The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 11, 1995
Filed:
May. 14, 1993
Jeffrey D Vance, Hugo, MN (US);
Schneider (USA) Inc., Plymouth, MN (US);
Abstract
A guidewire for guiding and exchanging body insertable catheters includes a body insertable guide section and an exchange section, both formed of flexible wire. In one embodiment, a pin connector at the distal end of the exchange section includes a truncated conical head, a shank, and a groove between the head and the shank. A socket connector is attached to the proximal end of the guide section. Four indentations are formed in the socket connector, spaced apart angularly 90.degree. from one another. The maximum diameter of the conical head is greater than the distance between opposed nodules, as the pin connector is insertable into the, it temporarily elastically deforms the socket as the head moves past the nodules. The nodules become captured within the groove, to allow rotation of the exchange section relative to the guide section while preventing any substantial axial relative movement of the sections. The exchange section can be disconnected from the guide section by withdrawing the pin connector proximally, again elastically deforming the socket as the head passes the nodules. The connectors permit repeated connections and disconnections, so the guidewire sections are reusable. In another embodiment, the pin connector has a cylindrical head and a narrower recess adjacent the head, and an indentation is formed in the socket connector with a gradually inclined wall that terminates in a steeply inclined edge.