Abstract: A color coding is applied to medical guide wires by coloring portions of the guide wire to distinguish similar guide wires and guide wire portions from a particular manufacturer. The metallic elongate core can be colored using various methods such as electrochemical processes, sputtering, electroplating, and laser inducing microstructures to alter the surface characteristics of the elongate metallic core. Alternatively, the outer layer of the guide wire can be color coded by using non-standard colors or by introducing a colored band on the guide wire.

Abstract: A color coding is applied to medical guide wires by coloring portions of the guide wire to distinguish similar guide wires and guide wire portions from a particular manufacturer. The metallic elongate core can be colored using various methods such as electrochemical processes, sputtering, electroplating, and laser inducing microstructures to alter the surface characteristics of the elongate metallic core. Alternatively, the outer layer of the guide wire can be color coded by using non-standard colors or by introducing a colored band on the guide wire.

Abstract: A color coding is applied to medical guide wires by coloring portions of the guide wire to distinguish similar guide wires and guide wire portions from a particular manufacturer. The metallic elongate core can be colored using various methods such as electrochemical processes, sputtering, electroplating, and laser inducing microstructures to alter the surface characteristics of the elongate metallic core. Alternatively, the outer layer of the guide wire can be color coded by using non-standard colors or by introducing a colored band on the guide wire.

Abstract: An improved intracorporeal device such as a guide wire or other guiding member for use within a patient's body that is at least in part visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) but is not detrimentally affected by the imaging is disclosed. The intracorporeal device has a non-conductive proximal core section, an essentially non-magnetic metallic distal core section that is preferably more flexible than the proximal core section, and that has an MRI visible member or coil in the distal section.

Abstract: A guidewire or section thereof, that has a core member or the like with a plurality of contiguous tapered segments having taper angles that are configured to produce a linear change in stiffness over a longitudinal portion of the device. The device may also have a core section with a continuously changing taper angle to produce a curvilinear profile that is configured to produce a linear change in stiffness of the core over a longitudinal portion of the device. An embodiment has a plurality of radiopaque elements that may be intermittent, continuous or in the form of a helical ribbon for scaled measurement of intracorporeal structure under fluoroscopic imaging. Another embodiment has at least one layer of polymer over the distal end of the device.

Abstract: A guidewire or section thereof, that has a core member or the like with a plurality of contiguous tapered segments having taper angles that are configured to produce a linear change in stiffness over a longitudinal portion of the device. The device may also have a core section with a continuously changing taper angle to produce a curvilinear profile that is configured to produce a linear change in stiffness of the core over a longitudinal portion of the device. An embodiment has a plurality of radiopaque elements that may be intermittent, continuous or in the form of a helical ribbon for scaled measurement of intracorporeal structure under flouroscopic imaging. Another embodiment has at least one layer of polymer over the distal end of the device.

Abstract: A guidewire or section thereof, that has a core member or the like with a plurality of contiguous tapered segments having taper angles that are configured to produce a linear change in stiffness over a longitudinal portion of the device. The device may also have a core section with a continuously changing taper angle to produce a curvilinear profile that is configured to produce a linear change in stiffness of the core over a longitudinal portion of the device. An embodiment has a plurality of radiopaque elements that may be intermittent, continuous or in the form of a helical ribbon for scaled measurement of intracorporeal structure under fluoroscopic imaging. Another embodiment has at least one layer of polymer over the distal end of the device.

Abstract: A guidewire has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion may be coated, as with a hydrophilic or other coating, or may be uncoated. The proximal portion, however, is coated with a specially lubricious coating that serves to reduce resistance and to prevent lock up as the guidewire moves through a guiding catheter. The proximal portion may, for example, be coated with a base layer, such as TEFLON® (polytetrafluoroethylene), and one or more top layers, such as a silicone-based layer. In one approach, two silicone-based top layers are applied. Alternatively, a top layer of spray PTFE, paraffins, olefins, and/or fats may be applied. As an alternative, the base layer may be optional, such that the top layer or layers is coated onto bare metal, or a base other than TEFLON® may be used.

Abstract: The invention is an elongate intracorporeal member having a polymer jacket secured to a high strength shaft with the polymer jacket having an outer layer of polymeric material and an inner layer formed of polymeric adhesive. In one embodiment, a balloon catheter has a proximal high strength tubular section with a polymer jacket having an polymeric outer layer and an adhesive polymer inner layer. In another embodiment, a guidewire has an elongate core with polymer jacket disposed about at least a portion of the elongate core, wherein the polymer jacket comprises a polymeric outer layer an inner layer of polymeric adhesive disposed between and bonding the outer layer to the elongate core.

Abstract: An improved intracorporeal device such as a guide wire or other guiding member for use within a patient's body that is at least in part visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) but is not detrimentally affected by the imaging is disclosed. The intercorporeal device has a non-conductive proximal core section, an essentially non-magnetic metallic distal core section that is preferably more flexible than the proximal core section, and that has an MRI visible member or coil in the distal section.

Abstract: An improved intracorporeal device such as a guide wire or other guiding member for use within a patient's body that is at least in part visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) but is not detrimentally affected by the imaging is disclosed. The intracorporeal device has a non-conductive proximal core section, an essentially non-magnetic metallic distal core section that is preferably more flexible than the proximal core section, and that has an MRI visible member or coil in the distal section.

Abstract: A guidewire or section thereof, that has a core member or the like with a plurality of contiguous tapered segments having taper angles that are configured to produce a linear change in stiffness over a longitudinal portion of the device. The device may also have a core section with a continuously changing taper angle to produce a curvilinear profile that is configured to produce a linear change in stiffness of the core over a longitudinal portion of the device. An embodiment has a plurality of radiopaque elements that may be intermittent, continuous or in the form of a helical ribbon for scaled measurement of intracorporeal structure under flouroscopic imaging. Another embodiment has at least one layer of polymer over the distal end of the device.

Abstract: A guidewire having a flexible coil with a tapered distal tip. Preferably, the flexible coil has a polymer coating at least at its tapered distal portion. The polymer coating may comprise polyurethanes or other suitable polymers. The guidewires of the invention provide desirable performance characteristics, particularly when used to cross relatively tight lesions such as chronic total occlusions.

Abstract: An improved intracorporeal device such as a guide wire or other guiding member for use within a patient's body that is at least in part visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) but is not detrimentally affected by the imaging is disclosed. The intercorporeal device has a non-conductive proximal core section, an essentially non-magnetic metallic distal core section that is preferably more flexible than the proximal core section, and that has an MRI visible member or coil in the distal section.

Abstract: An intraluminal device having an adhesive primer coat formed of a carbonaceous material and a lubricious top coat of a hydrophilic polymeric material. The invention also comprises the methods of making such intraluminal devices. The primer coat of the invention may comprise pure carbon, or a carbon based material such as a polymer. Preferably, the primer coat has a thickness of about 0.1 to about 2 &mgr;m. In a presently preferred embodiment, the primer coat is applied using chemical vapor deposition (CVD), but in certain embodiments, physical vapor deposition (PVD) may be suitable. The deposited primer coat forms an effective substrate for adhesion of the hydrophilic polymer top coat.

Abstract: The invention is an elongate intracorporeal member having a polymer jacket secured to a high strength shaft with the polymer jacket having an outer layer of polymeric material and an inner layer formed of polymeric adhesive. In one embodiment, a balloon catheter has a proximal high strength tubular section with a polymer jacket having an polymeric outer layer and an adhesive polymer inner layer. In another embodiment, a guidewire has an elongate core with polymer jacket disposed about at least a portion of the elongate core, wherein the polymer jacket comprises a polymeric outer layer an inner layer of polymeric adhesive disposed between and bonding the outer layer to the elongate core.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a guide wire having at least two different polymeric jackets that impart different handling characteristics to the portions of the guide wire they surround. Preferably, the guide wire may have jackets of different grades of polymer, such as polyurethane 55D and 90A. Alternatively, the guide wire may have jackets of different types of polymers such as polyurethane and polytetrafluoroethylene, or may have a single polymeric jacket with continuously varying properties along its length. The invention also comprises methods of making such guide wires.

Abstract: The invention is an elongate intracorporeal member having a polymer jacket secured to a high strength shaft with the polymer jacket having an outer layer of polymeric material and an inner layer formed of polymeric adhesive. In one embodiment, a balloon catheter has a proximal high strength tubular section with a polymer jacket having an polymeric outer layer and an adhesive polymer inner layer. In another embodiment, a guidewire has an elongate core with polymer jacket disposed about at least a portion of the elongate core, wherein the polymer jacket comprises a polymeric outer layer an inner layer of polymeric adhesive disposed between and bonding the outer layer to the elongate core.

Abstract: An elongate intracorporeal guiding device for providing access to desired sites within a patients body. The device, which may be configured as a guidewire, is constructed so as to be compatible with sensitive imaging methods such as MRI and the like and not create imaging artifacts or interference with such imaging methods. The guiding device may be constructed so as to have a distal working section that has minimal metallic content or minimal content of materials that can cause imaging artifacts or interference with MRI imaging, other sensitive imaging methods or the like. The device may also have a dock exchange system to allow attachment and detachment of an extension guidewire.

Abstract: A guidewire having a flexible coil with a tapered distal tip. Preferably, the flexible coil has a polymer coating at least at its tapered distal portion. The polymer coating may comprise polyurethanes or other suitable polymers. The guidewires of the invention provide desirable performance characteristics, particularly when used to cross relatively tight lesions such as chronic total occlusions.