Articulating guidewire for embolic protection and methods of use

Abstract

An intravascular guidewire having an articulating distal section for improved maneuverability beyond a lesion or other protrusion within a body lumen. An elongated core wire having an actuatable stop disposed thereon is adapted to have a reduced profile in a first position, and an enlarged profile in a second position. The actuatable stop can be adapted to expand by any number of means, including a spring coil, a polymeric tube or a mesh sleeve. In one particular embodiment, the actuatable stop comprises a distal section of a tubular member having a plurality of circumferentially disposed openings adapted to permit a plurality of struts disposed therebetween to expand in an outward direction when compressed axially.

1 . An articulating guidewire, comprising: 
 an elongated core wire having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end;    an actuatable stop comprising a polymeric tube disposed at the distal end of said core wire, said actuatable stop moveable between a collapsed position and an expanded position;    an actuator coupled to the stop, said actuator moveable between a first position and a second position to move the stop between the collapsed position and the expanded position; and    a filter disposed on the core wire.    
   
   
       2 . The guidewire of  claim 1 , wherein said polymeric tube is accordion-shaped.  
   
   
       3 . The guidewire of  claim 1 , wherein the distal section of said tubular member includes a plurality of circumferentially disposed openings adapted to permit a plurality of struts disposed therebetween to expand in an outward direction.  
   
   
       4 . The guidewire of  claim 1 , wherein the inner diameter of said tubular member is substantially similar to the outer diameter of the core wire.  
   
   
       5 . The guidewire of  claim 1 , wherein the inner diameter of said tubular member is larger than the outer diameter of the core wire.  
   
   
       6 . The guidewire of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism adapted to prevent relative motion between the actuatable stop and the core wire.  
   
   
       7 . The guidewire of  claim 6 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises an enlarged outer diameter portion disposed on the core wire.  
   
   
       8 . The guidewire of  claim 6 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises an enlarged outer diameter portion disposed on the core wire corresponding in size and shape to a reduced inner diameter portion disposed on the actuatable stop.  
   
   
       9 . The guidewire of  claim 6 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a locking hub disposed about a proximal portion of the core wire.  
   
   
       10 . An articulating guidewire, comprising: 
 an elongated core wire having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end;    an actuatable stop comprising a spring coil disposed at the distal end of said core wire, said actuatable stop moveable between a collapsed position and an expanded position;    an actuator disposable about the core wire, said actuator having a proximal end and a distal end; and    a filter disposed on the core wire.    
   
   
       11 . The guidewire of  claim 10 , wherein the spring coil is helically disposed about the core wire.  
   
   
       12 . The guidewire of  claim 10 , wherein the inner diameter of the actuator is substantially similar to the outer diameter of the core wire.  
   
   
       13 . The guidewire of  claim 10 , wherein the inner diameter of the actuator is larger than the outer diameter of the core wire.  
   
   
       14 . The guidewire of  claim 10 , further comprising a locking mechanism adapted to prevent proximal motion of the actuator relative to the core wire.  
   
   
       15 . The guidewire of  claim 14 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises an enlarged outer diameter portion disposed on the core wire.  
   
   
       16 . The guidewire of  claim 14 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises an enlarged outer diameter portion disposed on the core wire corresponding in size and shape to a reduced inner diameter portion disposed on the actuator.  
   
   
       17 . The guidewire of  claim 14 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a locking hub disposed about a proximal portion of the core wire.