Patent ID: 7785269
Filing Date: 2010-08-31
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A medical instrument comprising: a) a flexible catheter having an exterior surface and having a distal end insertable into a body lumen of a patient, wherein the catheter includes a rail which is disposed on the exterior surface of the catheter and which is adapted to slidably receive a rail-coupling portion of an adjunct medical device; and b) a medical guidewire devoid of any medical-diagnostic component and any medical-treatment component, spaced apart from the rail and including a working portion which is extendable from within the catheter as a loop track beyond the distal end of the catheter, wherein the working portion has a maximum loop-track length and includes first and second segments together having a length greater than ninety percent of the maximum loop-track length, wherein the first segment has a first bending moment of inertia and the second segment has a second bending moment of inertia, wherein the first bending moment of inertia is less than the second bending moment of inertia, wherein the first segment extends proximally to the distal end of the catheter when the medical guidewire is fully extended, and wherein the second segment extends proximally to the distal end of the catheter when the medical guidewire is fully extended.