Ceramic reinforcement member for MRI devices
The present invention relates to a reinforced magnetic resonance imaging catheter. The catheter comprises a medical device having at least one lumen extending therethrough. The elongated body also includes a proximal end, a distal end, and circumference, a longitudinal axis running between the proximal and distal ends, and a coaxial layer that incorporates at least one elongated ceramic member that is substantially covered with a coating. An antenna is operably disposed proximate the distal end the medical device.
1 - 27 . (canceled)
28 . An intravascular guidewire for use in magnetic resonance imaging, comprising:
a portion comprised of ceramic fibers; and
a coating on an exterior surface of the portion comprised of ceramic fibers, the coating comprised of a polymeric materials.
29 . The intravascular guidewire of claim 28 , where the ceramic fibers are woven together.
30 . The intravascular guidewire of claim 28 , where the ceramic fibers are braided together.
31 . The intravascular guidewire of claim 28 , further comprising:
a central wire portion axially engaged with the portion comprised of ceramic fibers.
32 . The intravascular guidewire of claim 28 , further comprising:
an antenna.
33 . The intravascular guidewire of claim 32 , where the guidewire includes a proximate and a distal end, and the antenna is operably disposed proximate the distal end of the guidewire.
34 . The intravascular guidewire of claim 28 , where the guidewire is of an overall flexibility that the guidewire can be bent without breaking.
35 . The intravascular guidewire of claim 28 , where the portion comprised of ceramic fibers is further comprised of non-ceramic fibers woven together with the ceramic fibers.
36 . The intravascular guidewire of claim 28 , where the portion comprised of ceramic fibers is further comprised of non-ceramic fibers braided together with the ceramic fibers.
37 . The intravascular guidewire of claim 28 , where the portion comprised of ceramic fibers includes a plurality of surface scratches and where the coating fills the scratches and allows the ceramic fibers to be bent without breaking.
38 . The intravascular guidewire of claim 28 , where the ceramic fibers are comprised of at least one of carbon, silicon carbide or aluminum oxide.
39 . An intravascular guidewire for use in magnetic resonance imaging, comprising:
a portion comprised of ceramic fibers; and
a coating on an exterior surface of the portion comprised of ceramic fibers, the coating comprised of a material including pyrolytic carbon.
40 . The intravascular guidewire of claim 39 , where the ceramic fibers are woven or braided together.
41 . The intravascular guidewire of claim 39 , further comprising:
a central wire portion axially engaged with the portion comprised of ceramic fibers.
42 . The intravascular guidewire of claim 39 , further comprising:
an antenna.
43 . The intravascular guidewire of claim 42 , where the guidewire includes a proximate and a distal end, and the antenna is operably disposed proximate the distal end of the guidewire.
44 . The intravascular guidewire of claim 39 , where the guidewire is of an overall flexibility that the guidewire can be bent without breaking.
45 . The intravascular guidewire of claim 39 , where the portion comprised of ceramic fibers is further comprised of non-ceramic fibers woven or braided together with the ceramic fibers.
46 . The intravascular guidewire of claim 39 , where the portion comprised of ceramic fibers includes a plurality of surface scratches and where the coating fills the scratches and allows the ceramic fibers to be bent without breaking.
47 . The intravascular guidewire of claim 39 , where the ceramic fibers are comprised of at least one of carbon, silicon carbide or aluminum oxide.