Abstract: A pusher-vasoocclusive coil assembly that is advanced through a catheter to a site within a vessel and is manipulated to detach the coil from the assembly. The coil has an affixed, proximally-extending wire that carries a ball on its proximal end and the pusher has an affixed, distally-extending wire that carries a ball on its distal end. The pusher and coil are coupled by placing the wires and balls in an overlapping interlocked position and enclosing the coupled assembly with a coaxial sleeve. The coil-pusher-sleeve assembly is positioned at the site and the sleeve is retracted to allow the balls to move radially relative to one another to disengage and uncouple the pusher and coil.

Abstract: An extendable guidewire assembly comprising: a guidewire whose proximal end carries a first axial interlocking member; and extension wire whose distal end carries (i) a second axial interlocking member that is adapted to overlap and axially interlock with the first member and (ii) a retractable sleeve that is retracted to permit the interlocking members to be interlocked and extended to enclose the interlocked members to maintain their interlocked relationship.