Patent ID: 7186224
Filing Date: 2007-03-06
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A torque device, the device having a length, width and height and being useable to apply torque to a guidewire of a predetermined diameter, the device comprising: a single piece of material having a distal end, a proximate end, opposite sides, a top surface and a bottom surface, said piece having an insertion slot of constant width extending from the distal end toward the proximate end and from one of the opposite sides to the other of the opposite sides, the constant width of the insertion slot being greater than the predetermined diameter of the guidewire for receiving the guidewire such that the device does not have to be back loaded over the end of the guidewire, the insertion slot dividing the distal end portion of the piece into thin and flat top and bottom bifurcations, respectively, such bifurcations having parallel planar facing surfaces, the insertion slot terminating at a flat base disposed orthogonal to the planar facing surfaces of the bifurcations, a first rotation slot extending inward from one side of the piece at the base of the bottom bifurcation, and a second rotation slot extending inward from the opposite side of the piece at the base of the top bifurcation, the rotation slots having respective inner end portions essentially semicircular and overlapping to form a straight through hole from the top surface to the bottom surface, such hole being unobstructed and extending orthogonally between such surfaces such that the axis of the hole is parallel to the opposite sides and located midway therebetween at the base of the insertion slot, each rotation slot extending perpendicularly inward from a side of the piece and being of a width greater than the predetermined diameter of the guide wire, whereby, with the guidewire inserted into the insertion slot to the base thereof, the piece is rotatable for reception of the guidewire along the insertion slots until the guidewire is pinched in the central hole for applying torque to the guidewire by movement of the piece.