Abstract: Guidewire comprising an elongated core element manufactured from a martensitic alloy that is heat-treated to render a fully hardened core throughout its cross sectional area. The core has a constant taper or step-down decreasing cross sectional area in a direction towards the distal end which is fully hardened throughout its longitudinal length. A single coil, or two coils are carried by and secured to said core element near the distal end.

Abstract: Disclosed herewithin is a method of fabricating a stent which involves processing a tubular member whereby no connection points to join the edges of a flat pattern are necessary. The method includes the steps of a) removing contaminates from a tubular member, b) coating the outside surface of the tubular member with a photo-sensitive resist material, c) placing the tubular member in an apparatus designed to simultaneously rotate the tubular member while passing a specially configured photographic frame negative between a UV light source and the tubular member, thereby exposing a specified pattern of UV light to the resist coated tubular member, d) exposing the outside surface of the tubular member to a photoresist developer for a specified period of time, e) rinsing the excess developer and uncured resist from the outside surface of the tubular member, f) treating the tubular member with a electro-chemical process to remove uncovered metal.