WO1999025413A1 - Guidewire with shaped intermediate portion - Google Patents

Guidewire with shaped intermediate portion Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1999025413A1
WO1999025413A1 PCT/US1998/024758 US9824758W WO9925413A1 WO 1999025413 A1 WO1999025413 A1 WO 1999025413A1 US 9824758 W US9824758 W US 9824758W WO 9925413 A1 WO9925413 A1 WO 9925413A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
guidewire
contact regions
distal
proximal
sheath
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1998/024758
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
James C. Mcmahon
Original Assignee
Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. filed Critical Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
Priority to AU15934/99A priority Critical patent/AU1593499A/en
Publication of WO1999025413A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999025413A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M25/00—Catheters; Hollow probes
    • A61M25/01—Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters
    • A61M25/09—Guide wires
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M25/00—Catheters; Hollow probes
    • A61M25/01—Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters
    • A61M25/09—Guide wires
    • A61M2025/09175—Guide wires having specific characteristics at the distal tip

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the field of guidewires for advancing intravascular devices such as stent delivery catheters, balloon dilatation catheters and atherectomy catheters within a body lumen
  • Conventional guidewires for angioplasty, stent delivery, atherectomy and other vascular procedures usually comprise an elongated core member with one or more tapered sections near the distal end thereof and a flexible body such as a helical coil or a tubular body of polymeric material disposed about the distal portion of the core member.
  • a shapable member which may be the distal extremity of the core member or a separate shaping ribbon which is secured to the distal extremity of the core member extends through the flexible body and is secured to the distal end of the flexible body by soldering, brazing or welding which forms a rounded distal tip.
  • Torquing means are provided on the proximal end of the core member to rotate, and thereby steer, the guidewire while it is being advanced through a patient's vascular system.
  • a guiding catheter having a preformed distal tip is percutaneously introduced into a patient's peripheral artery, e.g. femoral or brachial artery, by means of a conventional Seldinger technique and advanced and steered therein until the distal tip of the guiding catheter is seated in the ostium of a desired coronary artery.
  • a patient's peripheral artery e.g. femoral or brachial artery
  • a guidewire is positioned within an inner lumen of an OTW device such as a dilatation catheter or stent delivery catheter with the distal tip of the guidewire just proximal to the distal tip of the catheter and then both are advanced through the guiding catheter to the distal end thereof.
  • an OTW device such as a dilatation catheter or stent delivery catheter
  • the guidewire is first advanced out of the distal end of the guiding catheter into the patient's coronary vasculature until the distal end of the guidewire crosses the arterial location where the interventional procedure is to be performed, e.g. a lesion to be dilated or a dilated region where a stent is to be deployed.
  • the catheter which is slidably mounted onto the guidewire, is advanced out of the guiding catheter into the patient's coronary anatomy over the previously introduced guidewire until the operative portion of the intravascular device, e.g. the balloon of a dilatation or a stent delivery catheter, is properly positioned across the arterial location. Once the catheter is in position with the operative means located within the desired arterial location, the interventional procedure is performed.
  • the catheter can then be removed from the patient over the guidewire.
  • the guidewire is left in place for a period of time after the procedure is completed to ensure reaccess to the arterial location is it is necessary.
  • a rapid exchange type perfusion balloon catheter such as described and claimed in U.S. Patent 5, 51 6,336 (Mclnnes et al), can be advanced over the in-place guidewire so that the balloon can be inflated to open up the arterial passageway and allow blood to perfuse through the distal section of the catheter to a distal location until the dissection is reattached to the arterial wall by natural healing.
  • the guidewire is first advanced by itself through the guiding catheter until the distal tip of the guidewire extends beyond the arterial location where the procedure is to be performed. Then a rail type catheter, such as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,061 ,395 (Yock) and the previously discussed Mclnnes et al. which are incorporated herein by reference, is mounted onto the proximal portion of the guidewire which extends out of the proximal end of the guiding catheter which is outside of the patient. The catheter is advanced over the catheter, while the position of the guidewire is fixed, until the operative means on the rail type catheter is disposed within the arterial location where the procedure is to be performed. After the procedure the intravascular device may be withdrawn from the patient over the guidewire or the guidewire advanced further within the coronary anatomy for an additional procedure.
  • the present invention is directed to an improved guidewire having a flexible distal section which facilitates advancement through a patient's body lumen.
  • the guidewire of the present invention has an elongated core member with proximal and distal core sections with a flexible tubular member such as a helical coil is disposed about and secured to the distal part of the distal core section.
  • the distal core section has one or more distally tapering segments.
  • the guidewire Proximal to the flexible tubular member, the guidewire has an exterior surface which is shaped to provide a plurality of contact regions and non-contact regions between adjacent contact regions.
  • the intermediate portion is defined by a sheath disposed about the core member and preferably formed of a polymeric material.
  • the contact region or regions of the intermediate portion of the guidewire is generally about 20 to about 60% of the surface of the sheath.
  • the outer diameter of the contact regions of the intermediate portion is preferably the same or approximately the same as the outer diameter of the flexible tubular member or coil on the distal part of the distal shaft section.
  • the intermediate portion may taper from the outer diameter of the proximal core section to the outer diameter of the coil.
  • the distances between the peaks of the contact regions should be about 0.05 to about 5.0 mm, preferably about 0.1 to about 0.5 mm.
  • the depth of the recessed non-contact regions may be about 0.01 to about 0.1 mm, preferably about 0.025 to about 0.075 mm as measured from the peaks of the contact regions. While the presently preferred intermediate portion of the guidewire having the contact and non-contact regions extends distally from the flexible tubular member and terminates distal to the proximal core section, the section having the contact and non-contact regions can extend proximally over most or all of the proximal core section. By reducing the area of surface contact between the guidewire and a body lumen or a catheter lumen in which the guidewire is being moved relative thereto, the resistance to movement is greatly reduced.
  • solid or liquid lubricant can be maintained within recessed non- contact regions to further reduce frictional drag on the guidewire as it moves through a lumen or the frictional drag on a catheter as the catheter is moved over the intermediate portion of the guidewire.
  • Pharmaceutical materials and diagnostic and therapeutic agents may also be incorporated into the recessed non-contact regions.
  • the intermediate guidewire portion having the contact and non-contact regions is defined by an intermediate sheath disposed about at least part of the distal guidewire section proximal to the flexible tubular member or coil on the distal part of the distal section.
  • Fig. 1 is an elevational view partially in section of a guidewire embodying features of the invention wherein a sheath forming the intermediate portion has a helically shaped ridge.
  • Fig. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the guidewire shown in Fig. 1 taken along the lines 2-2.
  • Fig. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the guidewire shown in Fig. 1 taken along the lines 3-3.
  • Fig. 4 is an elevational view partially in section of an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein a sheath on the intermediate portion has an undulating exterior surface.
  • Fig. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 taken along the lines 5-5.
  • Fig. 6 is an elevational view partially in section of an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the intermediate section has a closed figure design formed into the exterior surface thereof.
  • Fig. 7 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 taken along the lines 7-7.
  • Figs 1 -3 depict a guidewire 10 embodying features of the invention which has an elongated core member 1 1 with a proximal core section 1 2, a distal core section 1 3 and a helical coil 1 4 on the distal extremity of the distal core section.
  • An intermediate portion of the guidewire 10 proximal to the helical coil 14 is provided with a sheath 1 5, which is disposed about and secured to the distal core section 1 3, has an exterior surface 1 6 with contact regions 1 7 in the form of a helical ridge and a plurality of recessed (with respect to the contact regions) non-contact regions 1 8 disposed between adjacent contact regions.
  • the peak-to- peak distance between the adjacent contact regions 1 7 is about 0.05 to about 5 mm, preferably about 0.1 to about 0.5 mm.
  • the distal end of coil 1 4 is secured to the distal tip of the distal core section 1 3 by suitable means, such as solder, a weldment, an adhesive, a body of polymeric material and the like which forms the rounded tip 20.
  • the proximal end of the coil 1 4 is secured to the distal core section by solder 21 .
  • the proximal core section 1 2 has a polymeric jacket 22 which is preferably formed of lubricious polymeric materials such as fluoropolymers or hydrophilic materials. Other lubricious materials may be utilized.
  • An alternative embodiment of the invention is depicted in Figs.
  • the guidewire 30 has an intermediate portion proximal to the helical coil 31 covered with a sheath 32 which has an undulating exterior surface 33 with contact regions 34 in the form of a plurality of circular ridges and a plurality of recessed non-contact regions 35 between adjacent contact regions.
  • the peak- to-peak distances between the contact surfaces 34 of this embodiment are the same or approximately the same as that for the contact regions 1 7 of the previously described embodiment.
  • Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate yet another alternative embodiment of the invention in which the guidewire 40 has an intermediate portion with a sheath 41 with a closed figure texture formed in the exterior surface 42 with contact regions 43 and recessed non-contact regions 44 for essentially the same purpose as the contact and non-contact regions of the previously discussed embodiments.
  • the recessed non-contact regions may contain liquid or solid lubricant such as a fluoropolymer, a silicone coating such as MICROGLIDETM, or HYDROCOATTM. These recesses may also be employed as reservoirs for pharmaceutical materials, therapeutic agents or diagnostic agents.
  • the sheaths forming the intermediate portions of the guidewires of the present invention may be formed by first heat shrinking a thermoplastic polymeric material onto the distal core section proximal to the coil and then placing a clam-shell mold of the desired configuration about the heat shrunk material at elevated temperatures to shape the exterior of the intermediate sheath in the desired configuration.
  • Other means may also be employed.
  • the exterior surface of a tubular polymeric member may first be formed into the desired shape and then the tubular member heat shrunk onto the distal core section.
  • Other means including casting polymeric material about the distal core section into the desired shape.
  • Machining polymeric material from the exterior of a tubular polymeric member on the distal core segment may also be employed to develop the contact and non-contact regions of the intermediate sheath.
  • Suitable polymeric materials for the intermediate sheath include polyethylene, polyetheretherketone, polyvinyl chloride and polyurethane. A wide variety of other polymeric materials are contemplated.
  • the sheathed intermediate portion of the guidewire is about 4 to about 38 cm in length, preferably about 6 to about 20 cm in length.
  • the guidewires of the invention may have typical guidewire dimensions. Guidewire length may generally be about 90 to about 300 cm, and for use within a patient's coronary anatomy commercially available guidewires are typically about 1 75 cm in length. Recently, however, longer guidewires, e.g.
  • the proximal core section 1 2 may have a length of about 65 to about 280 cm, preferably about 1 50 to about 200 cm and a diameter generally about 0.008 to about 0.035 inch (0.20-0.89 mm), typically about 0.010 to about 0.020 inch (0.25-0.51 mm) for coronary artery uses.
  • the distal core section is preferably much shorter than the proximal core section and generally is about 6 to about 40 cm, preferably about 8 to about 30 cm in length and tapers in the distal direction in one or more steps to smaller transverse dimensions.
  • the core member is preferably coated with a lubricous coating such as a fluoropolymer, e.g. TEFLON ® available from DuPont, which extends the length of the proximal core section 1 2.
  • a lubricous coating such as a fluoropolymer, e.g. TEFLON ® available from DuPont, which extends the length of the proximal core section 1 2.
  • the distal section 1 3 is also provided a lubricous coating, not shown for purposes of clarity, such as a MICROGLIDE TM coating used by the present assignee, Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. on many of its commercially available guidewires.
  • the tapered portion of the distal core segment is preferably followed distally with a manually shapable flattened core segment or shaping ribbon of about 1 to 4 cm in length which preferably has essentially constant transverse dimensions, e.g.
  • a helical coil having transverse outer dimensions about the same as or slightly less than the proximal core section is secured by its distal end to the flattened distal tip of the core member, e.g. by means of solder, and by its proximal end at an intermediate position on the tapered distal core segment so that the distal end of the tapered core segment resides within the interior of the coil.
  • the helical coil 14 may be formed all or in part of stainless steel, a suitable radiopaque material such as platinum or alloys thereof or other material such as stainless steel coated with a radiopaque material such as gold.
  • the wire from which the coil is made generally has a transverse diameter of about 0.001 5 to about 0.003 inch (0.04-0.08 mm) for coronary applications and up to 0.07 inch (0.1 8 mm) for peripheral applications.
  • the overall length of the coil 1 4 is about 2 to about 1 5 cm, preferably about 2 about 6 cm. Multiple turns of the coil 14 may be expanded to provide additional flexibility.

Abstract

A guidewire (10) for advancing a medical device such as a catheter through a patient's body lumen which has an elongated core (11) with proximal (12) and distal core (13) sections, a flexible tubular member such as a coil (14) on the distal end and an intermediate portion, preferably formed at least in part by a polymeric sheath (15) proximal to the coil having contact regions (17) and recessed non-contact regions (18).

Description

GUIDEWIRE WITH SHAPED INTERMEDIATE PORTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of guidewires for advancing intravascular devices such as stent delivery catheters, balloon dilatation catheters and atherectomy catheters within a body lumen
Conventional guidewires for angioplasty, stent delivery, atherectomy and other vascular procedures usually comprise an elongated core member with one or more tapered sections near the distal end thereof and a flexible body such as a helical coil or a tubular body of polymeric material disposed about the distal portion of the core member. A shapable member, which may be the distal extremity of the core member or a separate shaping ribbon which is secured to the distal extremity of the core member extends through the flexible body and is secured to the distal end of the flexible body by soldering, brazing or welding which forms a rounded distal tip. Torquing means are provided on the proximal end of the core member to rotate, and thereby steer, the guidewire while it is being advanced through a patient's vascular system.
Further details of guidewires, and devices associated therewith for various interventional procedures can be found in U.S. Patent 4,748,986 (Morrison et al.); U.S. Patent 4,538,622 (Samson et al.): U.S. Patent 5, 1 35,503 (Abrams); U.S. Patent 5,341 ,81 8 (Abrams et al.); and U.S. Patent 5,345,945 (Hodgson, et al.) which are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety by reference thereto.
In a typical coronary procedure using a guidewire, a guiding catheter having a preformed distal tip is percutaneously introduced into a patient's peripheral artery, e.g. femoral or brachial artery, by means of a conventional Seldinger technique and advanced and steered therein until the distal tip of the guiding catheter is seated in the ostium of a desired coronary artery.
There are two basic techniques for advancing a guidewire into the desired location within the patient's coronary anatomy through the in place guiding catheter. The first is a preload technique which is used primarily for over-the- wire (OTW) devices and the second is the bare wire technique which is used primarily for rail type systems. With the preload technique, a guidewire is positioned within an inner lumen of an OTW device such as a dilatation catheter or stent delivery catheter with the distal tip of the guidewire just proximal to the distal tip of the catheter and then both are advanced through the guiding catheter to the distal end thereof. The guidewire is first advanced out of the distal end of the guiding catheter into the patient's coronary vasculature until the distal end of the guidewire crosses the arterial location where the interventional procedure is to be performed, e.g. a lesion to be dilated or a dilated region where a stent is to be deployed. The catheter, which is slidably mounted onto the guidewire, is advanced out of the guiding catheter into the patient's coronary anatomy over the previously introduced guidewire until the operative portion of the intravascular device, e.g. the balloon of a dilatation or a stent delivery catheter, is properly positioned across the arterial location. Once the catheter is in position with the operative means located within the desired arterial location, the interventional procedure is performed. The catheter can then be removed from the patient over the guidewire. Usually, the guidewire is left in place for a period of time after the procedure is completed to ensure reaccess to the arterial location is it is necessary. For example, in the event of arterial blockage due to dissected lining collapse, a rapid exchange type perfusion balloon catheter such as described and claimed in U.S. Patent 5, 51 6,336 (Mclnnes et al), can be advanced over the in-place guidewire so that the balloon can be inflated to open up the arterial passageway and allow blood to perfuse through the distal section of the catheter to a distal location until the dissection is reattached to the arterial wall by natural healing. With the bare wire technique, the guidewire is first advanced by itself through the guiding catheter until the distal tip of the guidewire extends beyond the arterial location where the procedure is to be performed. Then a rail type catheter, such as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,061 ,395 (Yock) and the previously discussed Mclnnes et al. which are incorporated herein by reference, is mounted onto the proximal portion of the guidewire which extends out of the proximal end of the guiding catheter which is outside of the patient. The catheter is advanced over the catheter, while the position of the guidewire is fixed, until the operative means on the rail type catheter is disposed within the arterial location where the procedure is to be performed. After the procedure the intravascular device may be withdrawn from the patient over the guidewire or the guidewire advanced further within the coronary anatomy for an additional procedure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an improved guidewire having a flexible distal section which facilitates advancement through a patient's body lumen.
The guidewire of the present invention has an elongated core member with proximal and distal core sections with a flexible tubular member such as a helical coil is disposed about and secured to the distal part of the distal core section. The distal core section has one or more distally tapering segments. Proximal to the flexible tubular member, the guidewire has an exterior surface which is shaped to provide a plurality of contact regions and non-contact regions between adjacent contact regions.
In one presently preferred embodiment, the intermediate portion is defined by a sheath disposed about the core member and preferably formed of a polymeric material. The contact region or regions of the intermediate portion of the guidewire is generally about 20 to about 60% of the surface of the sheath. The outer diameter of the contact regions of the intermediate portion is preferably the same or approximately the same as the outer diameter of the flexible tubular member or coil on the distal part of the distal shaft section. However, if the flexible tubular member is of different outer diameter than the proximal core section, the intermediate portion may taper from the outer diameter of the proximal core section to the outer diameter of the coil. The distances between the peaks of the contact regions should be about 0.05 to about 5.0 mm, preferably about 0.1 to about 0.5 mm. The depth of the recessed non-contact regions may be about 0.01 to about 0.1 mm, preferably about 0.025 to about 0.075 mm as measured from the peaks of the contact regions. While the presently preferred intermediate portion of the guidewire having the contact and non-contact regions extends distally from the flexible tubular member and terminates distal to the proximal core section, the section having the contact and non-contact regions can extend proximally over most or all of the proximal core section. By reducing the area of surface contact between the guidewire and a body lumen or a catheter lumen in which the guidewire is being moved relative thereto, the resistance to movement is greatly reduced. In one embodiment of the invention, solid or liquid lubricant can be maintained within recessed non- contact regions to further reduce frictional drag on the guidewire as it moves through a lumen or the frictional drag on a catheter as the catheter is moved over the intermediate portion of the guidewire. Pharmaceutical materials and diagnostic and therapeutic agents may also be incorporated into the recessed non-contact regions.
In one presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the intermediate guidewire portion having the contact and non-contact regions is defined by an intermediate sheath disposed about at least part of the distal guidewire section proximal to the flexible tubular member or coil on the distal part of the distal section.
These and other advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying exemplary drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is an elevational view partially in section of a guidewire embodying features of the invention wherein a sheath forming the intermediate portion has a helically shaped ridge.
Fig. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the guidewire shown in Fig. 1 taken along the lines 2-2.
Fig. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the guidewire shown in Fig. 1 taken along the lines 3-3. Fig. 4 is an elevational view partially in section of an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein a sheath on the intermediate portion has an undulating exterior surface.
Fig. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 taken along the lines 5-5.
Fig. 6 is an elevational view partially in section of an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the intermediate section has a closed figure design formed into the exterior surface thereof.
Fig. 7 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 taken along the lines 7-7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Figs 1 -3 depict a guidewire 10 embodying features of the invention which has an elongated core member 1 1 with a proximal core section 1 2, a distal core section 1 3 and a helical coil 1 4 on the distal extremity of the distal core section. An intermediate portion of the guidewire 10 proximal to the helical coil 14 is provided with a sheath 1 5, which is disposed about and secured to the distal core section 1 3, has an exterior surface 1 6 with contact regions 1 7 in the form of a helical ridge and a plurality of recessed (with respect to the contact regions) non-contact regions 1 8 disposed between adjacent contact regions. The peak-to- peak distance between the adjacent contact regions 1 7 is about 0.05 to about 5 mm, preferably about 0.1 to about 0.5 mm.
The distal end of coil 1 4 is secured to the distal tip of the distal core section 1 3 by suitable means, such as solder, a weldment, an adhesive, a body of polymeric material and the like which forms the rounded tip 20. The proximal end of the coil 1 4 is secured to the distal core section by solder 21 . The proximal core section 1 2 has a polymeric jacket 22 which is preferably formed of lubricious polymeric materials such as fluoropolymers or hydrophilic materials. Other lubricious materials may be utilized. An alternative embodiment of the invention is depicted in Figs. 4 and 5 wherein the guidewire 30 has an intermediate portion proximal to the helical coil 31 covered with a sheath 32 which has an undulating exterior surface 33 with contact regions 34 in the form of a plurality of circular ridges and a plurality of recessed non-contact regions 35 between adjacent contact regions. The peak- to-peak distances between the contact surfaces 34 of this embodiment are the same or approximately the same as that for the contact regions 1 7 of the previously described embodiment.
Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate yet another alternative embodiment of the invention in which the guidewire 40 has an intermediate portion with a sheath 41 with a closed figure texture formed in the exterior surface 42 with contact regions 43 and recessed non-contact regions 44 for essentially the same purpose as the contact and non-contact regions of the previously discussed embodiments. The recessed non-contact regions may contain liquid or solid lubricant such as a fluoropolymer, a silicone coating such as MICROGLIDE™, or HYDROCOAT™. These recesses may also be employed as reservoirs for pharmaceutical materials, therapeutic agents or diagnostic agents. The sheaths forming the intermediate portions of the guidewires of the present invention may be formed by first heat shrinking a thermoplastic polymeric material onto the distal core section proximal to the coil and then placing a clam-shell mold of the desired configuration about the heat shrunk material at elevated temperatures to shape the exterior of the intermediate sheath in the desired configuration. Other means may also be employed. For example, the exterior surface of a tubular polymeric member may first be formed into the desired shape and then the tubular member heat shrunk onto the distal core section. Other means including casting polymeric material about the distal core section into the desired shape. Machining polymeric material from the exterior of a tubular polymeric member on the distal core segment may also be employed to develop the contact and non-contact regions of the intermediate sheath. Suitable polymeric materials for the intermediate sheath include polyethylene, polyetheretherketone, polyvinyl chloride and polyurethane. A wide variety of other polymeric materials are contemplated. The sheathed intermediate portion of the guidewire is about 4 to about 38 cm in length, preferably about 6 to about 20 cm in length. The guidewires of the invention may have typical guidewire dimensions. Guidewire length may generally be about 90 to about 300 cm, and for use within a patient's coronary anatomy commercially available guidewires are typically about 1 75 cm in length. Recently, however, longer guidewires, e.g. up to 1 90 cm in length, are being offered commercially by a variety of suppliers, including the present assignee. The proximal core section 1 2 may have a length of about 65 to about 280 cm, preferably about 1 50 to about 200 cm and a diameter generally about 0.008 to about 0.035 inch (0.20-0.89 mm), typically about 0.010 to about 0.020 inch (0.25-0.51 mm) for coronary artery uses. The distal core section is preferably much shorter than the proximal core section and generally is about 6 to about 40 cm, preferably about 8 to about 30 cm in length and tapers in the distal direction in one or more steps to smaller transverse dimensions.
The core member is preferably coated with a lubricous coating such as a fluoropolymer, e.g. TEFLON ® available from DuPont, which extends the length of the proximal core section 1 2. The distal section 1 3 is also provided a lubricous coating, not shown for purposes of clarity, such as a MICROGLIDE ™ coating used by the present assignee, Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. on many of its commercially available guidewires. The tapered portion of the distal core segment is preferably followed distally with a manually shapable flattened core segment or shaping ribbon of about 1 to 4 cm in length which preferably has essentially constant transverse dimensions, e.g. 0.0005-0.002 inch (0.01 3-0.051 mm) by 0.002-0.006 inch (0.051 -0.1 52 mm), typically about 0.001 by 0.003 inch (0.025-0.076 mm). A helical coil having transverse outer dimensions about the same as or slightly less than the proximal core section is secured by its distal end to the flattened distal tip of the core member, e.g. by means of solder, and by its proximal end at an intermediate position on the tapered distal core segment so that the distal end of the tapered core segment resides within the interior of the coil. The helical coil 14 may be formed all or in part of stainless steel, a suitable radiopaque material such as platinum or alloys thereof or other material such as stainless steel coated with a radiopaque material such as gold. The wire from which the coil is made generally has a transverse diameter of about 0.001 5 to about 0.003 inch (0.04-0.08 mm) for coronary applications and up to 0.07 inch (0.1 8 mm) for peripheral applications. The overall length of the coil 1 4 is about 2 to about 1 5 cm, preferably about 2 about 6 cm. Multiple turns of the coil 14 may be expanded to provide additional flexibility.
Unless otherwise described herein, conventional materials and manufacturing methods may be used to make the guiding members of the present invention. Additionally, various modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope thereof. Although individual features of embodiments of the invention may be shown in some of the drawings and not in others, those skilled in the art will recognize that individual features of one embodiment of the invention can be combined with any or all the features of another embodiment.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A guidewire for intralumenal advancement of a medical device within a patient, comprising: a) an elongated core member which has a proximal core section and a distal core section; b) a flexible body which is disposed about and secured to a portion of the distal core section; and c) an intermediate portion which is disposed at a location proximal to the flexible body and which has an exterior with a plurality of contact regions and recessed non-contact regions disposed between contact regions.
2. The guidewire of claim 1 wherein the contact regions form a helical ridge on the intermediate portion which encircles the core member at least one time.
3. The guidewire of claim 1 wherein the contact regions form a plurality of circular ridges on the intermediate portion which are disposed about the core member.
4. The guidewire of claim 1 wherein the intermediate portion has a closed figure texture formed in the exterior with the contact regions surrounding non- contact regions.
5. The guidewire of claim 1 wherein recessed non-contact regions are configured to hold a component selected from the group consisting of a lubricant, a therapeutic agent and a diagnostic agent .
6. The guidewire of claim 1 wherein the intermediate portion having contact and non-contact regions is defined by a sheath.
7. The guidewire of claim 6 wherein the sheath is formed of a polymeric material.
8. The guidewire of claim 7 wherein the polymeric material is a heat shrunk thermoplastic.
9. The guidewire of claim 6 wherein the contact regions comprise about 20 to about 60% of the surface of the intermediate sheath.
10. The guidewire of claim 1 wherein the contact regions are spaced about
0.05 to about 5 mm.
11. The guidewire of claim 1 wherein the contact regions are spaced about 0.1 to about 0.5 mm.
12. The guidewire of claim 1 wherein the recessed non-contact regions have depths of about 0.01 to about 0.1 mm.
13. The guidewire of claim 1 wherein the recessed non-contact regions have depths of about 0.025 to about 0.075 mm.
14. The guidewire of claim 1 wherein the intermediate sheath has a proximal portion with an outer diameter approximately the same as the outer diameter of the proximal core section.
15. The guidewire of claim 1 wherein the intermediate sheath has a distal portion with an outer diameter approximately the same as the outer diameter of the flexible tubular member.
16. The guidewire of claim 1 wherein the intermediate sheath is about 4 to about 38 cm in length.
17. The guidewire of claim 1 wherein the intermediate sheath is about 6 to about 20 cm in length.
PCT/US1998/024758 1997-11-18 1998-11-18 Guidewire with shaped intermediate portion WO1999025413A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU15934/99A AU1593499A (en) 1997-11-18 1998-11-18 Guidewire with shaped intermediate portion

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/972,654 US6106485A (en) 1997-11-18 1997-11-18 Guidewire with shaped intermediate portion
US08/972,654 1997-11-18

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999025413A1 true WO1999025413A1 (en) 1999-05-27

Family

ID=25519958

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1998/024758 WO1999025413A1 (en) 1997-11-18 1998-11-18 Guidewire with shaped intermediate portion

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (2) US6106485A (en)
AU (1) AU1593499A (en)
WO (1) WO1999025413A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8613712B1 (en) * 2003-09-16 2013-12-24 Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc. Textured polymer coated guide wire and method of manufacture

Families Citing this family (86)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030069522A1 (en) 1995-12-07 2003-04-10 Jacobsen Stephen J. Slotted medical device
US5779721A (en) 1996-07-26 1998-07-14 Kensey Nash Corporation System and method of use for revascularizing stenotic bypass grafts and other blood vessels
US6905505B2 (en) * 1996-07-26 2005-06-14 Kensey Nash Corporation System and method of use for agent delivery and revascularizing of grafts and vessels
US6830577B2 (en) * 1996-07-26 2004-12-14 Kensey Nash Corporation System and method of use for treating occluded vessels and diseased tissue
US6080170A (en) * 1996-07-26 2000-06-27 Kensey Nash Corporation System and method of use for revascularizing stenotic bypass grafts and other occluded blood vessels
US6652546B1 (en) * 1996-07-26 2003-11-25 Kensey Nash Corporation System and method of use for revascularizing stenotic bypass grafts and other occluded blood vessels
US6379334B1 (en) 1997-02-10 2002-04-30 Essex Technology, Inc. Rotate advance catheterization system
US6589213B2 (en) * 1997-12-12 2003-07-08 Wilson-Cook Medical Incorporated Body canal intrusion instrumentation having bi-directional coefficient of surface friction with body tissue
US6306105B1 (en) 1998-05-14 2001-10-23 Scimed Life Systems, Inc. High performance coil wire
US7645242B1 (en) * 1998-12-31 2010-01-12 Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. Composite guidewire with drawn and filled tube construction
US7717864B1 (en) 1998-12-31 2010-05-18 Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. Composite guidewire with drawn and filled tube construction
US6464650B2 (en) * 1998-12-31 2002-10-15 Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. Guidewire with smoothly tapered segment
US7361158B1 (en) * 1999-09-24 2008-04-22 Medicinvent, Llc Catheter including textured interface
AU7720100A (en) 1999-09-27 2001-04-30 Essex Technology, Inc. Rotate-to-advance catheterization system
US6524301B1 (en) 2000-12-21 2003-02-25 Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. Guidewire with an intermediate variable stiffness section
NL1018881C2 (en) * 2001-05-08 2002-11-25 Blue Medical Devices B V Balloon catheter for dilating vessels and lumina comprise inflatable balloon with ends attached to it's catheter tube
NL1018018C2 (en) * 2001-05-08 2002-11-19 Blue Medical Devices B V Balloon catheter and method for manufacturing thereof.
ATE347393T1 (en) 2001-07-05 2006-12-15 Precision Vascular Systems Inc MEDICAL DEVICE HAVING A TORQUE-TRANSMITTING SOFT END PIECE AND METHOD FOR SHAPING IT
US6908448B2 (en) * 2001-08-24 2005-06-21 Dermisonics, Inc. Substance delivery device
US20040005709A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2004-01-08 Hoogenboom Henricus Renerus Jacobus Mattheus Hybridization control of sequence variation
JP3762290B2 (en) * 2001-12-03 2006-04-05 朝日インテック株式会社 Medical guidewire
US7914467B2 (en) 2002-07-25 2011-03-29 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Tubular member having tapered transition for use in a medical device
JP4602080B2 (en) 2002-07-25 2010-12-22 ボストン サイエンティフィック リミテッド Medical devices that travel through the human body structure
JP3822549B2 (en) * 2002-09-26 2006-09-20 富士通株式会社 Wiring board
US7141024B2 (en) * 2002-11-06 2006-11-28 Benny Gaber Maneuverable-coiled guidewire
US8113916B2 (en) * 2003-01-17 2012-02-14 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Straightening and centerless grinding of wire for use with medical devices
US8377035B2 (en) 2003-01-17 2013-02-19 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Unbalanced reinforcement members for medical device
US7044921B2 (en) * 2003-02-03 2006-05-16 Scimed Life Systems, Inc Medical device with changeable tip flexibility
US20040167439A1 (en) * 2003-02-26 2004-08-26 Sharrow James S. Guidewire having textured proximal portion
US7169118B2 (en) 2003-02-26 2007-01-30 Scimed Life Systems, Inc. Elongate medical device with distal cap
US7001369B2 (en) 2003-03-27 2006-02-21 Scimed Life Systems, Inc. Medical device
US7591832B2 (en) * 2003-04-24 2009-09-22 Medtronic, Inc. Expandable guide sheath and apparatus with distal protection and methods for use
US20040230136A1 (en) * 2003-05-14 2004-11-18 Corrigan Richard F. Guidewire having axially extending flow through passageways
US7833175B2 (en) 2003-09-05 2010-11-16 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Medical device coil
US7540845B2 (en) * 2003-09-05 2009-06-02 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc Medical device coil
JP4691640B2 (en) * 2003-10-03 2011-06-01 メドトロニック，インコーポレイテッド Inflatable sheath and device and method of manufacturing the same
US7553287B2 (en) * 2003-10-30 2009-06-30 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Guidewire having an embedded matrix polymer
US20050096665A1 (en) * 2003-10-30 2005-05-05 Scimed Life Systems, Inc. Guidewire having a helically contoured portion
US7824345B2 (en) 2003-12-22 2010-11-02 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Medical device with push force limiter
US20060047224A1 (en) * 2004-09-01 2006-03-02 Ryan Grandfield Polymer coated guide wire
US7993350B2 (en) 2004-10-04 2011-08-09 Medtronic, Inc. Shapeable or steerable guide sheaths and methods for making and using them
US7819887B2 (en) 2004-11-17 2010-10-26 Rex Medical, L.P. Rotational thrombectomy wire
US7632242B2 (en) 2004-12-09 2009-12-15 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Catheter including a compliant balloon
WO2006093976A1 (en) 2005-02-28 2006-09-08 Spirus Medical Inc. Rotate-to-advance catheterization system
JP4991694B2 (en) * 2005-03-18 2012-08-01 クック メディカル テクノロジーズ エルエルシー Wire guide with novel outer surface area and reservoir for enhancing hydrophilicity and delivering therapeutic agents
US8317678B2 (en) 2005-05-04 2012-11-27 Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. Rotate-to-advance catheterization system
US7780650B2 (en) 2005-05-04 2010-08-24 Spirus Medical, Inc. Rotate-to-advance catheterization system
US8343040B2 (en) 2005-05-04 2013-01-01 Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. Rotate-to-advance catheterization system
US8414477B2 (en) 2005-05-04 2013-04-09 Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. Rotate-to-advance catheterization system
US8235942B2 (en) 2005-05-04 2012-08-07 Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. Rotate-to-advance catheterization system
US20060264904A1 (en) * 2005-05-09 2006-11-23 Kerby Walter L Medical device
EP1937347A1 (en) * 2005-09-15 2008-07-02 Wilson-Cook Medical Inc. Multiple stage wire guide
US9445784B2 (en) 2005-09-22 2016-09-20 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc Intravascular ultrasound catheter
US7850623B2 (en) 2005-10-27 2010-12-14 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Elongate medical device with continuous reinforcement member
US8435229B2 (en) 2006-02-28 2013-05-07 Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. Rotate-to-advance catheterization system
US8574220B2 (en) 2006-02-28 2013-11-05 Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. Rotate-to-advance catheterization system
US7651578B2 (en) * 2006-06-08 2010-01-26 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Guidewire with polymer jacket and method of making
JP2010503484A (en) 2006-09-13 2010-02-04 ボストン サイエンティフィック リミテッド Transverse guide wire
US8556914B2 (en) 2006-12-15 2013-10-15 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Medical device including structure for crossing an occlusion in a vessel
US8870755B2 (en) 2007-05-18 2014-10-28 Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. Rotate-to-advance catheterization system
US8409114B2 (en) 2007-08-02 2013-04-02 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Composite elongate medical device including distal tubular member
US8105246B2 (en) 2007-08-03 2012-01-31 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Elongate medical device having enhanced torque and methods thereof
US8821477B2 (en) 2007-08-06 2014-09-02 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Alternative micromachined structures
US9808595B2 (en) 2007-08-07 2017-11-07 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc Microfabricated catheter with improved bonding structure
US7841994B2 (en) 2007-11-02 2010-11-30 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Medical device for crossing an occlusion in a vessel
US8337425B2 (en) 2008-02-05 2012-12-25 Bridgepoint Medical, Inc. Endovascular device with a tissue piercing distal probe and associated methods
WO2009100129A2 (en) 2008-02-05 2009-08-13 Chad John Kugler Crossing occlusions in blood vessels
US8376961B2 (en) 2008-04-07 2013-02-19 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Micromachined composite guidewire structure with anisotropic bending properties
US8002715B2 (en) 2008-05-30 2011-08-23 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Medical device including a polymer sleeve and a coil wound into the polymer sleeve
JP5147569B2 (en) * 2008-06-30 2013-02-20 テルモ株式会社 Guide wire
US8535243B2 (en) 2008-09-10 2013-09-17 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Medical devices and tapered tubular members for use in medical devices
US8795254B2 (en) 2008-12-10 2014-08-05 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Medical devices with a slotted tubular member having improved stress distribution
US20110071423A1 (en) * 2009-09-21 2011-03-24 Speeg Trevor W V Flexible biopsy marker delivery device
US8137293B2 (en) 2009-11-17 2012-03-20 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Guidewires including a porous nickel-titanium alloy
EP2552530A1 (en) 2010-03-31 2013-02-06 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Guidewire with a flexural rigidity profile
US9795406B2 (en) 2010-05-13 2017-10-24 Rex Medical, L.P. Rotational thrombectomy wire
US8663259B2 (en) 2010-05-13 2014-03-04 Rex Medical L.P. Rotational thrombectomy wire
US9023070B2 (en) 2010-05-13 2015-05-05 Rex Medical, L.P. Rotational thrombectomy wire coupler
US8764779B2 (en) 2010-05-13 2014-07-01 Rex Medical, L.P. Rotational thrombectomy wire
WO2012106628A1 (en) 2011-02-04 2012-08-09 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Guidewires and methods for making and using the same
US9072874B2 (en) 2011-05-13 2015-07-07 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Medical devices with a heat transfer region and a heat sink region and methods for manufacturing medical devices
DK2719936T3 (en) * 2011-06-13 2016-09-26 Nissei Electric Co Ltd Resin pipe for guiding thread, process for preparing the resin pipe to the guidewire and guidewire
US9901706B2 (en) 2014-04-11 2018-02-27 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Catheters and catheter shafts
US11351048B2 (en) 2015-11-16 2022-06-07 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Stent delivery systems with a reinforced deployment sheath
US10953204B2 (en) * 2017-01-09 2021-03-23 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Guidewire with tactile feel
US20210330943A1 (en) * 2020-04-28 2021-10-28 Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc. Coil reinforced superelastic guidewire

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1989010088A1 (en) * 1988-04-18 1989-11-02 Target Therapeutics Catheter guide wire
EP0377453A1 (en) * 1989-01-04 1990-07-11 Susan Baker Guiding wire
US5095915A (en) * 1990-03-19 1992-03-17 Target Therapeutics Guidewire with flexible distal tip
WO1992014508A1 (en) * 1991-02-15 1992-09-03 Mallinckrodt Medical, Inc. Torsionally stable guidewire
US5345945A (en) * 1990-08-29 1994-09-13 Baxter International Inc. Dual coil guidewire with radiopaque distal tip
US5497785A (en) * 1994-07-27 1996-03-12 Cordis Corporation Catheter advancing guidewire and method for making same
US5606979A (en) * 1993-05-28 1997-03-04 The Microspring Company Inc. Guide wire

Family Cites Families (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3731671A (en) * 1971-10-21 1973-05-08 Cordis Corp Low-friction catheter guide
GB1429691A (en) * 1972-07-29 1976-03-24 Furukawa Electric Co Ltd Method and apparatus for forming a covering on an elongate core member
US4003369A (en) * 1975-04-22 1977-01-18 Medrad, Inc. Angiographic guidewire with safety core wire
US4534363A (en) * 1982-04-29 1985-08-13 Cordis Corporation Coating for angiographic guidewire
US4538622A (en) * 1983-11-10 1985-09-03 Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. Guide wire for catheters
DE3533452A1 (en) * 1985-09-19 1987-03-26 Messerschmitt Boelkow Blohm GUIDE PROBE
US4748986A (en) * 1985-11-26 1988-06-07 Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. Floppy guide wire with opaque tip
US4724846A (en) * 1986-01-10 1988-02-16 Medrad, Inc. Catheter guide wire assembly
US5061273A (en) * 1989-06-01 1991-10-29 Yock Paul G Angioplasty apparatus facilitating rapid exchanges
US4840623A (en) * 1988-02-01 1989-06-20 Fbk International Corporation Medical catheter with splined internal wall
US5516336A (en) * 1990-02-07 1996-05-14 Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. Readily exchangeable perfusion dilatation catheter
US5135503A (en) * 1990-05-16 1992-08-04 Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. Shaping ribbon for guiding members
US5147317A (en) * 1990-06-04 1992-09-15 C.R. Bard, Inc. Low friction varied radiopacity guidewire
US5341818A (en) * 1992-12-22 1994-08-30 Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. Guidewire with superelastic distal portion
ES2157226T3 (en) * 1993-01-28 2001-08-16 Angiomed Ag GUIDE PIECE OF A PIECE AND PROCEDURE FOR MANUFACTURING.
US5358493A (en) * 1993-02-18 1994-10-25 Scimed Life Systems, Inc. Vascular access catheter and methods for manufacture thereof
AU7115294A (en) * 1993-06-24 1995-01-24 Conceptus, Inc. Guidewire-type device axially moveable by torque or axial force and methods for use thereof
US5404887A (en) * 1993-11-04 1995-04-11 Scimed Life Systems, Inc. Guide wire having an unsmooth exterior surface
US5827201A (en) * 1996-07-26 1998-10-27 Target Therapeutics, Inc. Micro-braided guidewire

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1989010088A1 (en) * 1988-04-18 1989-11-02 Target Therapeutics Catheter guide wire
EP0377453A1 (en) * 1989-01-04 1990-07-11 Susan Baker Guiding wire
US5095915A (en) * 1990-03-19 1992-03-17 Target Therapeutics Guidewire with flexible distal tip
US5345945A (en) * 1990-08-29 1994-09-13 Baxter International Inc. Dual coil guidewire with radiopaque distal tip
WO1992014508A1 (en) * 1991-02-15 1992-09-03 Mallinckrodt Medical, Inc. Torsionally stable guidewire
US5606979A (en) * 1993-05-28 1997-03-04 The Microspring Company Inc. Guide wire
US5497785A (en) * 1994-07-27 1996-03-12 Cordis Corporation Catheter advancing guidewire and method for making same

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8613712B1 (en) * 2003-09-16 2013-12-24 Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc. Textured polymer coated guide wire and method of manufacture

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU1593499A (en) 1999-06-07
US6296616B1 (en) 2001-10-02
US6106485A (en) 2000-08-22

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6296616B1 (en) Guidewire with shaped intermediate portion
US6652472B2 (en) Guidewire with smoothly tapered segment
US8708933B2 (en) Guidewire having linear change in stiffness
US6402706B2 (en) Guide wire with multiple polymer jackets over distal and intermediate core sections
CA2251685C (en) Guide wire with hydrophilically coated tip
US6656134B2 (en) Guide wire with hydrophilically coated tip
EP1135185B1 (en) Guidewire having linear change in stiffness
US6132389A (en) Proximally tapered guidewire tip coil
US6241690B1 (en) Guidewire having exchangeable inner member
JP3998918B2 (en) Guide wire
JPH0728562U (en) Guide wire
WO2001045786A1 (en) Composite guidewire including an axially movable core member
US20240009430A1 (en) Guidewire core having non-round cross-sections
EP1523366B1 (en) Guidewire with tapered flexible core segment
JP2006175241A (en) Guide wire
CA2617284C (en) Guidewire having linear change in stiffness

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CU CZ DE DK EE ES FI GB GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT UA UG UZ VN YU ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW SD SZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: CA

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase