Intravascular guide wire and method for manufacture thereof

Abstract

A guide wire, and a method for the manufacture thereof, having a core and a plastic jacket enclosing the core. The plastic jacket comprises a proximal portion formed of a first plastic material and a distal jacket portion formed of a second plastic material. The distal end of the proximal jacket portion and the proximal end of the distal jacket portion substantially abut each other and are of substantially equal out diameters so as to form a smooth transition between the proximal and the distal jacket portions. According to another aspect, there is provided a guide wire with a selectively formable metallic core and a plastic jacket encasing the formable core. The plastic jacket has a distal portion with a hydrophilic coating and a proximal portion without a hydrophilic coating. According to another aspect, there is provided a guide wire having a formable metallic core and a plastic jacket encasing the formable core. The plastic jacket has a distal portion that is more radiopaque than a proximal portion.

1 . A guide wire comprising: 
 an elongated core wire including a first portion and a second portion disposed adjacent the first portion;    a radiopaque coil disposed about the first portion of the core wire;    a polymer jacket including a first section disposed about the radiopaque coil, and a second section adjacent the first section and overlaying and in contact with the second portion of the core wire.    
   
   
       2 . The guide wire of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the core wire has a relatively flat cross-sectional shape.  
   
   
       3 . The guide wire of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the core wire has a relatively round cross-sectional shape.  
   
   
       4 . The guide wire of  claim 1 , wherein the radiopaque coil includes a contact portion in contact with the core wire and a spaced-apart portion spaced apart from the core wire.  
   
   
       5 . The guide wire of  claim 4 , wherein the polymer jacket extends between the core wire and the spaced-apart portion of the radiopaque coil.  
   
   
       6 . The guide wire of  claim 4 , further comprising an atraumatic tip, wherein the spaced-apart portion of the radiopaque coil extends distally to the atraumatic tip.  
   
   
       7 . The guide wire of  claim 1 , wherein the core wire comprises stainless steel.  
   
   
       8 . The guide wire of  claim 1 , wherein the radiopaque coil comprises platinum.  
   
   
       9 . The guide wire of  claim 1 , wherein the second section of the polymer jacket comprises a fluoropolymer.  
   
   
       10 . The guide wire of  claim 1 , wherein the first section of the polymer jacket comprises a polyurethane coated with a hydrophilic coating.  
   
   
       11 . A guide wire comprising: 
 an elongated body assembly including a first portion and a second portion disposed adjacent the first portion, the body assembly including an elongated core wire extending through both the first and second portions;    the first portion including a radiopaque coil disposed about the core wire, and a first section of a polymer jacket disposed about the radiopaque coil;    the second portion including a second section of the polymer jacket overlaying and in contact with the core wire.    
   
   
       12 . The guide wire of  claim 11 , wherein the core wire comprises at least two tapered sections.  
   
   
       13 . The guide wire of  claim 11 , wherein the radiopaque coil includes a contact portion in contact with the core wire and a spaced-apart portion spaced apart from the core wire.  
   
   
       14 . The guide wire of  claim 13 , wherein the core wire includes a flat ribbon portion extending through the spaced-apart portion of the radiopaque coil.  
   
   
       15 . The guide wire of  claim 13 , wherein the polymer jacket extends between the core wire and the spaced-apart portion of the radiopaque coil.  
   
   
       16 . The guide wire of  claim 13 , further comprising an atraumatic tip, wherein the spaced-apart portion of the radiopaque coil extends distally to the atraumatic tip.  
   
   
       17 . The guide wire of  claim 11 , wherein the core wire comprises stainless steel.  
   
   
       18 . The guide wire of  claim 11 , wherein the radiopaque coil comprises platinum.  
   
   
       19 . The guide wire of  claim 11 , wherein the second section of the polymer jacket comprises a fluoropolymer.  
   
   
       20 . The guide wire of  claim 11 , wherein the first section of the polymer jacket comprises a polyurethane coated with a hydrophilic coating.