Torsionally stabilized guide wire with outer jacket

Abstract

Torsionally stabilized guide wire for use in larger vessels of the vascular system. A relatively flexible helical coil is positioned over the distal end portion of an elongated shaft which increases in flexibility toward its distal end. The coil is affixed to the shaft at the proximal and distal ends of the coil and at an intermediate point near the distal end. A jacket having an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the coil covers the shaft between the proximal end of the shaft and the proximal end of the coil. In one disclosed embodiment, the jacket is formed by heat shrinking a tubular sleeve of polyethylene about the shaft.

We claim: 
     
       1. In a guide wire for use in the vascular system: an elongated shaft having a relatively flexible distal end portion, a helical coil extending over the distal end portion of the shaft and a substantial portion of the shaft proximal to the relatively flexible distal end portion, and helical coil being affixed to the shaft at its ends and at a point between its ends, and a jacket of polyethylene heat shrunk about the shaft proximally of the helical coil and having a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the wire which forms the coil and an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the coil. 
     
     
       2. The guide wire of claim 1 including a tip of radiopaque material at the distal end of the shaft. 
     
     
       3. The guide wire of claim 1 wherein the helical coil is coated with Teflon. 
     
     
       4. The guide wire of claim 1 wherein the distal end portion of the shaft decreases in cross-sectional dimension toward the distal end of the shaft. 
     
     
       5. The guide wire of claim 4 wherein the cross-sectional dimension of the distal end portion decreases in discrete steps. 
     
     
       6. The guide wire of claim 1 wherein the windings toward the distal end of the coil are spread apart for greater flexibility and ease of shaping. 
     
     
       7. The guide wire of claim 1 wherein one end of the coil is bonded to the shaft by a cyanoacrylate adhesive. 
     
     
       8. In a guide wire for use in the vascular system: an elongated shaft having a distal end portion of progressively smaller cross-sectional dimension and increasing flexibility extending for a distance on the order of 10-30% of the length of the shaft, a relatively flexible helical coil positioned coaxially of the shaft and extending from a point proximal to the midpoint of the shaft to the distal end of the shaft with the ends of the coil being affixed to the shaft, and a tubular jacket covering the shaft proximally of the coil and having a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the wire forming the coil and an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the coil. 
     
     
       9. The guide wire of claim 8 wherein the helical coil is also affixed to the shaft at a point between the ends of the coil. 
     
     
       10. The guide wire of claim 8 including a tip of radiopaque material at the distal end of the shaft. 
     
     
       11. The guide wire of claim 8 wherein the tubular jacket is fabricated of a polyethylene tubing which is heat shrunk about the shaft. 
     
     
       12. The guide wire of claim 8 wherein the tubular jacket is fabricated of Teflon. 
     
     
       13. The guide wire of claim 8 wherein the helical coil is coated with Teflon. 
     
     
       14. The guide wire of claim 8 wherein the distal end portion of the shaft has a plurality of sections of progressively smaller diameter, and a flattened tip portion of rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
       15. The guide wire of claim 8 wherein the windings of the coil toward the distal end of the shaft are spread apart for greater flexibility and ease of shaping. 
     
     
       16. The guide wire of claim 8 wherein the proximal end portion of the coil is bonded to the shaft by a cyanoacrylate adhesive. .Iadd. 
     
     
       17.  In a guide wire for use in the vascular system: an elongated shaft having a relatively flexible distal end portion, a helical coil extending over the distal end portion of the shaft and a substantial portion of the shaft proximal to the relatively flexible distal end portion, said helical coil being affixed to the shaft at its ends and at a point between its ends and a plastic jacket heat shrunk about the shaft proximally of the helical coil and having a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the wire which forms the coil and an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the coil. .Iaddend.