GUIDEWIRE WITH PORTIONS OF REDUCED STIFFNESS

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for a guidewire that comprises an elongate member with a proximal and distal portion. The distal portion includes a distal curved portion, ending in a distal tip, and a tapered region that reduces the cross-section from a larger cross-section to a smaller cross-section. The elongate member further includes a plurality of flattened regions positioned at discrete locations along the elongate member. Each of the plurality of flattened regions are separated from one another by an unflattened region whereby when a force is exerted onto the guidewire, the guidewire undergoes bending at the plurality of flattened regions.

Description

Claims

1. A guidewire comprising: an elongate member comprising: a proximal portion;a distal portion, the distal portion comprising: a distal curved portion ending in a distal tip;a tapered region, wherein the tapered region reduces a cross-section of the elongate member from a large cross-section to a small cross-section;a plurality of flattened regions positioned at discrete locations along the elongate member; and,wherein each of the plurality of flattened regions are separated from one another by an unflattened region;whereby, when a force is exerted onto the guidewire, the guidewire undergoes bending at the plurality of flattened regions.

2. The guidewire of claim 1, wherein the elongate member is composed of nitinol.

3. The guidewire of claim 1, wherein the elongate member comprises a circular cross section.

4. The guidewire of claim 1, further comprising a radiopaque coil positioned along the distal portion.

5. The guidewire of claim 4 wherein the radiopaque coil is held in place by a coil stopper.

6. The guidewire of claim 1, wherein the tapered region comprises a plurality of tapers, wherein the plurality of tapers are separated by at least one intermediate portion of constant diameter.

7. The guidewire of of claim 6, wherein the plurality of flattened regions comprises a proximal flattened region and a distal flattened region.

8) The guidewire of claim 7, wherein the distal flattened region extends from the sharp distal tip and ends proximal to the curved distal portion.

9. The guidewire of claim 1, wherein the curved distal portion is J-shaped.

10. The guidewire of claim 1, wherein the curved distal portion is in a pigtail configuration.

11. The guidewire of claim 1, wherein the distal tip comprises an electrode configured to deliver energy to a target tissue.

12. A guidewire comprising: an elongate member having a first stiffness, the elongate member comprising: a proximal portion;a distal portion, the distal portion ending in a distal tip; and,a plurality of regions of a second stiffness positioned at discrete locations along the elongate member and separated by a portion of the first stiffness;wherein the second stiffness is less than that of the first stiffness;whereby, when a force is exerted onto the guidewire, the guidewire undergoes bending at the plurality of regions of the second stiffness preventing kinking of the guidewire.

13. The guidewire of claim 12, wherein the distal portion comprises a distal curved portion, ending at the distal tip.

14. The guidewire of claim 12, wherein the distal portion comprises a tapered region, the tapered region tapering from a large cross-section to a small cross-section.

15. The guidewire of claim 14, wherein the tapered region comprises a plurality of tapered portions and wherein each of the plurality of tapered portions are separated from one another by an intermediate portion having a constant cross-section.

16. The guidewire of claim 15, wherein the plurality of tapered portions comprises a proximal tapered portion, a middle tapered portion, and a distal tapered portion.

17. The guidewire of claim 12, wherein the plurality of regions of the second stiffness comprises a plurality of flattened portions and wherein the portion of the first stiffness comprises an unflattened portion.

18. The guidewire of claim 17, wherein the plurality of flattened portions comprises a proximal flattened portion and a distal flattened portion.

19. The guidewire of claim 18, wherein the distal flattened portion extends from the distal tip and ends proximal to the curved distal region.

20. A guidewire comprising: an elongate member comprising: a proximal portion;a distal portion, the distal portion comprising: a distal curved portion ending in a distal tip;a plurality of broken portions; and,an outer coil, wherein the outer coil wraps around the elongate member such that the elongate member forms a single piece;whereby, when a force is exerted onto the guidewire, the guidewire undergoes bending at the plurality of broken portions, preventing kinking of the guidewire.