Thermoplastic medical device

Abstract

An medical device such as a guidewire or a catheter having a flexible elongate component which comprises a thermoplastic rigid rod polymer, which component may comprise a bundle of threads, a sleeve, a coil, a co-extrusion, a strut, or other suitable component.

1 . A guidewire, comprising:
 an atraumatic distal tip;   a distal end;   a proximal end;   an elongate core made from a thermoplastic rigid rod polymer, the core extending from the atraumatic distal tip to the proximal end; and   a polymeric sheath disposed over the core.   
     
     
         2 . The guidewire of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate core comprises a plurality of long, flexible elements disposed in parallel. 
     
     
         3 . The guidewire of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of long, flexible elements is made from a first polymer which is a substituted poly(1,4-phenylene). 
     
     
         4 . The guidewire of  claim 3 , wherein the first polymer comprises a plurality of benzoyl substituted 1,4-phenylene units. 
     
     
         5 . The guidewire of  claim 2 , wherein the elongate core is a core wire. 
     
     
         6 . The guidewire of  claim 5 , wherein the core wire extends from a position proximate the proximal end of the guidewire to a position proximate the distal end of the guidewire. 
     
     
         7 . The guidewire of  claim 5 , wherein a substantial length of the core wire has a circular cross sectional shape. 
     
     
         8 . The guidewire of  claim 5 , wherein a substantial length of the core wire has a rectangular cross sectional shape. 
     
     
         9 . The guidewire of  claim 5 , wherein a substantial length of the core wire has a cruciate cross sectional shape. 
     
     
         10 . The guidewire of  claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve disposed on the polymeric sheath, the sleeve made from the thermoplastic rigid rod polymer. 
     
     
         11 . The guidewire of  claim 10 , wherein the sleeve is an extruded tube. 
     
     
         12 . The guidewire of  claim 10 , wherein the sleeve is a coil. 
     
     
         13 . The guidewire of  claim 10 , wherein the sleeve is formed from a wound flat tape. 
     
     
         14 . The guidewire of  claim 10 , wherein the sleeve is a mesh. 
     
     
         15 . The guidewire of  claim 10 , wherein the sleeve is a weave. 
     
     
         16 . The guidewire of  claim 1 , wherein the guidewire further comprises a hydrogel coating. 
     
     
         17 . The guidewire of  claim 16 , wherein the hydrogel coating includes a therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         18 . The guidewire of  claim 1 , further comprising a paramagnetic material. 
     
     
         19 . The guidewire of  claim 18 , wherein the paramagnetic material is gadolinium (III). 
     
     
         20 . The guidewire of  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic rigid rod polymer is cross-linked.