Color coded guide wire and methods of making same

Abstract

A color coding is applied to medical guide wires by coloring portions of the guide wire to distinguish similar guide wires and guide wire portions from a particular manufacturer. The metallic elongate core can be colored using various methods such as electrochemical processes, sputtering, electroplating, and laser inducing microstructures to alter the surface characteristics of the elongate metallic core. Alternatively, the outer layer of the guide wire can be color coded by using non-standard colors or by introducing a colored band on the guide wire.

1 - 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A method of color coding a guide wire for use in a medical procedure having an elongate metallic core member, a flexible distal end, and a low friction outer coating, comprising:
 attaching a colored band to the guide wire at a proximal end of the guide wire.   
     
     
         41 . The method of color coding a guide wire of  claim 40 , further comprising applying an extruded polymer onto the guide wire to form the colored band. 
     
     
         42 . The method of color coding a guide wire of  claim 41 , further comprising removing a portion of the low friction outer coating to create a void, and then applying the colored extruded polymer band at the void where the low friction outer coating was removed. 
     
     
         43 . The method of color coding a guide wire of  claim 41 , wherein the colored polymer is selected from a group comprising melt-processable fluoropolymers and polyurethanes. 
     
     
         44 . The method of color coding a guide wire of  claim 41 , wherein the color of the band is selected from a group comprising white, blue, yellow, gold, and teal. 
     
     
         45 . The method of color coding a guide wire of  claim 41 , further comprising removing a portion of the low friction outer coating with a laser. 
     
     
         46 . The method of color coding a guide wire of  claim 41 , further comprising roughening a surface of the elongate core member to yield a better surface for adhesion with the extruded colored band. 
     
     
         47 . The method of color coding a guide wire of  claim 41 , further comprising applying a layer of silane to the elongate core member prior to applying the colored extruded polymer band. 
     
     
         48 . The method of color coding a guide wire of  claim 41 , further comprising applying a layer of adhesive to the elongate core member prior to applying the colored extruded polymer band. 
     
     
         49 . The method of color coding a guide wire of  claim 41 , further comprising reducing a diameter of the elongate core member at a position where the color colored band is to be located. 
     
     
         50 . The method of color coding a guide wire of  claim 41 , further comprising grinding the elongate core member to include a taper for enhancing adhesion of the colored band with the elongate core member, 
     
     
         51 . The method of color coding a guide wire of  claim 41 , further comprising removing the guide wire from an extrusion apparatus once a desired length of polymer is extruded onto the guide wire. 
     
     
         52 . The method of color coding a guide wire of  claim 41 , further comprising applying a lubricious coating to the colored band to minimize friction with a catheter. 
     
     
         53 . A method of color coding a guide wire used for a medical procedure having a metallic core member, a flexible distal end, and a low friction outer coating, comprising:
 applying a laser to the elongate core member to form microstructures on a surface of the metallic core member, where a type and number of microstructures determines a color of the metallic core member.   
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , where the laser is a femtosecond laser. 
     
     
         55 - 66 . (canceled)