Guide wire structure for insertion into an internal space

Abstract

A method is described of inserting guide wires into a lumen, for example into the human gastrointestinal tract. A guide wire structure is employed which comprises at least two guide wires each having a leading end portion which terminates in a leading end, the guide wires being connected to one another by a junction at or adjacent their leading ends, the guide wires have a first position in which the leading end portions are substantially parallel to one another, a second position in which the leading end portions are curved, and a third position in which at least one of the leading end portions forms a loop. The guide wire structure is steered through the gastrointestinal tract by selectively advancing or retracting a single guide wire or advancing more than one guide wire simultaneously, according to the path which is required to be followed.

1 . A guide wire structure for insertion into an interior space defined by a wall, the guide wire structure comprising at least two guide wires each having a leading end portion which terminates in a leading end, the guide wires being connected to one another by a junction at or adjacent their leading ends, the guide wires have a first position in which the leading end portions are substantially parallel to one another, a second position in which the leading end portions are curved, and a third position in which at least one of the leading end portions forms a loop, wherein the said junction is covered with heat shrink tubing.  
     
     
         2 . A guide wire structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the said junction is formed by gluing.  
     
     
         3 . A guide wire structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the said junction is formed by welding.  
     
     
         4 . (canceled)  
     
     
         5 . A guide wire structure for insertion into an interior space defined by a wall, the guide wire structure comprising at least two guide wires each having a leading end portion which terminates in a leading end, the guide wires being connected to one another by a junction at or adjacent their leading ends, the guide wires have a first position in which the leading end portions are substantially parallel to one another, a second position in which the leading end portions are curved, and a third position in which at least one of the leading end portions forms a loop, wherein the said junction is formed by a metal band crimped over the guide wires.  
     
     
         6 . A guide wire structure according to  claim 5 , wherein the said metal band is enclosed by a cover formed of a softer material.  
     
     
         7 . A guide wire structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the number of guide wires is an even number n, and the structure is formed by folding n/2 longer guide wires, each having twice the length desired for the structure, sharply back.  
     
     
         8 . A guide wire structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the guide wires are provided with marking to enable a user to compare the lengths of individual guide wires which have been introduced.  
     
     
         9 . A guide wire structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the guide wires are each provided with electrically conductive coils, spaced along the lengths thereof and connectable to a source of electrical power, whereby each coil becomes, in use, an electromagnet.  
     
     
         10 . A guide wire structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the guide wires are received in a single catheter.  
     
     
         11 . A guide wire structure according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the guide wires is received in an individual catheter.  
     
     
         12 . A guide wire structure according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the catheters is provided at a leading end thereof with a cutter arranged to cut through the said junction.  
     
     
         13 . A guide wire structure according to  claim 12 , wherein a shield is disposed at the said catheter leading end, the said shield being movable between a shielding position in which it surrounds the said cutter, and a non-shielding position in which the said cutter is exposed for use.  
     
     
         14 . A guide wire structure according to  claim 11 , wherein the said individual catheter has a leading end portion which is curved.  
     
     
         15 . A guide wire structure according to  claim 1 , wherein there are precisely two guide wires connected to one another.  
     
     
         16 . A guide wire structure according to  claim 1 , wherein there are more than two wires connected to one another.  
     
     
         17 . A guide wire structure according to  claim 16 , comprising a first pair of guide wires connected at a first said junction and received in a first catheter, and a second pair of wires connected at a second said junction and received in a second catheter.  
     
     
         18 . A guide wire structure according to  claim 17 , wherein the first and second catheters are connected to one another in such a way as to permit longitudinal movement of each catheter relative to the other.  
     
     
         19 . A guide wire structure according to  claim 18 , further comprising an user-controllable handle for advancing and retracting each of the guide wires.  
     
     
         20 . A guide wire structure according to  claim 19 , wherein the handle comprises a guide wire storage device.  
     
     
         21 . A guide wire structure according to  claim 1 , adapted for use where the said interior space is defined within a human or animal body,  
     
     
         22 . A guide wire structure according to  claim 21 , adapted for use in the human gastrointestinal tract.  
     
     
         23 . (canceled)  
     
     
         24 . A method of inserting the guide wires structure of  claim 22  into the human gastrointestinal tract, comprising steering the guide wires through the tract by selectively advancing or retracting a single guide wire or advancing more than one guide wire simultaneously, according to the path which is required to be followed.  
     
     
         25 . A guide wire structure for insertion into an interior space defined by a wall, the guide wire structure comprising at least two guide wires each having a leading end portion which terminates in a leading end, the guide wires being connected to one another by a junction at or adjacent their leading ends, the guide wires have a first position in which the leading end portions are substantially parallel to one another, a second position in which the leading end portions are curved, and a third position in which at least one of the leading end portions forms a loop, wherein the said junction is formed by gluing or welding the two wires together adjacent the leading ends.