Laser-assisted guidewire having a variable stiffness shaft

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention comprise a fiber optic guidewire having a hypotube with a plurality of openings that provide variable stiffness and tracking characteristics between at least one proximal segment and one distal segment of the guidewire. In some embodiments, the guidewire further comprises a mandrel disposed within the hypotube, the mandrel cooperating with the optical fibers to permit the distal end of the hypotube to be shaped as desired by a user. Methods of manufacturing and using the guidewire are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 21  (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method of manufacturing a guidewire, comprising:
 providing a hypotube having a proximal end and a distal end, and a plurality of apertures disposed in a wall of the hypotube between the proximal end and the distal end;   placing two or more optical fibers at least partially within the hypotube; and   introducing an adhesive material into the hypotube, and allowing the material to wick along the optical fibers and into at least one of the plurality of apertures of the wall of the hypotube, such that the adhesive material forms an adhesive plug that fixes the optical fibers relative to the hypotube.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising inserting a mandrel at least partially within the hypotube. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the guidewire comprises at least one proximal portion having a first stiffness and at least one distal portion having a second stiffness less than the first stiffness. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein introducing the adhesive material into the hypotube includes placing at placing at least a portion of the hypotube in a mold and introducing the adhesive material into the hypotube while the at least a portion of the hypotube is positioned in the mold. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein introducing the adhesive material into the hypotube includes heating the adhesive material within the mold to facilitate allowing the material to wick along the optical fibers and into the at least one of the plurality of apertures of the wall of the hypotube. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein introducing the adhesive material into the hypotube includes introducing cold air to the mold to facilitate setting of the adhesive material and formation of the adhesive plug. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the mandrel is fixed relative to the hypotube by the adhesive plug. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the adhesive plug is present at the at least one proximal portion having a first stiffness and the adhesive plug is absent at the at least one distal portion. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the adhesive material comprises an epoxy material. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising coating the hypotube with a lubricious material. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the lubricious material comprises a hydrophilic polymer. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the distal end of the hypotube comprises an outer surface having the plurality of apertures, and wherein the outer surface comprises a series of hoops and braces, wherein the series comprises at least two circumferentially oriented hoops and longitudinally oriented braces, wherein the at least two braces are coupled to the at least two hoops. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising forming the plurality of apertures in the wall of the hypotube via at least one of grinding, cutting, molding, etching, and laser cutting. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the adhesive plug is a first adhesive plug, and wherein the adhesive material additionally forms a second adhesive plug that fixes the optical fibers relative to the hypotube.