Guidewire

Abstract

Embodiments include a transition section for coupling a distal section and a proximal section of the guidewire. The transition section includes a main body having a first outer diameter; proximal and distal pin extensions having second and third outer diameters, wherein the proximal pin extension is configured to be fixed to the proximal section of the guidewire, and the distal pin extension is configured to be inserted into and fixed to the distal section of the guidewire. The distal pin extension includes a bore for receiving an inner core of the distal section of the guidewire. The first outer diameter may be greater than the second and third outer diameters. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing a guidewire with such a transition section.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A transition section for coupling a distal section and a proximal section of a guidewire, the transition section comprising:
 a main body having a first outer diameter;   a proximal pin extension having a second outer diameter, wherein the proximal pin extension extends proximally from the main body, and wherein the proximal pin extension is configured to be fixed to the proximal section of the guidewire; and   a distal pin extension having a third outer diameter, wherein the distal pin extension extends distally from the main body, and wherein the distal pin extension is configured to be inserted into and fixed to the distal section of the guidewire, the distal pin extension comprising a bore for receiving an inner core of the distal section of the guidewire;   wherein the first outer diameter is greater than the second and third outer diameters.   
     
     
         2 . The transition section of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal section of the guidewire comprises a coil, and wherein the proximal pin extension is configured to be fixed to an open end of the coil. 
     
     
         3 . The transition section of  claim 1 , wherein the distal section of the guidewire comprises a coil, and wherein the distal pin extension is configured to be fixed to an open end of the coil. 
     
     
         4 . The transition section of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal section of the guidewire comprises a first coil and the distal section of the guidewire comprises a second coil. 
     
     
         5 . The transition section of  claim 1 , wherein the second outer diameter and the third outer diameter are substantially same. 
     
     
         6 . The transition section of  claim 1 , wherein the first outer diameter is substantially same as an outer diameter of the distal section of the guidewire and an outer diameter of the proximal section of the guidewire. 
     
     
         7 . The transition section of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal pin extension and the distal pin extension extend coaxially from opposite ends of the main body. 
     
     
         8 . The transition section of  claim 7 , wherein the proximal pin extension and the distal pin extension are cylindrical. 
     
     
         9 . The transition section of  claim 8 , wherein the main body is cylindrical. 
     
     
         10 . The transition section of  claim 1 , wherein the transition section is welded to the proximal section of the guidewire and the distal section of the guidewire. 
     
     
         11 . The transition section of  claim 10 , wherein the transition section comprises a steel material. 
     
     
         12 . The transition section of  claim 1 , wherein the transition section is dimensioned to pass through a catheter for introduction into an airway of a lung of a patient. 
     
     
         13 . The transition section of  claim 1 , wherein the main body is cylindrical. 
     
     
         14 . A method of manufacturing a guidewire with a distal section and a proximal section coupled together, the method comprising:
 disposing a proximal pin extension of a transition section according to  claim 1  within a bore of the proximal section of the guidewire, wherein the proximal pin extension extends from a main body of the transition section according to  claim 1 ;   disposing ng a distal pin extension of the transition section according to  claim 1  within a bore of the distal section of the guidewire, wherein the distal pin extension extends from the main body of the transition section according to  claim 1 ;   fixing the transition section according to  claim 1  to the proximal section of the guidewire and the distal section of the guidewire; and   fixing an inner core of the distal section of the guidewire within a bore of the distal pin extension, wherein the inner core comprises a wire that extends through the distal section of the guidewire.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising fixing a ball structure at a distal end of the guidewire. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein fixing the ball structure at the distal end of the guidewire comprises disposing the inner core of the distal section of the guidewire within a bore of the ball structure. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein fixing the ball structure at the distal end of the guidewire comprises welding the ball structure to the distal end of the distal section of the guidewire. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising flattening a segment at a distal portion of the inner core, wherein the flattened segment is configured to assist in steering a distal tip of the guidewire. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising disposing one or more markers between the transition section according to  claim 1  and the flattened segment of the inner core, wherein the markers allow for remote monitoring by an imaging system. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising welding the transition section according to  claim 1  to a portion of the proximal section of the guidewire and a portion of the distal section of the guidewire. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising forming the distal section of the guidewire from a wound coil, wherein a distal region of the distal section is wound at a looser pitch than a proximal region of the distal section, so as to provide flexibility at the distal region.