member, the third outer tube member having a stiffness greater than the first stiffness of the first inner wire member, and a locking member configured to fix the relative longitudinal position of the first inner wire member, the second intermediate tube member, the third outer tube member with respect to each other when the first inner wire member is in one of the retracted or advanced positions relative to the third outer tube member; wherein the first inner wire member, a second intermediate tube member and third outer tube member are each independently slidable relative to one another to change the overall diameter, stiffness, and degree of pushability in advancement of the guidewire system, without a need to exchange the system or a portion thereof, and together the members function as a unitary structure such that a proximal region of said system permits a medical device to be longitudinally advanced to a desired location in a patient, and further wherein the third outer tube member is configured as a rail for over-the-wire catheter insertion.