NEUROLOGICAL APPARATUS
A guide element for insertion into the brain to guide implantable instruments, wherein the guide element comprises an elongate part, the elongate ‘part having a composition of at least 80% tungsten carbide. The guide element may have a coating, such as a biocompatible plastics material which is more resilient than the elongate part.
1 . A guide element for insertion into the brain to guide implantable instruments, wherein the guide element comprises an elongate part, the elongate part having a composition of at least 80% tungsten carbide.
2 . A guide element according to claim 1 , wherein the elongate part has a diameter of less than 1 mm.
3 . A guide element according to claim 2 wherein the elongate part has a diameter of less than 0.6 mm.
4 . A guide element according to claim 3 where the elongate part has a diameter of less than or equal to 0.4 mm.
5 . A guide element according to claim 1 wherein the elongate part includes between 5-20% cobalt or nickel.
6 . A guide element according to claim 1 wherein the elongate part includes about 5% cobalt or nickel.
7 . A guide element according to claim 1 wherein the guide element further comprises a coating surrounding the elongate part.
8 . A guide element according to claim 7 wherein the coating comprises a different material than the elongate part.
9 . A guide element according to claim 7 wherein the material of the coating is more resilient than the material of the elongate part.
10 . A guide element according to claim 7 wherein the coating comprises a bio compatible material.
11 . A guide element according to claim 7 wherein the coating comprises a plastics material.
12 . A guide element according to claim 7 wherein the coating comprises a material from one of polyimide, peek optima or technical polyurethane.
13 . A guide element according to claim 7 wherein the guide element is a guide wire or guide rod.
14 . A guide element for insertion into the brain to guide implantable instruments, wherein the guide element comprises an elongate part, the elongate part comprising a material which fails rather than bends under force.
15 . A guide element according to claim 14 wherein the guide element further comprises a coating surrounding the elongate part.
16 . A guide element according to claim 15 wherein the coating is more resilient than the material of the elongate part.
17 . A guide element according to claim 14 wherein the coating comprises a bio compatible material.
18 . A guide element for insertion into the brain to guide implantable instruments, wherein the guide element comprises an elongate part, the elongate part comprising a non ductile material.
19 . A guide element according to claim 18 wherein the guide element further comprises a coating surrounding the elongate part.
20 . A guide element according to claim 19 wherein the coating is more resilient than the material of the elongate part.
21 . A guide element according to claim 19 wherein the coating comprises a bio compatible material.