Ceramic reinforcement member for MRI devices

Abstract

The present invention relates to a reinforced magnetic resonance imaging catheter. The catheter comprises a medical device having at least one lumen extending therethrough. The elongated body also includes a proximal end, a distal end, and circumference, a longitudinal axis running between the proximal and distal ends, and a coaxial layer that incorporates at least one elongated ceramic member that is substantially covered with a coating. An antenna is operably disposed proximate the distal end the medical device.

1 - 27 . (canceled)  
   
   
       28 . An intravascular guidewire for use in magnetic resonance imaging, comprising: 
 a portion comprised of ceramic fibers; and    a coating on an exterior surface of the portion comprised of ceramic fibers, the coating comprised of a polymeric materials.    
   
   
       29 . The intravascular guidewire of  claim 28 , where the ceramic fibers are woven together.  
   
   
       30 . The intravascular guidewire of  claim 28 , where the ceramic fibers are braided together.  
   
   
       31 . The intravascular guidewire of  claim 28 , further comprising: 
 a central wire portion axially engaged with the portion comprised of ceramic fibers.    
   
   
       32 . The intravascular guidewire of  claim 28 , further comprising: 
 an antenna.    
   
   
       33 . The intravascular guidewire of  claim 32 , where the guidewire includes a proximate and a distal end, and the antenna is operably disposed proximate the distal end of the guidewire.  
   
   
       34 . The intravascular guidewire of  claim 28 , where the guidewire is of an overall flexibility that the guidewire can be bent without breaking.  
   
   
       35 . The intravascular guidewire of  claim 28 , where the portion comprised of ceramic fibers is further comprised of non-ceramic fibers woven together with the ceramic fibers.  
   
   
       36 . The intravascular guidewire of  claim 28 , where the portion comprised of ceramic fibers is further comprised of non-ceramic fibers braided together with the ceramic fibers.  
   
   
       37 . The intravascular guidewire of  claim 28 , where the portion comprised of ceramic fibers includes a plurality of surface scratches and where the coating fills the scratches and allows the ceramic fibers to be bent without breaking.  
   
   
       38 . The intravascular guidewire of  claim 28 , where the ceramic fibers are comprised of at least one of carbon, silicon carbide or aluminum oxide.  
   
   
       39 . An intravascular guidewire for use in magnetic resonance imaging, comprising: 
 a portion comprised of ceramic fibers; and    a coating on an exterior surface of the portion comprised of ceramic fibers, the coating comprised of a material including pyrolytic carbon.    
   
   
       40 . The intravascular guidewire of  claim 39 , where the ceramic fibers are woven or braided together.  
   
   
       41 . The intravascular guidewire of  claim 39 , further comprising: 
 a central wire portion axially engaged with the portion comprised of ceramic fibers.    
   
   
       42 . The intravascular guidewire of  claim 39 , further comprising: 
 an antenna.    
   
   
       43 . The intravascular guidewire of  claim 42 , where the guidewire includes a proximate and a distal end, and the antenna is operably disposed proximate the distal end of the guidewire.  
   
   
       44 . The intravascular guidewire of  claim 39 , where the guidewire is of an overall flexibility that the guidewire can be bent without breaking.  
   
   
       45 . The intravascular guidewire of  claim 39 , where the portion comprised of ceramic fibers is further comprised of non-ceramic fibers woven or braided together with the ceramic fibers.  
   
   
       46 . The intravascular guidewire of  claim 39 , where the portion comprised of ceramic fibers includes a plurality of surface scratches and where the coating fills the scratches and allows the ceramic fibers to be bent without breaking.  
   
   
       47 . The intravascular guidewire of  claim 39 , where the ceramic fibers are comprised of at least one of carbon, silicon carbide or aluminum oxide.