Orbital atherectomy device guide wire design

Abstract

A guide wire for assisting in implantation and balancing of an orbital atherectomy device is disclosed. The guide wire is generally configured to be received within a driveshaft and cutting region of the orbital atherectomy device. The guide wire is sufficiently flexible to minimize trauma to the vessel walls is positioned within a patient. The distal end of the guide wire can include on or more weighted elements movable along the distal region of the guide wire to permit the balancing of an a rotating drive shaft and cutting region of an orbital atherectomy device. The guide wire can also include an atraumatic tip located on the end of the guide wire to reduce trauma to the vessels during implantation. Lubricious coatings are also provided to reduce friction between the driveshaft and cutting region of the atherectomy device and guide wire.

Description

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application filed Jan. 7, 2004 and titled TERMINAL GUIDE FOR ROTATIONAL ATHERECTOMY DEVICE AND METHOD OF USING SAME.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to medical devices and, more particularly, to guide wires for positioning and stabilization of intravascular medical devices. [0003] Atherectomy devices are generally designed to remove stenotic occlusions from human arteries and bypass grafts. Atherectomy devices take a number of forms from mechanical cutting devices to various rotating abrading device. [0004] The OAD consists of three stainless steel wires, helically wound to produce a device driveshaft. The OAD has an expanded, eccentric cross-section with an attached diamond surface “crown” located near the distal end. The OAD is revolved at rotational velocities up to 200,000 rpm, with the “crown's” abrasive surface removing stenotic tissue. The Orbital Atherectomy Device is deployed along and rota...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] A guide wire for assisting in implantation and balancing of an orbital atherectomy device is disclosed. The guide wire is generally configured to be received within a driveshaft and cutting region of the orbital atherectomy device. The guide wire is sufficiently flexible to minimize trauma to the vessel walls is positioned within a patient. The distal end of the guide wire can include on or more weighted elements movable along the distal region of the guide wire to permit the balancing of an a rotating drive shaft and cutting region of an orbital atherectomy device. The guide wire can also include an atraumatic tip located on the end of the guide wire to reduce trauma to the vessels during implantation. Lubricious coatings are also provided to reduce friction between the driveshaft and cutting region of the atherectomy device and guide wire.

Problems solved by technology

Further, the contact of the OAD driveshaft with the flexible PTFE tubing has been found to cause torsion and bending failure of the PTFE tubing with the failed segment difficult to extract.

In addition, the rotating OAD driveshaft inner surface creates surface erosion of the PTFE tubing, failing the PTFE tip, friction welding of the OAD to the guide wire, and resulting in premature failure of the OAD and / or the guide wire.

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