Abstract: Guidewires, actuators and methods of using the guidewires and actuators are described. These tools and methods allow a user to select and maintain different guidewire stiffness characteristics such that a single guidewire can address a range of access capabilities.

Abstract: A variable-stiffness guidewire system which comprises an elongated flexible guidewire. The guidewire has a body and a tensioning head coupled to the body. The tensioning head is slidably moveable with respect to a guidewire collar coupled to the body via a tensioning wire to adjust a stiffness of the guidewire. The guidewire includes one or more protrusions within a conduit of the guidewire collar which applies a frictional force to the tensioning wire to maintain the tensioning head a desired distance from the collar, thereby maintaining the desired stiffness in the guidewire. A tool can be utilized with the guidewire to engage the guidewire head and move the guidewire head a desired distance from the guidewire collar to achieve a desired stiffness.

Abstract: A variable-stiffness guidewire system which comprises an elongated flexible guidewire. The guidewire has a body and a tensioning head coupled to the body. The tensioning head is slidably moveable with respect to a guidewire collar coupled to the body via a tensioning wire to adjust a stiffness of the guidewire. The guidewire includes one or more protrusions within a conduit of the guidewire collar which applies a frictional force to the tensioning wire to maintain the tensioning head a desired distance from the collar, thereby maintaining the desired stiffness in the guidewire. A tool can be utilized with the guidewire to engage the guidewire head and move the guidewire head a desired distance from the guidewire collar to achieve a desired stiffness.

Abstract: A variable-stiffness guidewire system which comprises an elongated flexible guidewire. The guidewire has a body and a tensioning head coupled to the body. The tensioning head is slidably moveable with respect to a guidewire collar coupled to the body via a tensioning wire to adjust a stiffness of the guidewire. The guidewire includes one or more protrusions within a conduit of the guidewire collar which applies a frictional force to the tensioning wire to maintain the tensioning head a desired distance from the collar, thereby maintaining the desired stiffness in the guidewire. A tool can be utilized with the guidewire to engage the guidewire head and move the guidewire head a desired distance from the guidewire collar to achieve a desired stiffness.

Abstract: A variable-stiffness guidewire system which comprises an elongated flexible guidewire. The guidewire has a body and a guidewire head coupled to the body. The guidewire head is slidably moveable with respect to a guidewire collar of the body to adjust a stiffness of the guidewire. A tool is utilized with the guidewire to engage the guidewire head and move the guidewire head a desired distance from the guidewire collar to achieve a desired stiffness. The tool has a first mechanism that is configured to selectively deploy an insert to be positioned between the guidewire head and the guidewire collar. The insert maintains the desired stiffness of the guidewire.

Abstract: A variable-stiffness guidewire system comprises an elongated flexible guidewire having a body and a guidewire head that is coupled to the body. The guidewire head is slidably moveable with respect to a guidewire collar of the body to adjust a stiffness of at least a portion of the guidewire. An insert is coupled to the guidewire and positioned between the guidewire head and the guidewire collar. The insert has a cross-sectional dimension no larger than a diameter of the body. The insert is configured to maintain a distance of the guidewire head from the guidewire collar to maintain a desired stiffness in the at least a portion of the guidewire.

Abstract: A variable stiffness guidewire comprises a outer body including a plurality of coil windings that are oriented in a first direction. The outer body has a proximal end and a distal end and a hollow interior therebetween. A tension element is positioned within the hollow interior and has first and second opposed ends, wherein the second end is coupled to the distal end of the outer body. The tension element includes a plurality coil windings that are oriented in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The tension element is configured to be pulled in a direction away from the distal end of the outer body to increase a stiffness in at least a portion of the guidewire.