Guide wire

Abstract

The guidewire has a wire extending in the longitudinal direction of the guidewire, the wire has a groove section comprising a spiral groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the wire so as to follow a spiral trajectory, and the spiral groove has a bridge section at one or more locations for each turn. The bridge portion is a portion in which the groove is discontinuous or a portion in which the groove depth is half or less of the maximum depth of each turn.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a guide wire. Background Art

[0002] There is known a guide wire that is inserted into a body cavity such as a blood vessel in order to assist the insertion of medical devices such as catheters and stents (for example, refer to Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-230142

[0006] Patent Document 2: International Publication No. 2021 / 117657 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Conventional guide wires have difficulty in achieving both flexibility and torque transmission.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a guide wire that can easily achieve both flexibility and torque transmission.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is as follows.

[0010] [1] A guide wire having a wire extending in the length direction of the guide wire,

[0011] The wire has a groove portion formed by spiral grooves formed on the outer peripheral surface of the wire in a spiral trajectory, and the spiral grooves have bridge portions at one or more positions for each turn. The bridge portion is a portion where the groove is discontinuous or a portion where the groove depth is less than or equal to one-half of the maximum depth of each turn.

[0012] [2] In the guide wire described in [1] above, the bridge portions are arranged at intervals of 150 to 170° or 190 to 210°.

[0013] [3] A guide wire having a wire extending in the length direction of the guide wire,

[0014] The wire has a groove portion formed by a plurality of circumferential grooves arranged along the axial direction of the wire and extending on the outer peripheral surface of the wire along a circular trajectory, and each of the circumferential grooves has bridge portions at one or more positions for each turn. The bridge portion is a portion where the groove is discontinuous or a portion where the groove depth is less than or equal to one-half of the maximum depth of each turn.

[0015] [4] In the guide wire described in [3], each of the circumferential grooves has the bridge portions at two positions opposite to each other in the radial direction of the wire.

[0016] [5]In the guide wire described in [4] above, as it approaches the tip of the wire, the bridge portions are arranged with a stagger of 75 to 85° or 95 to 105° in each of the circumferential grooves.

[0017] [6]In the guide wire described in any one of [1] to [5], the groove portion has a part that becomes softer as the proportion of the groove width within one groove pitch increases as it approaches the tip of the wire.

[0018] [7]In the guide wire described in [6], the groove width of the groove portion is constant in the above-mentioned part.

[0019] [8]In the guide wire described in any one of [1] to [7], the groove portion has a part that becomes softer as the groove becomes deeper as it approaches the tip of the wire.

[0020] [9]In the guide wire described in any one of [1] to [8], the groove portion has a part that becomes softer as the wire becomes thinner as it approaches the tip of the wire.

[0021]

[10] In the guide wire described in any one of [1] to [9], the groove portion has a part that becomes softer as the circumferential length of the bridge portion becomes shorter as it approaches the tip of the wire.

[0022]

[11] In the guide wire described in any one of [1] to

[10] , a coil or a bobbin with a slit is provided at the tip portion of the guide wire.

[0023]

[12] In the guide wire described in

[11] , the groove portion is located at least on the proximal side with respect to the tip portion of the guide wire.

[0024]

[13] In the guide wire described in any one of [1] to

[10] , at least a resin coating layer mainly made of synthetic resin and a hydrophilic outermost layer are provided at the tip portion of the guide wire.

[0025] Advantages of the Invention

[0026] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a guide wire in which flexibility and torque transmission can be easily achieved simultaneously. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the guide wire of the first embodiment.

[0028] Figure 2A is Figure 1 a partially enlarged view of the wire shown.

[0029] Figure 2B is Figure 2A a side view of the wire shown.

[0030] Figure 2C It is a partial enlarged view showing a modified example of the wire shown in Figure 2A Figure 2A .

[0031] Figure 2D It is a partial enlarged view showing a modified example of the wire shown in Figure 2C Figure 2C .

[0032] Figure 3A It is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the wire shown in Figure 1 Figure 1 .

[0033] Figure 3B It is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the wire shown in Figure 3A Figure 3A .

[0034] Figure 4A It is a side view showing a modified example of the wire shown in Figure 2B Figure 2B .

[0035] Figure 4B It is a side view showing a modified example of the wire shown in Figure 4A Figure 4A .

[0036] Figure 5 It is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the wire shown in Figure 4A Figure 4A .

[0037] Figure 6 It is a longitudinal sectional view of the guide wire according to the second embodiment.

[0038] Figure 7 It is a longitudinal sectional view of the guide wire according to the third embodiment.

[0039] Figure 8 It is a Figure 7 partial enlarged view.

[0040] Figure 9 It is a longitudinal sectional view of the guide wire according to the fourth embodiment.

[0041] Figure 10 It is a longitudinal sectional view of the guide wire according to the fifth embodiment.

[0042] Figure 11 It is a longitudinal sectional view of the guide wire according to the sixth embodiment.

[0043] Figure 12 It is a longitudinal sectional view of the guide wire according to the seventh embodiment.

[0044] Figure 13 It is a longitudinal sectional view of the guide wire according to the eighth embodiment. Detailed Embodiments

[0045] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] As shown Figures 1 to 2B in FIG. Figures 1 to 2B , the guide wire 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention has a wire 2 extending in the longitudinal direction of the guide wire 1. The wire 2 has a groove portion 4 formed by a spiral groove 3 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the wire 2 along a spiral trajectory. The spiral groove 3 has a bridge portion 5 at one or more positions for each turn, and the bridge portion 5 is a portion where the groove is discontinuous.

[0047] According to such a structure, the flexibility of the guide wire 1 (the performance that the guide wire 1 can bend softly along the shape of blood vessels, etc.) can be improved by the wire 2 having the spiral groove 3, and the torque transmission performance of the guide wire 1 (the performance that can transmit the torsional direction at the proximal end portion of the guide wire 1, that is, the circumferential rotational operation, to the distal end portion of the guide wire 1) can be well maintained by the spiral groove 3 having sufficient bridge portions 5. Therefore, it is possible to easily achieve both flexibility and torque transmission performance at the same time.

[0048] The groove depth D of the spiral groove 3 can be appropriately set according to the use and material of the guide wire 1, etc. As an example, in Figure 2C FIG. Figure 2C , a modified example in which the groove depth D of the spiral groove 3 is reduced is shown.

[0049] The bridge portion 5 may be configured such that the groove depth D1 of the bridge portion 5 is less than or equal to one-half of the maximum depth D2 of each turn of the spiral groove 3 instead of being a portion where the groove is discontinuous. With such a structure, the above effects can also be obtained to some extent. In Figure 2D FIG. Figure 2D , a modified example is shown when the groove depth D1 of the bridge portion 5 is one-half of the maximum depth D2 of each turn of the spiral groove 3.

[0050] The bridge portions 5 are preferably arranged at intervals of 150 to 170° or 190 to 210° as in the modified example shown in Figures 3A to 3B FIG. Figures 3A to 3B . That is, it is preferable that the angle θ1 by which two adjacent bridge portions 5 along the spiral groove 3 are circumferentially offset from each other is 150 to 170° or 190 to 210°. Figure 3A FIG. Figure 3A is an example of 150°, Figure 3B and FIG. Figure 3B is an example of 170°. According to such a structure, by having the bridge portions 5 in the spiral groove 3 at a frequency slightly offset from a half turn, that is, 180°, a structure in which the bridge portions 5 are circumferentially dispersed in the spiral groove 3 at an appropriate frequency can be achieved. Therefore, it is possible to easily achieve flexibility in all directions and good torque transmission performance.

[0051] The groove portion 4 may be configured by a plurality of circumferential grooves 6 as shown in Figure 4A FIG. Figure 4A instead of being configured by the spiral groove 3. In this case, the plurality of circumferential grooves 6 are arranged along the axial direction of the wire 2 and extend on the outer peripheral surface of the wire 2 along an annular trajectory. Each circumferential groove 6 has a bridge portion 5 at one or more positions for each turn, and the bridge portion 5 is a portion where the groove is discontinuous.

[0052] According to such a structure, the flexibility of the guide wire 1 can be improved by the wire 2 having multiple circumferential grooves 6, and the torque transmission performance of the guide wire 1 can be well maintained by the multiple circumferential grooves 6 having sufficient bridge portions 5, so that flexibility and torque transmission performance can be easily achieved at the same time.

[0053] The groove depth D of the plurality of circumferential grooves 6 can be appropriately set according to the application and material of the guide wire 1 .

[0054] The bridge portion 5 may also be Figure 4B As shown, instead of the structure where the groove is discontinuous, the groove depth D1 of the bridge portion 5 is set to be less than half of the maximum depth D2 of the peripheral groove 6 per one turn. This structure can also obtain the above effect to some extent.

[0055] Each peripheral groove 6 can also be Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 5 As shown, the bridge portions 5 are provided at two locations facing each other in the radial direction of the wire 2. With such a structure, the groove portion 4 can have a structure with an appropriate frequency of bridge portions 5, so that good torque transmission performance can be easily achieved.

[0056] You can also Figure 5 As shown, the bridge portion 5 is arranged at 75-85° or 95-105° in each circumferential groove 6 (i.e., the angle θ2 at which the bridge portion 5 is staggered is 75-85° or 95-105° in each circumferential groove) as the front end of the wire 2 approaches. According to such a structure, the groove portion 4 has two bridge portions 5 facing each other at a position slightly staggered from a right angle, i.e., 90° in each circumferential groove 6, so that the groove portion 4 can be constructed with the bridge portions 5 dispersed in the circumferential direction at an appropriate frequency, so that all-round flexibility and good torque transmission can be easily achieved.

[0057] Each peripheral groove 6 can also be Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 5 As shown, the structure is set to extend along the circumferential direction of the wire 2 (that is, the looped track extends along the circumferential direction of the wire 2). According to such a structure, flexibility and torque transmission can be achieved more reliably at the same time.

[0058] The groove portion 4 may also be configured to have a structure in which the ratio of the groove width W within one groove pitch P increases as it approaches the front end of the wire 2, thereby becoming a soft portion. Figure 2BThe groove pitch P and the groove width W in the case where the groove portion 4 is constituted by the spiral groove 3 are shown in [Fig. 4], and the groove pitch P and the groove width W in the case where the groove portion 4 is constituted by a plurality of circumferential grooves 6 are shown in [Fig. 5]. According to such a structure, the flexibility of the guide wire 1 can be optimized with a simple configuration.

[0059] The groove portion 4 may also be configured such that the groove width W is constant in a portion that becomes flexible as the proportion of the groove width W within one groove pitch P increases as it approaches the tip of the wire 2. According to such a structure, the wire 2 can be easily manufactured, for example, by laser.

[0060] The groove portion 4 may also be configured to have a portion (also referred to as the groove deepening portion 4a) that becomes flexible as the groove deepens as it approaches the tip of the wire 2. An example of the groove deepening portion 4a is shown in Figures 9 to 13 This is an example in the case where the groove portion 4 is constituted by the spiral groove 3, but the same applies when the groove portion 4 is constituted by a plurality of circumferential grooves 6. According to such a structure, the flexibility of the guide wire 1 can be optimized with a simple configuration. Figures 9 to 13 This is an example in the case where the groove portion 4 is constituted by the spiral groove 3, but the same applies when the groove portion 4 is constituted by a plurality of circumferential grooves 6. According to such a structure, the flexibility of the guide wire 1 can be optimized with a simple configuration.

[0061] The groove portion 4 may also be configured to have a portion (also referred to as the wire tip thinning portion 4b) that becomes flexible as the wire 2 becomes thinner as it approaches the tip of the wire 2. An example of the wire tip thinning portion 4b is shown in Figure 1 、 Figure 6 、 Figures 9 to 10 、 Figure 13 This is an example in the case where the groove portion 4 is constituted by the spiral groove 3, but the same applies when the groove portion 4 is constituted by a plurality of circumferential grooves 6. According to such a structure, the flexibility of the guide wire 1 can be optimized with a simple configuration. Figure 1 、 Figure 6 、 Figures 9 to 10 、 Figure 13 This is an example in the case where the groove portion 4 is constituted by the spiral groove 3, but the same applies when the groove portion 4 is constituted by a plurality of circumferential grooves 6. According to such a structure, the flexibility of the guide wire 1 can be optimized with a simple configuration.

[0062] The groove portion 4 may also be configured to have a portion that becomes flexible as the circumferential length L of the bridge portion 5 shortens as it approaches the tip of the wire 2. The circumferential length L of the bridge portion 5 in the case where the groove portion 4 is constituted by the spiral groove 3 is shown in Figure 3A and the circumferential length L of the bridge portion 5 in the case where the groove portion 4 is constituted by a plurality of circumferential grooves 6 is shown in Figure 5 According to such a structure, the flexibility of the guide wire 1 can be optimized with a simple configuration.

[0063] It may also be configured as in the examples shown in Figure 1 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 7 to have a structure in which a bobbin 7 with a slit 8 formed is provided at the tip portion of the guide wire 1. Figure 1 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 7This is an example where the groove portion 4 is formed by the spiral groove 3, but the same applies when the groove portion 4 is formed by a plurality of circumferential grooves 6. With such a structure, for example, the distal end portion of the guide wire 1 can be imparted with radiopacity by the bobbin 7 made of a material having high X-ray contrast, and the flexibility of the distal end portion of the guide wire 1 can be ensured by the slit 8 formed in the bobbin 7.

[0064] In Figure 1 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 In the example shown, the slit 8 of the bobbin 7 is spiral and has discontinuous portions at one or more positions for each turn. However, the slit 8 is not limited to such a structure. For example, it may be a structure formed by a plurality of annular slits arranged along the axial direction of the bobbin 7, and each annular slit has discontinuous portions at one or more positions for each turn.

[0065] It may also be a structure having a coil 9 at the distal end portion of the guide wire 1 as in the example shown in Figure 9 . Figure 9 This is an example where the groove portion 4 is formed by the spiral groove 3, but the same applies when the groove portion 4 is formed by a plurality of circumferential grooves 6. With such a structure, the distal end portion of the guide wire 1 can be imparted with high X-ray contrast by the coil 9 made of a material having radiopacity, for example, and the flexibility of the distal end portion of the guide wire 1 can be ensured by the flexibility of the coil 9. On the other hand, the flexibility and torque transmission property can be achieved simultaneously with the groove portion 4 provided on the proximal end side compared with the coil 9.

[0066] From the viewpoint of easily achieving both flexibility and torque transmission property, it is preferable that the groove portion 4 is provided at a position at least on the proximal end side with respect to the distal end portion of the guide wire 1 as in Figure 1 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figures 9 to 13 shown. Figure 1 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figures 9 to 13 This is an example where the groove portion 4 is formed by the spiral groove 3, but the same applies when the groove portion 4 is formed by a plurality of circumferential grooves 6.

[0067] It may also be a structure having at least a resin coating layer 10 mainly made of a synthetic resin and a hydrophilic outermost layer 11 at the distal end portion of the guide wire 1 as in Figures 10 to 13 shown. Figures 10 to 13 This is an example where the groove portion 4 is formed by the spiral groove 3, but the same applies when the groove portion 4 is formed by a plurality of circumferential grooves 6. With such a structure, it is also possible to easily achieve both flexibility and torque transmission property.

[0068] Figure 1The guide wire 1 of the first embodiment shown has a distal end member 12, a cannula 7, and a wire 2. The distal end of the guide wire 1 is constituted by the distal end member 12, and the distal end member 12 is fixed to the distal end portion of the cannula 7. The wire 2 has a wire main body 2a extending from the proximal portion of the guide wire 1 to the proximal end side end portion (base end portion) of the cannula 7, and an insertion portion 2b inserted into the interior of the cannula 7 from the distal end of the wire main body 2a and extending toward the distal end portion of the cannula 7 while being separated from the inner peripheral surface of the cannula 7. The groove portion 4 is provided in a portion of the wire main body 2a ranging from a portion between the base end portion and the distal end portion to the distal end portion and the insertion portion 2b. The distal end of the insertion portion 2b is provided on the proximal end side with respect to the distal end member 12. The insertion portion 2b has a tapered shape in which the thickness of the wire 2 gradually decreases from the base end portion toward the distal end side.

[0069] For example, the wire 2 may also be Figure 6 configured as in the second embodiment shown, where the distal end of the insertion portion 2b is provided at a position in contact with the distal end member 12 and fixed to the distal end member 12.

[0070] The wire 2 may also be Figure 7 configured as in the third embodiment shown, where the insertion portion 2b is not provided. In this case, from the viewpoint of improving the bonding strength, it is preferable that the bonding surface 13 between the base end portion of the cannula 7 and the distal end portion of the wire main body 2a is Figure 8 configured as an inclined surface inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the length direction of the wire 2 as shown.

[0071] The guide wire 1 of the first to third embodiments has a resin coating layer 10 on the outer surface of the portion of the wire main body 2a other than the groove portion 4, and a hydrophilic outermost layer 11 on the groove portion 4 of the wire main body 2a and the outer surface of the cannula 7.

[0072] In the first to third embodiments, the wire 2 can be formed of, for example, a nickel-titanium alloy (Ni-Ti alloy) or the like. The cannula 7 can be formed of, for example, tungsten or the like. The resin coating layer 10 can be formed of, for example, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) or the like. The bonding between the cannula 7 and the wire 2 can be performed by, for example, bonding, welding, or the like.

[0073] Figure 9The guide wire 1 of the fourth embodiment shown has a coil 9, a coil front-end member 14, a coil base-end member 15, a wire 2, and a base-end side core member 16. The front end of the coil 9 is fixed to the wire 2 via the coil front-end member 14, and the base end of the coil 9 is fixed to the wire 2 via the coil base-end member 15. The wire 2 has a wire main body 2a extending from the joint portion 17 with the base-end side core member 16 to the coil base-end member 15, and an insertion portion 2b inserted into the interior of the coil 9 from the front end of the wire main body 2a and extending toward the front end portion of the coil 9 while leaving the inner peripheral surface of the coil 9. A groove portion 4 is provided toward the front end side from a portion between the base end portion and the front end portion of the wire main body 2a.

[0074] The front end of the insertion portion 2b of the guide wire 1 of the fourth embodiment is fixed to the coil front-end member 14.

[0075] The front end portion of the insertion portion 2b of the guide wire 1 of the fourth embodiment has a flat, reshaping portion 18. The reshaping portion 18 can be formed by, for example, annealing, work hardening, or the like.

[0076] The guide wire 1 of the fourth embodiment has a groove deepening portion 4a (the thickness of the wire 2 is constant), a constant portion 4c where both the thickness of the wire 2 and the depth of the groove are constant, and a wire tip detail portion 4b (the depth of the groove is constant) in this order from the base end side toward the front end side. In addition, the constant portion 4c also exists in the first to third embodiments.

[0077] The guide wire 1 of the fourth embodiment has a resin coating layer 10 on the outer surface of the portion of the wire main body 2a on the base end side with respect to the groove portion 4, and a hydrophilic outermost layer 11 on the outer surface of the portion of the wire main body 2a including the groove portion 4 and the coil 9.

[0078] In the fourth embodiment, the wire 2 can be formed of, for example, a nickel-titanium alloy (Ni-Ti alloy) or the like. The coil 9 can be formed of, for example, a metal having high X-ray contrast, such as a platinum-iridium alloy (Pt-Ir alloy), gold (Au), or the like. The base-end side core member 16 can be formed of, for example, stainless steel or the like. The resin coating layer 10 can be formed of, for example, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) or the like.

[0079] Figure 10 The guide wire 1 of the fifth embodiment shown has a coil 9, a coil front-end member 14, a coil base-end member 15, and a wire 2. The front end of the coil 9 is fixed to the wire 2 via the coil front-end member 14, and the base end of the coil 9 is fixed to the wire 2 via the coil base-end member 15. The wire 2 has a wire main body 2a extending from the base end portion to the coil base-end member 15, and an insertion portion 2b inserted into the interior of the coil 9 from the front end of the wire main body 2a and extending toward the front end portion of the coil 9. A groove portion 4 is provided toward the front end side from a portion between the base end portion and the front end portion of the wire main body 2a.

[0080] The tip of the insertion portion 2b of the guide wire 1 of the fifth embodiment is fixed to the coil tip member 14.

[0081] The insertion portion 2b of the guide wire 1 of the fifth embodiment has a shapeable portion 18. The shapeable portion 18 can be formed by, for example, annealing, work hardening, etc.

[0082] The guide wire 1 of the fifth embodiment has a groove deepening portion 4a (the thickness of the wire 2 is constant), a constant portion 4c where both the thickness of the wire 2 and the depth of the groove are constant, and a wire tip detail portion 4b (the depth of the groove becomes shallower toward the front end) in this order from the proximal end side toward the distal end side.

[0083] The guide wire 1 of the fifth embodiment has a first resin coating layer 10a on the outer surface of the portion of the wire main body 2a closer to the proximal end side than the groove portion 4, a second resin coating layer 10b on the outer surface of the portion of the wire main body 2a including the groove portion 4 and the coil 9, and a hydrophilic outermost layer 11 on the outer surface side of the first resin coating layer 10a and the second resin coating layer 10b.

[0084] In the fifth embodiment, the wire 2 can be formed of, for example, a nickel-titanium alloy (Ni-Ti alloy), etc. The coil 9 can be formed of, for example, a metal having high X-ray contrast, such as gold (Au), a platinum-iridium alloy (Pt-Ir alloy), etc. The first resin coating layer 10a can be formed of, for example, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), etc. The second resin coating layer 10b can be formed of, for example, polyurethane, etc.

[0085] Figure 11 The guide wire 1 of the sixth embodiment shown has a wire 2 extending from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion of the guide wire 1. The groove portion 4 is provided from the portion between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion of the wire 2 toward the distal end side.

[0086] The guide wire 1 of the sixth embodiment has a groove deepening portion 4a (the thickness of the wire 2 is constant) and a constant portion 4c where both the thickness of the wire 2 and the depth of the groove are constant in this order from the proximal end side toward the distal end side.

[0087] The constant portion 4c of the guide wire 1 of the sixth embodiment extends to the distal end portion of the guide wire 1.

[0088] The guide wire 1 of the sixth embodiment has a resin coating layer 10 on the outer surface of the wire 2 within the range from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion, and a hydrophilic outermost layer 11 on the outer surface side of the resin coating layer 10.

[0089] In the sixth embodiment, the wire 2 can be formed of, for example, a nickel-titanium alloy (Ni-Ti alloy) or the like. The resin coating layer 10 can be formed of, for example, polyurethane blended with tungsten fine powder or the like.

[0090] Figure 12 The guide wire 1 of the seventh embodiment shown has a wire 2 extending from the base end portion to the tip end portion of the guide wire 1, and a contrast member 19. The wire 2 has a wire main body 2a extending from the base end portion to the contrast member 19, and an insertion portion 2b inserted into the inside of the annular contrast member 19 from the tip of the wire main body 2a and extending toward the tip end portion of the contrast member 19. The contrast member 19 is fixed to the insertion portion 2b. The groove portion 4 is provided on the portion between the base end portion and the tip end portion of the wire 2 toward the tip end side.

[0091] The guide wire 1 of the seventh embodiment has a groove deepening portion 4a (the thickness of the wire 2 is constant) and a constant portion 4c in which both the thickness of the wire 2 and the depth of the groove are constant in the order of the groove deepening portion 4a and the constant portion 4c from the base end side toward the tip end side.

[0092] The guide wire 1 of the seventh embodiment has a resin coating layer 10 on the outer surfaces of the wire 2 and the contrast member 19 in the range from the base end portion to the tip end portion, and has a hydrophilic outermost layer 11 on the outer surface side of the resin coating layer 10.

[0093] The resin coating layer 10 of the guide wire 1 of the seventh embodiment has an increased thickness at its tip end portion so that the thickness of the guide wire 1 is constant from the base end portion to the tip end portion.

[0094] In the seventh embodiment, the wire 2 can be formed of, for example, a nickel-titanium alloy (Ni-Ti alloy) or the like. The contrast member 19 can be formed of a metal having high X-ray contrast, such as gold (Au), a platinum-iridium alloy (Pt-Ir alloy), or the like. The resin coating layer 10 can be formed of, for example, polyurethane blended with tungsten fine powder or the like.

[0095] Figure 13 The guide wire 1 of the eighth embodiment shown has a wire 2 extending from the base end portion to the tip end portion of the guide wire 1. The groove portion 4 is provided on the portion between the base end portion and the tip end portion of the wire 2 toward the tip end side. The groove deepening portion 4a (the thickness of the wire 2 is constant) and the wire tip fine portion 4b are provided in the order of the groove deepening portion 4a and the wire tip fine portion 4b from the base end side toward the tip end side.

[0096] The guide wire 1 of the eighth embodiment has a portion where the thickness of the wire 2 is constant and the groove portion 4 is not provided at a position closer to the tip end side than the wire tip fine portion 4b which is also configured as the groove deepening portion 4a.

[0097] In the guide wire 1 according to the eighth embodiment, a resin coating layer 10 is provided on the outer surface of the wire 2 within the range from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion, and a hydrophilic outermost layer 11 is provided on the outer surface side of the resin coating layer 10.

[0098] The resin coating layer 10 of the guide wire 1 according to the eighth embodiment has an increased thickness at its distal end portion so that the thickness of the guide wire 1 is made constant from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion.

[0099] In the eighth embodiment, the wire 2 can be formed of, for example, a nickel-titanium alloy (Ni-Ti alloy) or the like. The resin coating layer 10 can be formed of, for example, polyurethane blended with tungsten fine powder or the like.

[0100] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof.

[0101] Therefore, the guide wire 1 of the above-described embodiment can be variously modified as long as it is a guide wire 1 having a wire 2 extending in the length direction of the guide wire 1, the wire 2 having a groove portion 4 constituted by a spiral groove 3 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the wire 2 in a spiral track-like manner, or a groove portion 4 constituted by a plurality of circumferential grooves 6 arranged along the axial direction of the wire 2 and each extending on the outer peripheral surface of the wire 2 along an annular track, and the spiral groove 3 or each circumferential groove 6 in the groove portion 4 having a bridge portion 5 at one or more positions for each turn, the bridge portion 5 being a portion where the groove is discontinuous or a portion where the groove depth is less than or equal to one-half of the maximum depth for each turn.

[0102] Reference Numeral Explanation

[0103] 1 Guide wire

[0104] 2 Wire

[0105] 2a Wire main body

[0106] 2b Insertion portion

[0107] 3 Spiral groove

[0108] 4 Groove portion

[0109] 4a Groove deepening portion

[0110] 4b Wire tip detailed portion

[0111] 4c Constant portion

[0112] 5 Bridge portion

[0113] 6 Circumferential groove

[0114] 7 Bobbin

[0115] 8 Slit

[0116] 9 Coil

[0117] 10 Resin coating layer

[0118] 10a First resin coating layer

[0119] 10b Second resin coating layer

[0120] 11 Hydrophilic outermost layer

[0121] 12 Front-end component

[0122] 13 Joint surface

[0123] 14 Coil front-end component

[0124] 15 Coil base-end component

[0125] 16 Base-end side core component

[0126] 17 Joint part

[0127] 18 Remoldable part

[0128] 19 Contrast component

Claims

1. A guide wire, wherein, A wire extending along the longitudinal direction of the guide wire, The wire has a groove portion formed by spiral grooves formed on the outer peripheral surface of the wire in a spiral trajectory manner. The spiral grooves have bridge portions at one or more positions for each turn. The bridge portions are parts where the groove is discontinuous or the groove depth is less than or equal to one-half of the maximum depth of each turn.

2. The guide wire according to claim 1, wherein, The bridge portions are arranged at intervals of 150 - 170° or 190 - 210°.

3. A guide wire, wherein, A wire extending along the longitudinal direction of the guide wire, The wire has a groove portion formed by a plurality of circumferential grooves arranged along the axial direction of the wire and extending on the outer peripheral surface of the wire along a circular trajectory respectively. Each of the circumferential grooves has bridge portions at one or more positions for each turn. The bridge portions are parts where the groove is discontinuous or the groove depth is less than or equal to one-half of the maximum depth of each turn.

4. The guide wire according to claim 3, wherein, Each of the circumferential grooves has the bridge portions at two positions opposite to each other in the radial direction of the wire.

5. The guide wire according to claim 4, wherein, As it approaches the front end of the wire, the bridge portions are arranged with a stagger of 75 - 85° or 95 - 105° in each of the circumferential grooves.

6. The guide wire according to claim 1 or 3, wherein, The groove portion has a portion that becomes softer as the groove width proportion in one groove pitch increases as it approaches the front end of the wire.

7. The guide wire according to claim 6, wherein, The groove width is constant in the portion of the groove portion.

8. The guide wire according to claim 1 or 3, wherein, The groove portion has a portion that becomes softer as the groove becomes deeper as it approaches the front end of the wire.

9. The guide wire according to claim 1 or 3, wherein, The groove portion has a portion that becomes softer as the wire becomes thinner as it approaches the front end of the wire.

10. The guide wire according to claim 1 or 3, wherein, The groove portion has a portion that becomes softer as the circumferential length of the bridge portion becomes shorter as it approaches the front end of the wire.

11. The guide wire according to claim 1 or 3, wherein, A coil or a tube with a slit is provided at the front end portion of the guide wire.

12. The guide wire according to claim 11, wherein, The groove portion is at least located on the proximal side relative to the front end portion of the guide wire.

13. The guide wire according to claim 1 or 3, wherein, At least at the front end portion of the guide wire, there is a resin coating layer mainly made of synthetic resin and a hydrophilic outermost layer.

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