Abstract: An infusion flow guidewire and a system including an infusion flow guidewire. The minimal cross section flexible infusion flow guidewire includes a nitinol hypotube, a flexible tip having a closed distal end, a coil, a core wire and at least one distally located rearwardly directed jet orifice for infusion of fibrinolytics and for introduction of high pressure fluids for maceration and rearwardly directed flow of thrombus debris located in tortuous small sized vessels. Apparatus, some of which is removably attachable, is provided in the system for grasping members of the invention for rotational torqueing and for longitudinal actuation along and within the vasculature.

Abstract: An infusion flow guidewire and a system including an infusion flow guidewire. The minimal cross section flexible infusion flow guidewire includes a nitinol hypotube, a flexible tip having a closed distal end, a coil, a core wire and at least one distally located rearwardly directed jet orifice for infusion of fibrinolytics and for introduction of high pressure fluids for maceration and rearwardly directed flow of thrombus debris located in tortuous small sized vessels. Apparatus, some of which is removably attachable, is provided in the system for grasping members of the invention for rotational torqueing and for longitudinal actuation along and within the vasculature.

Abstract: A protective system or apparatus for use in vascular procedures includes a tubular guidewire, a control cable slidable within the tubular guidewire, and a sheathless filter. The control cable is attached to a distal end of the sheathless filter and the tubular guidewire is attached to a proximal end of the sheathless filter. Selective displacement of the control cable radially expands the sheathless filter to create a proximal exterior convex primary filter surface that is positionable downstream from a site of a vascular procedure. The sheathless filter also presents a distal interior concave secondary filter surface. Preferably, the sheathless filter is constructed of a braided wire framework in the form of a tube over which woven polymer fibers or strands are applied to create a filter mesh having a softer filter surface.