Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

The coil spring guide (12) is particularly adapted for use in connection with the insertion of a catheter into a vessel of a body. The guide (12) comprises a coil spring (14), a core wire (16) within the coil spring (14) extending the length of the coil spring (14) and a head member (20). A thin core wire extension (18) connects the distal end of the core wire (16) to the head member (20) and the coil spring (14) and head member (20) are covered with a sheath (26). The coils or turns of the coil spring (14) in the distal end portion of the coil spring (14) are spaced from each other. A mechanism (58, 70; 60, 80) is provided at the proximal end (54) of the coil spring guide (12) for causing movement of the core wire (16) relative to the coil spring (14). The core wire extension (18) is eccentrically fixed to the back side (22) of the head member (20) adjacent to a lateral side (28) thereof whereby rearward movement of the core wire (16) causes compression of the distal end portion of the coil spring (14) and lateral movement thereof to one side of the center line of the coil spring (14) and in a direction outwardly from the lateral side (28) of the head member (20) to which the core wire extension is fixed.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim