Patent ID: 8500656
Filing Date: 2013-08-06
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A guide wire for use in a surgical or other procedure for accessing a remote site in a body of a human or an animal subject, the guide wire comprising: (i) a wire defining a longitudinally extending axis and terminating at one end in a proximal portion and at an axially opposite end in a distal portion, wherein the distal portion has a proximal end and a distal end, is of rectangular transverse cross-section defining a pair of opposite major flat surfaces joined by a pair of opposite minor surfaces, and terminates adjacent the distal end thereof in a guide portion, and wherein the guide portion is adapted to be shaped to a desired curved configuration for facilitating guiding of the guide wire into a branched vessel of the subject and (ii) an elongated reinforcing member located on the distal portion of the wire for minimizing axial twisting of the distal portion between the proximal end of the distal portion and the guide portion of the distal portion, wherein the reinforcing member has a proximal end and a distal end, and a rectangular transverse cross-section with a longitudinally extending which converges toward the distal portion adjacent the distal end of the reinforcing member, and wherein the reinforcing member extends along and is perpendicular to one of the flat major surfaces of the distal portion of the guide wire from the proximal end of the distal portion to a location on the distal portion axially spaced apart from the distal end of the distal portion to define, with the distal end of the distal portion, the guide portion.