Abstract: A preformed guidewire particularly well-suited for use in percutaneous medical procedures, such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement, includes an inner corewire of discontinuous, tapered stiffness that is surrounded along a portion of its length by a flexible, outer casing of uniform cross-section, such as a tightly wound, stainless steel, spring coil wire. The inner corewire is constructed of a shape-memory material, such as a nickel-titanium alloy, that is preformed into an encircled S-shaped configuration in its atraumatic distal region. Specifically, the distal region includes an enlarged, stiffened, proximate segment that encircles a smaller, more flexible, distal segment. As a feature of the invention, the distal and proximal segments project along fixed-radial arcuate paths that extend in opposite directions from one another. As a result, the distal region is optimally configured to limit the risk of trauma to the immediate site of treatment when inserted through a straightened guide catheter.

Abstract: A preformed guidewire particularly well-suited for use in percutaneous medical procedures, such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement, includes an inner corewire of discontinuous, tapered stiffness that is surrounded along a portion of its length by a flexible, outer casing of uniform cross-section, such as a tightly wound, stainless steel, spring coil wire. The inner corewire is constructed of a shape-memory material, such as a nickel-titanium alloy, that is preformed into an encircled S-shaped configuration in its atraumatic distal region. Specifically, the distal region includes an enlarged, stiffened, proximate segment that encircles a smaller, more flexible, distal segment. As a feature of the invention, the distal and proximal segments project along fixed-radial arcuate paths that extend in opposite directions from one another. As a result, the distal region is optimally configured to limit the risk of trauma to the immediate site of treatment when inserted through a straightened guide catheter.

Abstract: A composite guidewire comprising a proximal wire segment having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the distal end being formed with a first flat planar bonding face which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis, the proximal wire segment having a first elasticity; a distal wire segment having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the proximal end being formed with a second flat planar bonding face which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis, the distal wire segment having a second elasticity; wherein the first and second flat planar bonding faces of the proximal wire segment are formed complementary to one another; and further wherein the proximal and distal wire segments are joined together by bonding the first flat planar bonding face to the second flat planar bonding face in an overlapping manner and a method for forming a composite guidewire.