Abstract: Alternative designs, materials and manufacturing methods for guidewires. Some embodiments pertain to a composite guidewire having proximal and distal section, and a connector adapted and configured for permanently joining the proximal section to the distal section. In some embodiments, at least one of the sections is made of a linear-elastic nickel-titanium alloy. Several alternative guidewire tip designs including coiled safety/shaping structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: An intracorporal device includes a helically wound coil having a plurality of windings forming a coil length and a thermoplastic polymer sleeve circumferentially disposed about a portion of the coil length. A plurality of discrete affixation points are disposed along the coil length. Each discrete affixation point fixes the thermoplastic polymer sleeve to two or more coil windings.

Abstract: An intracorporeal device includes a helically wound coil having a plurality of windings having an outer perimeter and forming a coil length and a plurality of joining elements disposed on only a portion of the outer perimeter and along the coil length. Each joining element couples two coil windings.