US 12,233,226 B2
Devices and methods for treating a stricture along the biliary and/or pancreatic tract
Raymond D. Gessler, III, Roberts, WI (US); Peter L. Dayton, Brookline, MA (US); David B. Joda, St. Paul, MN (US); Kyle L. Lemke, Hudson, WI (US); Jason Matteson, Beldenville, WI (US); and Mark P. Olson, New Brighton, MN (US)
Assigned to BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC., Maple Grove, MN (US)
Filed by BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC., Maple Grove, MN (US)
Filed on Aug. 4, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/393,999.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/061,522, filed on Aug. 5, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0040457 A1, Feb. 10, 2022
Int. Cl. A61M 25/09 (2006.01)
CPC A61M 25/09041 (2013.01) [A61M 2025/09091 (2013.01); A61M 2025/09116 (2013.01); A61M 2025/0915 (2013.01); A61M 2025/09175 (2013.01); A61M 2210/1042 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
8. A method for antegrade stricture crossing along the biliary and/or pancreatic tract, the method comprising:
advancing a variable stiffness guidewire to a position adjacent to a stricture along the biliary and/or pancreatic tract;
wherein the variable stiffness guidewire comprises:
an elongate core member having a proximal end region and a distal end region,
a coil member disposed along the distal end region,
an actuation member coupled to the coil member and disposed between the core member and the coil member, the actuation member extending along an exterior of the core member proximal of the coil member, the actuation member being configured to shift the coil member between a first configuration and a compressed configuration, and
a sleeve disposed over the coil member;
actuating the actuation member longitudinally towards the proximal end region, to shift the coil member to the compressed configuration; and
advancing the variable stiffness guidewire across the stricture.