Intravascular device having a selectively defectable tip

Abstract

An intravascular device, such as s guidewire device, includes a hollow proximal section and a hollow distal section joined to the proximal section and extending distally from the proximal section to form a continuous lumen extending from a proximal end of the device to a distal end of the device. An inner member extends from the proximal end to the distal end and is joined to the distal end. The inner member is translatable within the lumen in response to applied tension. At least the distal section includes a micro-fabricated cutting pattern that enables deflection of the distal end in response to the application of tension to the inner member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An intravascular device, comprising:
 an elongated hollow proximal section;   an elongated hollow distal section joined to the proximal section and extending distally from the proximal section to form a continuous lumen extending from a proximal end of the device to a distal end of the device; and   an inner member extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the inner member being joined to the distal end and being translatable within the lumen in response to applied tension or compression,   wherein at least the distal section includes a micro-fabricated cutting pattern that enables deflection of the distal end in response to the application of tension or compression to the inner member, and   wherein the cutting pattern includes a one-beam section having a plurality of beams substantially aligned on a single side to create a preferred bending direction.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal section is biased toward a pre-curved shape such that the application of tension to the inner member causes straightening of the distal section. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal section is biased toward a straight shape such that the application of tension to the inner member causes curving of the distal section. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting pattern further comprises a two-beam section. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the two-beam section is proximal of the one-beam section. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting pattern further comprises a one-beam section in which beams are not aligned on a single side. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the one one-beam section in which beams are not aligned on a single side is proximal of the one-beam section having beams substantially aligned on a single side. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a polymeric tip joined to the distal end. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the polymeric tip is formed from an adhesive material and wherein the inner member is joined to the distal end via the adhesive material. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal section is a stainless steel tube. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal section is formed from a nickel-titanium alloy. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal section and the distal section are made from different materials. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner member is formed from stainless steel. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner member is a ground stainless steel core that has a wider cross-sectional diameter at a more proximal section and a narrower cross-sectional diameter at a more distal section. 
     
     
         15 . An intravascular system, comprising:
 a catheter; and   a guidewire device with a deflectable distal tip, the guidewire device being configured to enable passage of the catheter thereover such that deflection of the guidewire enables corresponding deflection of the catheter, the guidewire device comprising
 an elongated hollow proximal section; 
 an elongated hollow distal section joined to the proximal section and extending distally from the proximal section to form a continuous lumen extending from a proximal end of the device to a distal end of the device; and 
 an inner member extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the inner member being joined to the distal end and being translatable within the lumen in response to applied tension or compression, 
 wherein at least the distal section includes a micro-fabricated cutting pattern that enables deflection of the distal end in response to the application of tension or compression to the inner member, and 
 wherein the cutting pattern includes a one-beam section having a plurality of beams substantially aligned on a single side to create a preferred bending direction. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the guidewire device further comprises a polymeric tip formed from an adhesive material, and wherein the inner member is joined to the distal end via the adhesive material. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the proximal section of the guidewire device is a stainless steel tube and the distal section of the guidewire device is formed from a nickel-titanium alloy. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the proximal section of the guidewire device and the distal section of the guidewire device are made from different materials. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the cutting pattern further comprises a two-beam section proximal of the one-beam section. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the cutting pattern further comprises a one-beam section in which beams are not aligned on a single side, the one-beam section in which beams are not aligned on a single side being proximal of the one-beam section having beams substantially aligned on a single side.