Abstract: The guidewire provides a core and wire coil construction. The core can be shaped with a generally squared-off distally facing shoulder that forms a platform for a proximal end portion of the wire coil. The wire coil can have a plurality of spaced apart coil turns at its proximal end portion. A bonding agent comprising an adhesive can be used to secure the core to the wire coil proximal end portion.

Abstract: The guidewire provides a core and wire coil construction. The core can be shaped with a generally squared-off distally facing shoulder that forms a platform for a proximal end portion of the wire coil. The wire coil can have a plurality of spaced apart coil turns at its proximal end portion. A bonding agent comprising an adhesive can be used to secure the core to the wire coil proximal end portion.

Abstract: An improved fishing lure used for bait casting including artificial baits and leaders. The fishing lure comprises a wire body that may be formed of a superelastic alloy comprising not greater than about 20% nickel and about 30% chromium, the remainder being titanium, or a semielastic alloy exemplified by an alloy comprising from about 45 to about 49% nickel, not more than about 45% titanium, and about 8% to about 10% of one or more other metals, which may include copper (about 5.5 to about 7.5%), iron (about 1 to about 3%) and chromium (less than about 2%). The wire body may have a bight and engaging divergent legs which extend from the bight. Preferably, the bight is in a generally R-shaped configuration. In one embodiment, the invention provides a fishing lure having a shape memory alloy wire body having contacting, generally flat wire surfaces to provide more rigidity to the lure, thus improving lure performance.

Abstract: An improved fishing lure used for bait casting including artificial baits and leaders. The fishing lure comprises a wire body that may be formed of a superelastic alloy comprising not greater than about 20 percent of nickel and about 30 percent of chromium, with the remainder being titanium. The wire body may have a bight and engaging divergent legs which extend from the bight. Preferably, the bight is in a generally R-shaped configuration. In one embodiment, the invention provides a fishing lure having a shape memory alloy wire body having contacting, generally flat wire surfaces to provide more rigidity to the lure, thus improving lure performance.

Abstract: An introducing apparatus includes an elongate tubular sheath having an external diameter small enough to be readily insertable in a selected vein. The sheath has a bore which receives therein a dilator such that a distal end of the dilator projects from out from the distal end of the sheath. A rotatable fastener is rotatably coupled with the dilator, and couples the sheath with the dilator and prevents axial movement therebetween. An anti-rotation member is associated with the dilator and/or the sheath, which prevents the dilator from rotating relative to the sheath as the rotatable fastener is rotated, and also included are means which allow a user to overcome the anti-rotation features without damage to or inadvertent separation the sheath.