Composite wires for use in medical procedures and associated methods

Abstract

A composite wire, such as a guide wire, may include a principal section with a relatively large outer diameter, as well as one or more reduced sections with smaller outer diameters. The relatively small outer diameter of each reduced section may be defined by an inner element of the composite wire, while the relatively large outer diameter of the principal section may be defined by one or more outer elements that reside on, and may surround, the inner element. The inner and outer elements may be formed from materials that impart the composite wire with one or more desired characteristics, such as a stiffness, hardness and flexibility. In specific embodiments, the inner element may comprise a standard, small diameter guide wire, while the outer element comprises a polymer.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A composite wire for use in a medical procedure, comprising:
 an inner element comprising an elongated structure having a first outer diameter and a first length, the first outer diameter of the inner element being uniform along an entirety of the first length of the inner element; and   an outer element comprising an elongated structure comprising a polymer and having a second outer diameter and a second length, and including a lumen extending through an entirety of the second length, the lumen having an inner diameter receiving the first outer diameter of the inner element, the inner diameter of the outer element being about the same as the first outer diameter of the inner element, the second length being shorter than the first length,   the inner element and the outer element having an assembled relationship in which:
 the outer element is secured to the inner element to prevent movement of the outer element along a length of the inner element; 
 at least a portion of the inner element is exposed laterally beyond an end of the outer element to form at least one reduced section of a composite wire; and 
 the outer element forms at least one principal section of the composite wire. 
   
     
     
         2 . The composite wire of  claim 1 , wherein the inner element comprises a guide wire. 
     
     
         3 . The composite wire of  claim 2 , wherein the outer diameter of the guide wire is 0.010 inch to 0.018 inch. 
     
     
         4 . The composite wire of  claim 2 , wherein the guide wire comprises a standard guide wire that comprises a metal, a metal alloy or a polymer. 
     
     
         5 . The composite wire of  claim 1 , wherein an outer diameter of the inner element defines an outer diameter of the reduced section of the composite wire. 
     
     
         6 . The composite wire of  claim 1 , wherein the outer element comprises polyether ether ketone (PEEK). 
     
     
         7 . The composite wire of  claim 1 , wherein the second outer diameter is 0.025 inch to 0.040 inch. 
     
     
         8 . The composite wire of  claim 1 , wherein the second outer diameter defines a principal outer diameter of the composite wire. 
     
     
         9 . The composite wire of  claim 1 , including a tapered region at an end of the outer element. 
     
     
         10 . A composite wire for use in a medical procedure, comprising:
 an inner element comprising an elongated structure having a first outer diameter and a first length; and   an outer element comprising an elongated structure comprising a polymer and having a second outer diameter and a second length, and including a lumen extending through an entirety of the second length, the lumen having an inner diameter receiving the first outer diameter of the inner element, the inner diameter of the outer element being about the same as the first outer diameter of the inner element, the second length being shorter than the first length,   the inner element and the outer element having an assembled relationship in which:
 the outer element is secured to the inner element to prevent movement of the outer element along a length of the inner element; 
 at least a portion of the inner element is exposed laterally beyond an end of the outer element to form at least one reduced section of a composite wire, an outer diameter of the inner element defining an outer diameter of the at least one reduced section of the composite wire; and 
 the outer element forms at least one principal section of the composite wire. 
   
     
     
         11 . The composite wire of  claim 10 , wherein the inner element has a non-uniform outer diameter. 
     
     
         12 . The composite wire of  claim 10 , wherein at least one recess is formed in an outer surface of the inner element. 
     
     
         13 . The composite wire of  claim 10 , wherein the inner element comprises a guide wire. 
     
     
         14 . The composite wire of  claim 10 , wherein the second outer diameter defines a principal outer diameter of the composite wire. 
     
     
         15 . The composite wire of  claim 10 , including a tapered region at an end of the outer element. 
     
     
         16 . A composite wire for use in a medical procedure, comprising:
 an inner element comprising an elongated structure having a first outer diameter and a first length; and   an outer element comprising an elongated structure comprising a polymer and having a second outer diameter and a second length, and including a lumen extending through an entirety of the second length, the lumen having an inner diameter receiving the first outer diameter of the inner element, the inner diameter of the outer element being about the same as the first outer diameter of the inner element, the second length being shorter than the first length,   a tapered region at an end of the outer element,   the inner element and the outer element having an assembled relationship in which:
 the outer element is secured to the inner element to prevent movement of the outer element along a length of the inner element; 
 at least a portion of the inner element is exposed laterally beyond an end of the outer element to form at least one reduced section of a composite wire; and 
 the outer element forms at least one principal section of the composite wire. 
   
     
     
         17 . The composite wire of  claim 16 , wherein the inner element has a non-uniform outer diameter. 
     
     
         18 . The composite wire of  claim 16 , wherein at least one recess is formed in an outer surface of the inner element. 
     
     
         19 . The composite wire of  claim 16 , wherein the inner element comprises a guide wire. 
     
     
         20 . The composite wire of  claim 16 , wherein the second outer diameter defines a principal outer diameter of the composite wire.