Guidewire manipulation device

Abstract

One preferred embodiment includes a guidewire manipulation device for manipulating a guidewire during a procedure. Preferably, the guidewire manipulation device includes a powered motor that drives a tandem roller assembly. The guidewire is passed through a hole positioned lengthwise through the device where the roller assembly engages the guidewire's outer surface. The interface of the manipulation device includes a power button that directs the internal roller assembly to roll the guidewire in a desired rotational direction. Additional interface controls are also preferable to provide a different roll patterns, depending upon surgeon preference and guidewire placement efficiency.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A guidewire manipulation device comprising:
 a casing sized to at least partially fit within a user's hand;   a passage extending along a length of said casing and sized for passage of a guidewire therethrough;   a rotation assembly fixed within said casing and positioned to engage said guidewire positioned within said passage;   a motor disposed within said casing and operatively coupled to said roller assembly so as to drive rotation of said roller assembly;   a power supply connected to said motor; and   an interface in communication with said motor for selectively actuating movement of said motor.   
     
     
         2 . The guidewire manipulation device of  claim 1 , further comprising a lock assembly for selectively engaging said guidewire with said roller assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The guidewire manipulation device of  claim 1 , wherein said rotation assembly comprises a plurality of rollers. 
     
     
         4 . The guidewire manipulation device of  claim 1 , wherein said rotation assembly comprises a tube composed of a compressible material. 
     
     
         5 . The guidewire manipulation device of  claim 1 , wherein said rotation assembly comprises a tube including a window. 
     
     
         6 . The guidewire manipulation device of  claim 5 , further comprising a wedge sized to at least partially move through said window. 
     
     
         7 . The guidewire manipulation device of  claim 2 , wherein said lock assembly selectively moves at least one roller. 
     
     
         8 . The guidewire manipulation device of  claim 2 , wherein said lock assembly comprises a hub disposed on said casing so as to slide between a locked position and an unlocked position. 
     
     
         9 . The guidewire manipulation device of  claim 2 , wherein said lock assembly comprises a trigger configured to slide a tube positioned around said passage. 
     
     
         10 . A guidewire manipulation device comprising:
 a casing sized to at least partially fit within a user's hand;   a passage extending along a length of said casing and sized for passage of a guidewire therethrough;   a rotation assembly fixed within said casing and positioned to engage said guidewire positioned within said passage; and,   a manually actuated rotation mechanism at least partially disposed within said casing for driving said rotation assembly based on hand movement of a user.   
     
     
         11 . The guidewire manipulation device of  claim 10 , wherein said manually actuated rotation mechanism comprises a depressible handle coupled to said rotation assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The guidewire manipulation device of  claim 10 , wherein said manually actuated rotation mechanism comprises a rotatable hub. 
     
     
         13 . The guidewire manipulation device of  claim 10 , further comprising an interface disposed on said casing for modifying rotation of said guidewire by said rotation assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The guidewire manipulation device of  claim 10 , further comprising a lock assembly coupled to said rotation assembly so as to selectively engage said rotation assembly with said guidewire. 
     
     
         15 . A method of manipulating a guidewire comprising:
 introducing a guidewire into a patient;   sliding said manipulation device over said guidewire;   engaging a rotation assembly with said guidewire;   advancing said guidewire into said patient;   actuating said manipulation device to rotate said guidewire in a first direction.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said sliding said manipulation device over said guidewire further comprises holding said manipulation device in a hand. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said engaging a rotation assembly with said guidewire further comprises selectively wedging a first member against said guidewire. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said actuating said manipulation device to rotate said guidewire in a first direction further comprises activating a motor to drive said rotation assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising executing a program for determining a preprogrammed rotation of said rotation assembly. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said actuating said manipulation device to rotate said guidewire in a first direction further comprises manually driving said rotation assembly with a hand of said user.