Guide wire containment/dispensing system

Abstract

This invention is directed to a circular, coiled wire containment/dispenser system that is designed to simplify production methods and reduce production costs, and, because it is ergonomically designed, is easier to use with respect to the user. The circular body is preferably made of a single circle of semitransparent plastic, which contains one or more spiral grooves closed by a matching, clip-on lid. There are preferably lateral and medial ramps or bumps on both sides of the spirals. These ramps deflect the wires toward the center of the spiral. Thus a large percentage of the surface of the wires are not touching the walls of the containment system and touch only the apexes of the medial and lateral ramps or bumps. By this method, friction is greatly reduced allowing efficient wire extraction and loading.

1 . A guide wire container comprising: 
 a body section; and    a spiral channel formed in the body section comprising a first wall and a second wall; and    a plurality of friction reducing indentations formed along the first and second wall to assist in guide wire extraction and loading by reducing friction between the guide wire and the body section.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of indentations comprise at least one of a bump and a ramp.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of indentations formed along the first wall contact the guide wire at a point forward of the point at which the plurality of indentations formed along the second wall contact the guide wire.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of indentations formed along the first and second wall comprise at least one of a bump and a ramp.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of indentations formed along the first wall comprise at least one bump and the plurality of indentations formed along the second wall comprise at least one ramp.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein multiple guide wires can be stored in the spiral channel.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a second body section, the second body section including a spiral channel with a first wall, a second wall, and a plurality of indentations formed along the first and second wall to assist in guide wire extraction and loading by reducing friction between the guide wire and the second body section.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a bridge section coupled to the body section, the bridge section comprising a ridge for securing the guide wire as it exits the container.  
   
   
       9 . A system for introducing a guide wire into a blood vessel comprising: 
 a guide wire container comprising a body section including a spiral channel with a first wall,    a second wall, and a plurality of friction reducing indentations formed along the first and second wall to assist in guide wire extraction and loading by reducing friction between the guide wire and the body section; and    a wire vise having a first and a second end, each end operable to releasably secure the guide wire exiting the container, the second end including a directing portion for guiding the guide wire into the blood vessel.