Importance

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Abstract

A medical guidewire includes a distal end for entering and navigating in a lumen. The distal end comprises a core having a length for navigating the guidewire in the lumen. A formable distal tip is included at the distal end of the core, and a sleeve element substantially surrounds the core over less than a majority of the length of the core. The sleeve element is rotatable with respect to the core, and is offset proximally of the formable distal tip such that the formable distal tip is movable independently of the sleeve element. The sleeve element is positively coupled to the core such that the sleeve element and the core move substantially conjointly axially within the lumen. An improvement for improving navigability of a medical guidewire in a lumen is also provided. The improvement comprises a sleeve element separate from and disposed around the core. The sleeve element is rotatable with respect to the core. Multiple sleeve elements may be provided on a single core. Further provided is a method of navigating a medical guidewire within a lumen having an interior surface. The method generally comprises the steps of: providing a medical guidewire having a core for navigating the guidewire within the lumen and a sleeve element surrounding the core and being rotatable with respect to the core; engaging the sleeve element with the interior surface; and rotating the core with respect to the sleeve element for navigating the guidewire within the lumen. The method also provides for effective decoupling of axial and rotational movements of the guidewire.

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First Claim