Neurological apparatus

Abstract

A guide element for insertion into the brain to guide implantable instruments, wherein the guide element comprises an elongate part, the elongate part having a composition of at least 80% tungsten carbide. The guide element may have a coating, such as a biocompatible plastics material which is more resilient than the elongate part.

1 . A guide element for insertion into a brain to guide implantable instruments, wherein the guide element comprises:
 an elongate part, the elongate part having a composition of at least 80% tungsten carbide; and   a coating surrounding the elongate part, the coating comprising a material that is more resilient than the material of the elongate part.   
     
     
         2 . A guide element according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongate part has a diameter of less than 1 mm. 
     
     
         3 . A guide element according to  claim 2 , wherein the elongate part has a diameter of less than 0.6 mm. 
     
     
         4 . A guide element according to  claim 3 , wherein the elongate part has a diameter of less than or equal to 0.4 mm. 
     
     
         5 . A guide element according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongate part includes between 5-20% cobalt or nickel. 
     
     
         6 . A guide element according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongate part includes 5% cobalt or nickel. 
     
     
         7 . A guide element according to  claim 1 , wherein the coating holds the elongate part together if the elongate part breaks. 
     
     
         8 . A guide element according to  claim 7 , wherein a thickness of the coating is such that the coating holds broken pieces of the elongate part together while limiting an increase in a diameter of the guide element. 
     
     
         9 . A guide element according to  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the coating is in a range of 0.1 to 0.25 mm. 
     
     
         10 . A guide element according to  claim 7 , wherein the coating comprises a bio compatible material. 
     
     
         11 . A guide element according to  claim 7 , wherein the coating comprises a plastics material. 
     
     
         12 . A guide element according to  claim 7 , wherein the coating comprises a material from one of polyimide, peek optima or technical polyurethane. 
     
     
         13 . A guide element according to  claim 7 , wherein the guide element is a guide wire or guide rod. 
     
     
         14 . A guide element for insertion into a brain to guide implantable instruments, wherein the guide element comprises:
 an elongate part, the elongate part comprising a material which fails rather than bends under force; and   a coating surrounding the elongate part, the coating comprising a material that is more resilient than the material of the elongate part.   
     
     
         15 . A guide element according to  claim 14 , wherein the coating holds the elongate part together if the elongate part breaks. 
     
     
         16 . A guide element according to  claim 15 , wherein a thickness of the coating is such that the coating holds broken pieces of the elongate part together while limiting an increase in a diameter of the guide element. 
     
     
         17 . A guide element according to  claim 14 , wherein the coating comprises a bio compatible material. 
     
     
         18 . A guide element for insertion into a brain to guide implantable instruments, wherein the guide element comprises:
 an elongate part, the elongate part comprising a non ductile material; and   a coating surrounding the elongate part, the coating being more resilient than the elongate part.   
     
     
         19 . A guide element according to  claim 18 , wherein the coating holds the elongate part together if the elongate part breaks. 
     
     
         20 . A guide element according to  claim 19 , wherein a thickness of the coating is such that the coating holds broken pieces of the elongate part together while limiting an increase in a diameter of the elongate part. 
     
     
         21 . A guide element according to  claim 19 , wherein the coating comprises a bio compatible material. 
     
     
         22 . A kit comprising:
 a catheter; and   a guide wire for guiding implantation of the catheter into a brain, the guide wire having a composition of at least 80% tungsten carbide.   
     
     
         23 . A kit comprising:
 a catheter; and   a guide rod for guiding implantation of the catheter into a brain, the guide rod having a composition of at least 80% tungsten carbide.   
     
     
         24 . A kit comprising:
 a guide tube; and   a guide wire for guiding implantation of the guide tube into a brain, the guide wire having a composition of at least 80% tungsten carbide.   
     
     
         25 . A kit comprising:
 a guide tube; and   a guide rod for guiding implantation of the guide tube into a brain, the guide rod having a composition of at least 80% tungsten carbide.