Corewire Design and Construction for Medical Devices

Abstract

A guidewire for use in ear, nose and throat procedures may include an elongate core wire having a proximal region and a distal region. The distal region of the core wire may include a flattened portion adapted to provide preferential flexure along at least one axis of the wire. The distal region of the core wire may include a tip portion distal of the flattened portion, where at least one cross-sectional dimension of the tip portion is greater than at least one cross-sectional dimension of the flattened portion. The guidewire may include an outer coil disposed around at least a portion of the elongate core wire. The guidewire may also include an atraumatic tip coupled to the core wire or the outer coil.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method of making a core wire for use in ear, nose and throat procedures, the method comprising:
 fabricating an elongate wire having a proximal section and a distal section;   configuring a portion of the distal section to have preferential flexibility along at least one axis of the portion; and   configuring a distal tip portion having at least one cross sectional dimension greater than at least one cross sectional dimension of the preferentially flexible portion.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the configuration of the preferentially flexible portion is flattened. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the core wire is fabricated from a nickel titanium alloy. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising grinding at least the proximal section of the wire to form a taper. 
     
     
         27 - 29 . (canceled)