Abstract: A torque transmitting assembly for guidewires, steerable fixed wire catheters and the like with a drive mechanism wherein the rotational output is greater than the rotational input. The assembly has a supporting structure with proximal and distal end pieces and a connecting arm or strut extending between and secured to the end pieces. An outer cylindrical shaped housing is rotatably mounted about the connecting arm and between the ends. A ring gear or other torque transmitting element is secured to the interior of the housing. A pinion gear or other torque transmitting element having a smaller diameter than the ring gear is rotatably mounted within support structure and the housing and is adapted to engage the ring gear in a torque transmitting relationship. The proximal end of a guidewire or the guiding element of a steerable catheter is secured to the pinion gear so that rotation thereof by the rotation of the housing causes a much greater the rotation of the attached guidewire or guiding element.

Abstract: A device to facilitate the joining of a male proximal end of a guidewire to the female end of an extension wire. The device has a relatively flat body with a guiding groove in the upper surface with two aligned sections, the goove sections tapering inwardly toward the intersection thereof. One of the groove sections is adapted to receive the male end of the guidewire and one groove is adapted to receive the female end of the extension. One, preferably two, flexible tabs are secured to the upper surface of the body to maintain one of the ends within its respective groove section. The device and/or the connecting wires can be disengaged by the rotation thereof with respect to each other.