Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Flexible catheter guide
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-15
2001-03-06
Hindenburg, Max (Department: 3736)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Flexible catheter guide
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196980
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns a male connector for a guide wire. More specifically, the invention concerns a male connector with conductors, presenting a continuous outer surface to preclude contamination of conductors.
Guide wires are generally known in the art. Their use is, for example, in connection with the treatment of coronary disease. As is conventional, a contrast media is used in connection with an x-ray of a blood vessel to show occlusion, however, without showing a cross section of a stenosis. Complicating the diagnosis of the problem is that different patients have different blood flow. It is accepted that measurement of the pressure is the best way to diagnose the significance of the stenosis. In use of the guide wire, it is introduced into the femoral artery and then positioned in the desired area. Once the guide wire is positioned, a catheter is introduced over the guide wire. A balloon dilation may then be done. An electrical connector is desirable to use at the proximal end of the guide wire, permitting a change of the catheter. However, such changeable connectors may be contaminated by blood and other bodily fluids at the time the catheter is changed.
A guide wire assembly with connectors is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,159, Christian. These connectors, however, do not work well after blood contamination, which may cause a short circuit. In addition, the '159 patent is an example of a connector with crevices which are difficult to clean.
Other electrical connectors are known, however, not used within the guide wire situation which requires an extremely small size connector. U.S. Pat. No. 3,289,149, Palowski, shows a multiple contact jack assembly. Such a construction, which however may show what appears to be continuous surface, in fact has joints which create a capillary action allowing penetration of bodily fluids therein. With the small size required by the guide wire, the bodily fluids can create a short circuit in the contact.
Other conventional electric connector plugs and sockets are known. These include, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,238,834, Travers; U.S. Pat. No. 3,766,512, Falbet. Again, these are relatively large devices and unusable in connection with a guide wire.
Consequently, there remains a need for a contact which can be used with the restricted small size of a guide wire, which has a cylindrical or smooth outer surface which is easy to clean from blood. In addition, there remains a need for a contact which can be used in situations where there might be contamination by human or animal body fluid, which avoids contamination by those fluids which could otherwise cause a short circuit.
In addition, there is a need for a male connector for a guide wire which can be automatically cleaned upon connection to the female member.
Further need in the industry is for a guide wire male connector which is relatively straightforward to manufacture, in spite of the restricted small size imposed by using as part of a guide wire.
There is also a need for a guide wire which includes a contact which is as forgiving as possible of handling by the physician, including, for example, bending.
Finally, there remains a need for an improved connector for a guide wire for use in changing catheters.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a male contact which has a smooth, continuous outer surface from which blood is readily cleaned before connecting to a female contact. Additionally, it is the object of the present invention to prevent blood contamination which would otherwise cause a short circuit.
It is yet another object of the present invention to create a male contact which is automatically cleaned upon connection to a female member. A further object of the present invention is to create a contact which is as forgiving as possible of manipulation by the user.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide an improved connector for use on a guide wire in connection with catheters.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a relatively easily manufactured connector useful at the small dimensions of a guide wire.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a male connector for a guide wire. The male connector includes a core wire. There are a plurality of conductive members spaced apart longitudinally along the core wire. A continuous insulating material is disposed between the core wire and the respective conductive members, the insulating material having an outer surface coextensive with outer surfaces of the conductive members. There is at least one conductor, disposed along the core wire, connected to the conductive members.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the conductive members include a bent tongue; in another aspect, the conductive members include an unbent tongue.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided an insulating coating on the core wire, between the core wire and the conductive members. In accordance with a different aspect of the invention there is provided insulating coatings on the insides of the conductive members.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a connector for a guide wire includes the male connector. The female includes a wiper device complementary to the male connector.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of precluding contamination by human or animal body fluid and the like in an electrical connector having a male member and a female member. An elongated guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end is provided, the male member being positioned at the proximal end thereof. A smooth, coextensive surface is formed on the male member, the male member having a electrical conductors thereon and include insulating material therebetween. The distal end of the guide wire is inserted into the body in the presence of body fluid. A catheter is slid over the guide wire and into the body wherein body fluids surround and enter at least a portion of the catheter. The male member is engaged into the female member, the female member having complementary conductors therein. The male and female members are disengaged. The catheter is removed from the body by sliding the catheter over the guide wire wherein body fluids are deposited on the smooth surface of the male member. The body fluids are removed from the smooth surface without leaving body fluid on or between the conductors, thus precluding contamination.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2238834 (1941-04-01), Travers
patent: 3289149 (1966-11-01), Pawloski
patent: 3766512 (1973-10-01), Falbet
patent: 4603696 (1986-08-01), Cross, Jr. et al.
patent: 4711027 (1987-12-01), Harris
patent: 4850359 (1989-07-01), Putz
patent: 4958642 (1990-09-01), Christian et al.
patent: 4961433 (1990-10-01), Christian
patent: 4967753 (1990-11-01), Haase et al.
patent: 5105818 (1992-04-01), Christian et al.
patent: 5141444 (1992-08-01), Redmond et al.
patent: 5178159 (1993-01-01), Christian
patent: 5240437 (1993-08-01), Christian
patent: 5357979 (1994-10-01), Imran
patent: 5509411 (1996-04-01), Littman et al.
Akerfeldt Dan
Hammarstroem Ola
Jensen Peter
Foley & Lardner
Hindenburg Max
Radi Medical System AB
LandOfFree
Male connector with a continuous surface for a guide wire,... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Male connector with a continuous surface for a guide wire,..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Male connector with a continuous surface for a guide wire,... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2486826