Torque devices for use with intravascular devices and associated systems and methods

Abstract

Torque devices for use with intravascular devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a torque device for use with an intravascular device includes a first component having a body defining a tapered opening for receiving a proximal portion of the intravascular device, a first arm extending from the body, and a second arm extending from the body; and a second component movably coupled to the first component, wherein the second component is movable relative to the first component between an open position where the torque device is configured to slidably receive the proximal portion of the flexible elongate member between the first and second arms of the first component and a closed position where the torque device fixedly engages the proximal portion of the flexible elongate member between first and second arms of the first component.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A torque device for use with an intravascular device, the torque device comprising:
 only a first component and a second component such that the first component defines a distal end of the torque device and the second component defines a proximal end of the torque device,   wherein the first component comprises:
 a body comprising an opening sized and shaped to receive a proximal portion of the intravascular device; and 
 only a first arm and a second arm extending from the body; and 
 a space disposed between the first arm and the second arm, 
   wherein the first component and the second component are moveably coupled to one another,   wherein the first component is distal to the second component along a length of the torque device,   wherein the second component comprises an opening sized and shaped to receive the first arm and the second arm of the first component, and not the body of the first component,   wherein the proximal portion of the intravascular device is configured to extend within the space between the first arm and the second arm,   wherein relative movement between the first component and the second component are configured to cause the first arm and the second arm to grip the proximal portion of the intravascular device.   
     
     
         2 . The torque device of  claim 1 ,
 wherein an outer profile of the first arm comprises a first half of a circle, and   wherein an outer profile of the second arm comprises a second half of the circle opposite to the first half of the circle.   
     
     
         3 . The torque device of  claim 2 ,
 wherein an inner profile of the first arm comprises a first planar surface, and   wherein an inner profile of the second arm comprises a second planar surface opposite to the first planar surface.   
     
     
         4 . The torque device of  claim 3 ,
 wherein the outer profile of the first arm and the inner profile of the first arm form a first semicircle,   wherein the outer profile of the second arm and the inner profile of the second arm form a second semicircle opposite to the first semicircle.   
     
     
         5 . The torque device of  claim 3 , wherein the space is disposed between the first planar surface and the second planar surface. 
     
     
         6 . The torque device of  claim 3 , wherein the first planar surface comprises a longitudinal recess sized and shaped to receive the proximal portion of the intravascular device. 
     
     
         7 . The torque device of  claim 6 , wherein the first planar surface is configured to grip the proximal portion of the intravascular device against the second planar surface while the proximal portion of the intravascular device is received within the longitudinal recess. 
     
     
         8 . The torque device of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the body comprises a central lumen in communication with the opening,   wherein the central lumen is sized and shaped to slidably receive the proximal portion of the intravascular device.   
     
     
         9 . The torque device of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the body comprises a distal portion of the first component, and   wherein the first arm and the second arm comprise a proximal portion of the first component such that the first arm and the second arm extend proximally from the body.   
     
     
         10 . The torque device of  claim 1 , wherein the second component is movable relative to the first component between:
 an open position in which the torque device is configured to slidably receive the proximal portion of the intravascular device between the first arm and the second arm of the first component; and   a closed position in which the torque device fixedly engages the proximal portion of the intravascular device between the first arm and second arm of the first component.   
     
     
         11 . The torque device of  claim 10 ,
 wherein the proximal portion of the intravascular device is fixedly engaged over only a single contact area,   wherein the single contact area is disposed between the first arm and the second arm of the first component.   
     
     
         12 . The torque device of  claim 1 ,
 wherein a distal portion of the first component comprises a first plurality of radial projections extending longitudinally along the first component and circumferentially separated from one another by a first spacing, and   wherein a distal portion of the second component comprises a second plurality of radial projections extending longitudinally along the second component and circumferentially separated from one another by the first spacing.   
     
     
         13 . The torque device of  claim 12 ,
 wherein a proximal portion of the second component comprises a further plurality of radial projections extending longitudinally along the second component and circumferentially separated from one another by a second spacing different than the first spacing.