Abstract: A rigidizing guiderail includes a rigidizing elongate tube having a tubular inner layer, a stiffening layer positioned radially outwards of the tubular inner layer, an outer layer over the tubular inner layer and the stiffening layer, and a vacuum or pressure inlet between the tubular inner layer and tire outer layer and configured to attach to a source of vacuum or pressure. The inner diameter of the tubular inner layer forms a guide wire lumen. The rigidizing elongate tube is configured to have a rigid configuration when vacuum or pressure is applied through the inlet and a flexible configuration when vacuum or pressure is not applied through the inlet.