Shape Memory Medical Device and Methods of Use

Abstract

A method of treating a patient includes providing a guidewire having an elongate body defining a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate body including a shapeable portion disposed proximate the proximal end, the shapeable portion being malleable so as to be shaped into a shape and remain in the shape until reshaped. The distal end of the elongate body is advanced into a vasculature of the patient. The shapeable portion of the elongate body is shaped into a first shape that prevents advancement of the guidewire further into the vasculature of the patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating a patient, comprising:
 providing a guidewire having an elongate body defining a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate body including a shapeable portion disposed proximate the proximal end, the shapeable portion being malleable so as to be shaped into a shape and remain in the shape until reshaped;   advancing the distal end of the elongate body into a vasculature of the patient; and   shaping the shapeable portion of the elongate body into a first shape that prevents advancement of the guidewire further into the vasculature of the patient.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising advancing an apparatus over the guidewire to an incision site on a corpus of the patient before shaping the shapeable portion of the elongate body into the first shape, the first shape interacting in contact with the apparatus to prevent advancement of the guidewire further into the vasculature of the patient. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the first shape interacts in contact with a proximal end of the apparatus to prevent advancement of the guidewire further into the vasculature of the patient. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the apparatus is vessel dilator, and the first shape interacts in contact with the vessel dilator to prevent advancement of the guidewire further into the vasculature of the patient. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the apparatus is a needle assembly including a needle configured to allow at least a portion of the guidewire to pass therethrough, and the first shape interacts in contact with the needle assembly to prevent advancement of the guidewire further into the vasculature of the patient. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the needle assembly includes a luer fitting that interacts in contact with the first shape to prevent advancement of the guidewire further into a vasculature of the patient. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein before the shapeable portion of the elongate body is shaped into the first shape, the proximal end points in a first direction, and wherein shaping the shapeable portion of the elongate body into the first shape includes shaping the shapeable portion such that the proximal end points in a second direction different from the first direction. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein shaping the shapeable portion such that the proximal end points in a second direction different from the first direction includes shaping the shapeable portion such that the second direction is at an angle oblique to the first direction. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein shaping the shapeable portion of the elongate body into the first shape includes shaping the shapeable portion into a circular shape. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein shaping the shapeable portion of the elongate body into the first shape includes shaping the shapeable portion into a hook shape. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein shaping the shapeable portion of the elongate body into the hook shape includes reorienting the proximal end of the elongate body such that the proximal end points in a direction toward the distal end of the elongate body. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the providing a guidewire comprises providing the shapeable portion with a shape memory material that has been heat-treated to lose its superelastic characteristics and become malleable. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the providing a guidewire comprises providing the shapeable portion with a length of about 10 cm. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the providing a guidewire comprises providing the elongate body with a distal portion comprising untreated shape memory material that retains its superelastic characteristics. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising reshaping the shapeable portion of the elongate body from the first shape into a second shape different from the first shape. 
     
     
         16 . A method of treating a patient, comprising:
 providing a guidewire having an elongate body defining a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate body including a shaped portion disposed proximate the proximal end, the shaped portion comprising a shape memory material and being deflected from a longitudinal axis defined by an undeflected portion of the body, wherein the shaped portion is substantially deformable when a load is applied thereon, and wherein the shaped portion returns to its undeformed shape when the load is removed;   advancing the distal end of the elongate body into a vasculature of the patient;   causing the guidewire to cease further advancement into the vasculature of the patient by bringing the shaped portion into contact with an apparatus or tissue of the patient at an incision site.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising advancing the apparatus over the guidewire to the incision site on a corpus of the patient and then causing the guidewire to cease further advancement into the vasculature of the patient by bringing the shaped portion into contact with the apparatus. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the shaped portion interacts in contact with a proximal end of the apparatus to prevent advancement of the guidewire further into the vasculature of the patient. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the apparatus is a needle assembly including a needle configured to allow at least a portion of the guidewire to pass therethrough, and the shaped portion interacts in contact with the needle assembly to prevent advancement of the guidewire further into the vasculature of the patient. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the shaped portion is configured such that the proximal end of the elongate body points in a direction toward the distal end of the elongate body.