Linda F Guthrie

US Patent:

49171020, Apr 17, 1990

Filed:

Sep 14, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/244817

Inventors:

Gary H. Miller - Milpitas CA
Jeffrey L. Kraus - San Jose CA
Linda T. Guthrie - Fremont CA

Assignee:

Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

A61B 500

US Classification:

128772

Abstract:

A guidewire assembly particularly suitable for valvuloplasty procedures have an outer tubular member a first shapable core member fixed within the outer member and a second stiffer core member which is axially movable within the out tubular member. The first core member preferably has a double curvature shape with the most distal curvature having a much smaller radius or curvature than the second curvature. When the movable core member is moved proximally, the fixed core member assumes its shaped form and thereby changes the shape of the guidewire. The double curvature shape prevents the traumatic engagement of the distal tip of the guidewire with the lining in the heart chamber and also provides supports to the guidewire when disposed through the heart valve.

US Patent:

49661639, Oct 30, 1990

Filed:

Feb 14, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/311005

Inventors:

Jeffrey L. Kraus - San Jose CA
Linda T. Guthrie - Fremont CA

Assignee:

Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

A61B 500

US Classification:

128772

Abstract:

An extendable guidewire system for introducing a dilatation catheter into the arterial system of a patient. The guidewire system has guidewire and extension sections with a connection therebetween which permits the two sections to be joined together and separated simply by twisting the two sections to effect a threaded connection. One of the sections can be used for positioning the catheter within the cardiovascular system, and the other section an be employed to extend the wire to change catheters.