Abstract: The present invention is directed to a steerable guidewire. More specifically, the invention is directed to a guidewire which comprises flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends and inner and outer surfaces, a helically wound flexible spring coil having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the spring coil being attached to the flexible tubing and the distal end of the spring coil comprising stretched coils, a deflection wire extending through the flexible tubing and spring coil, the deflection wire having proximal and distal ends, optionally a control wire having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the control wire being attached to the spring coil proximal to the stretched coils, and a rounded tip engaging the distal end of the spring coil, the distal end of the deflection wire, and the distal end of the control wire.

Abstract: This invention relates to steerable catheters. More particularly, this invention relates to steerable catheters comprising a flexible catheter comprising a spring coil body defining a lumen, the spring coil body having a flexible covering thereon; a deflection wire, the distal end of the deflection wire being attached to the distal end of the spring coil body; and control means attached to the proximal end of the catheter, the proximal end of the deflection wire extending through the control means and the control means having a torque means which fixedly engages said deflection wire.

Abstract: Guide wire and method for insertion and use of a catheter. The guide wire has a shaft of substantially smaller diameter than the luminal opening, with a flexible coil at one end of the shaft. The guide wire is inserted into the cardiovascular system, and the catheter is advanced along the guide wire to the desired position, with the flexible coil outside the distal end of the catheter. An annular passageway is formed between the shaft and the wall of the luminal opening, and fluids are passed through this passageway while the guide wire is within the catheter. A marker of radio opaque material is provided at the distal end of the guide wire so that the position of the wire can be accurately determined even though the wire itself may be too small to be visible with a fluoroscope.

Abstract: A catheter comprising an elongated flexible tube having an elongated passage extending axially through the tube between proximal and distal openings and a helically wound wire engaging the peripheral wall of the tube and providing a portion of the peripheral wall with an uneven contour. The tube includes a radiopaque marker at the distal end of the catheter. The radiopaque marker is molded from a biocompatible metal powder and a thermoplastic binder. The catheter is adapted for use with an angiography catheter, and it is configured to provide automatic orientation of the distal end portion of the catheter as such distal end portion emerges from the distal opening of the angiography catheter.