Abstract: An introducer assembly for introducing a stent-graft or other device into a vessel of a patient is provided with a dilator tip which is naturally curved, preferably to be substantially a U-shape. The dilator tip is flexible so as to be able to become substantially straight with a guide wire therein and yet to be able to curve back towards its natural curvature during deployment of an implant. The curvature of the dilator tip can ensure that the dilator tip does not cause damage to the vessel wall during deployment of an implant carried thereon, as can occur with straight dilator tips.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method of treating a subject having diabetes or symptoms associated with diabetes is provided. The method includes delivering a neuromodulation catheter within a vessel (e.g., hepatic artery) having surrounding nerves that innervate the liver (e.g., sympathetic nerves of the hepatic plexus). The method may also include modulating (e.g., disrupting, ablating, stimulating) the nerves by mechanical compression, energy delivery, or fluid delivery.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method of treating a subject having diabetes or symptoms associated with diabetes is provided. The method includes delivering a neuromodulation catheter within a vessel (e.g., hepatic artery) having surrounding nerves that innervate the liver (e.g., sympathetic nerves of the hepatic plexus). The method may also include modulating (e.g., disrupting, ablating, stimulating) the nerves by mechanical compression, energy delivery, or fluid delivery.

Abstract: A steerable multi-polar lead shaft assembly includes a core member extending longitudinally through the shaft assembly, a plurality electrically conductive elements disposed within the core member, a plurality of steering wires circumferentially distributed about the core member. A control mechanism for a steerable catheter, such as the steerable multi-polar lead assembly, includes a mounting portion adapted to engage a steerable shaft, a stem extending from the mounting portion, a swivel joint arranged at a proximal end of the stem, a control yoke rotatably mounted on the swivel joint, adapted to engage a plurality of steering wires of the steerable catheter, and a handle connected with the yoke, adapted for direct manipulation by a user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a model based positioning system that includes a positioning device having at least one transmitter configured to be in a tracking environment, e.g. inserted into a body, a receiver having a plurality of receiver elements arranged outside the tracking environment, a control unit configured to measure amplitude and/or phase information of a signal transmitted from the at least one transmitter and received at each receiving element, and a memory unit M for storing a model for each receiving element. The control unit is also configured to estimate the position P of the positioning device by comparing the model for each receiving element with the measured received signal for each receiving element.

Abstract: A sphenocath including a sheath assembly including a sheath hub with a sheath tube extending therefrom with a passage extending from a proximal end of the sheath hub to a distal end of the sheath tube; a catheter assembly including a catheter hub with a catheter tube extending therefrom with a passage extending from a proximal end of the catheter hub to a distal end of the catheter tube; wherein the catheter assembly passes through the sheath assembly with a portion of the catheter hub engaging a portion of the sheath hub to limit relative rotation between the hubs while permitting relative axial movement such that in an initial non-extended position the distal end of the catheter tube is proximate to the distal end of the sheath tube. A system further including a guidewire is also provided. A method of inserting the catheter tube is also provided.

Abstract: A distal embolic protection device for dedicated use in cerebral arterial blood vessels is described. The distal embolic protection device comprises a variable-thickness micro-guidewire and a collapsible filtering device mounted on the microguidewire over two mobile attachment points so that in its collapsed configuration, the thickness of the microguidewire and the filtering device at this region is less than or equal to 0.017 inch (0.432 mm) in thickness to be able to pass through existing conventional microcatheters. The mobile attachment points allow for rotatory and longitudinal mobility of the microguidewire while the filtering device is stable thereby decreasing the risk of trauma to the fragile cerebral arterial blood vessels. Preferably, the filtering device comprises an expansion assembly, e.g., a plurality of struts attached to a filter membrane that are in a folded position which self expand to the desired dimensions within the cerebral blood vessels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coated medical device for rapid delivery of a therapeutic agent to a tissue in seconds to minutes. The medical device has a layer overlying the exterior surface of the medical device. The layer contains a therapeutic agent, a contrast agent, and an additive.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a removable cap for connection to an input port of a catheter, comprising a proximal end having a lumen configured to house a guidewire therethrough; a distal end configured to reversibly mate with a luer lock of the input port of a catheter, the distal end having a lumen configured to house the guidewire therethrough; and a tubular body between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the tubular body comprises an anti-migration feature transformable between a first configuration to allow slidable movement of the guidewire within the cap in a first direction toward the patient, and a second configuration to prevent slidable movement of the guidewire within the cap in the first direction toward the patient. Systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a guide extension catheter. The guide extension catheter may include a push member having a proximal portion with a proximal stiffness, a distal portion with a distal stiffness different from the proximal stiffness, and a transition portion disposed between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The transition portion may provide a smooth transition between the proximal stiffness and the distal stiffness. The push member may have a first outer diameter. A distal tubular member may be attached to the push member. The distal tubular member may have a second outer diameter larger than the first outer diameter.

Abstract: A medical operation device is attachable to an insertion portion of a medical instrument for observation.

Abstract: A protector which is used to cover a distal portion of a guide wire protruding from a distal opening of a tube body includes a first half body and a second half body which are movable between an open state and a closed state. Each of the first half body and the second half body includes a guide wire sandwiching and holding portion which mutually sandwich and hold the distal portion of the guide wire cooperatively in the closed state of the protector. Each of the first half body and the second half body also includes a tube body sandwiching and holding portion which mutually sandwich and hold the tube body cooperatively in the closed state of the protector.

Abstract: A method and a device for use in conjunction with an imaging modality (202), for controlling the angular orientation of a needle-shaped object (212) while moving it along a path (214) from a given entry point to a given target point in a body during a percutaneous intervention. The device comprises a support unit (502, 602, 702, 802) for supporting a guiding unit (506, 706), which support unit provides a pair of parallel control planes (604, 606) which are at least partially detectable by the imaging modality. The guiding unit establishes a guiding axis (612, 818) substantially perpendicular to the pair of parallel control planes along which guiding axis the needle-shaped object is translatable. The angular orientation of an imaging plane (204) applied by the imaging modality determines a reference for the angular orientation of the pair of parallel control planes.

Abstract: Provided is a medical appliance excellent in slidability and durability. A medical appliance comprising a base material, a polyimide film (A) and a polymer film (B) having a higher nitrogen content and/or a higher oxygen content than respective contents of the polyimide film (A). The appliance has the polymer film (B) on a part or the whole of the surface of the base material, and has the polyimide film (A) on the polymer film (B).

Abstract: The present invention provides an endoscopic apparatus reversibly insertable into a curved lumen of a patient, comprising: a. a flexible sleeve characterized by a proximal end and a distal end; said distal end of said flexible sleeve comprising: i. a flexible folded sleeve part comprising a portion of said flexible sleeve in a compact and folded arrangement; said compact and folded sleeve portion unfolds and evert; said folded sleeve part is characterized by a predetermined length Lfold; ii.

Abstract: A male coupler for a guidewire, the guidewire having a hollow walled tube, the male coupler comprising a connector section, coupled with the guidewire, a portion of the connector section having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the hollow tube, at least one conducting ring coupled with the connector section where the diameter of the connector section is smaller the diameter of the guidewire, wherein the diameter of connector section and the at least one conducting ring substantially equals the diameter of the guidewire.

Abstract: A device for the medical treatment is provided which includes not only a function for applying turning force to a guide wire but also a function for inserting an end portion of the guide wire into an opening of a catheter and therefore is excellent in workability. In one form, a device for the medical treatment includes a guide wire connecting section capable of being connected to a guide wire to apply turning force to the guide wire, and a catheter connecting section to which a catheter can be connected and which can relatively move toward and away from the guide wire connecting section.

Abstract: A balloon catheter including a dedicated contrast fluid lumen is disclosed. The contrast fluid lumen extends through the catheter shaft to a contrast fluid delivery port located proximate the inflatable balloon and is configured to deliver contrast fluid to a target location. The catheter shaft includes a joint located proximate the contrast fluid port formed between a distal end of a proximal outer tubular member, a distal end of an inner tubular member and a proximal end of a distal outer tubular member. A guidewire tube, defining a guidewire lumen, may extend through the lumen of the proximal and distal outer tubular members.

Abstract: Devices and methods for screening for ovarian and endometrial cancer are disclosed. The device includes a catheter positioned to enter an endometrial cavity of the patient. The device can include a transvaginal probe configured to be inserted into a vagina of the patient, and a needle both coupled to the transvaginal probe. The needle can be is positioned to enter a cul-de-sac of the patient when the transvaginal probe is inserted into the vagina, and into the cul-de-sac, and the needle is configured to collect the fluid from the cul-de-sac. The catheter can also configured to deliver fluid into the endometrial cavity. The fluid can also be a dye injected into the endometrial cavity and absorbed by the endometrial carcinoma and that drains into at least one sentinel lymph node. The sentinel lymph node can be identified to allow for dissection and further examination for micrometastasis.

Abstract: A system and method for vessel catheterization is provided, having an introducer sheath and a catheter. The introducer sheath can include a handle and a sheath body extending from the handle. An access lumen is provided in the introducer sheath, and can include a tapered portion that is sized to receive a tapered outer surface of the catheter. The catheter may be a central venous catheter, such as a peripherally inserted central catheter, including a hub, a catheter body with at least one lumen extending distally from the hub, and at least one tube extending proximally from the hub. The introducer sheath is preferably a splittable sheath. The catheter can be inserted into the access lumen, and translated until confronting surfaces of the tapered outer surface of the catheter body and the tapered portion of the introducer sheath contact one another. This arrangement can inhibit buckling and/or kinking of the catheter during insertion, and improve initial catheter tip positioning.

Abstract: A system for advancing a needle through a vasculature to an injection site at the heart of a patient includes a guide catheter with a reflective distal tip. Also included is an imaging unit that is mounted on the catheter to radiate an energy field. Structurally, a distal portion of the catheter is biased to bend into a predetermined configuration that will position the distal end of the catheter for interception by the energy field. If necessary, coincidence of the reflective tip with the energy field is established by moving the energy field along the length of the guide catheter. With coincidence, the reflective tip reflects a signal that is useful for advancement of the needle from the guide catheter and into the injection site.

Abstract: A stylet capable of being at least partially disposed within a lumen of a device is disclosed. This stylet may include an elongated body comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one magnetic material. In certain embodiments, the elongated body may also include at least one core element, a tubular member circumferentially disposed about at least a portion of the core element, and/or at least one support member circumferentially disposed about at least a portion of the core element. In addition, a matrix material may be disposed between the core element and the tubular member to retain the magnetic material within the elongated body. A catheter assembly including a stylet and a corresponding method of manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: A rapid exchange catheter comprises a guide wire lumen including a substantially sealed portion in which a lumen wall extends around an entire periphery thereof and a channel portion including a channel opening the lumen to an exterior of the catheter, wherein a width of the channel is less than a maximum width of the channel portion. A guide wire ramp extends into the channel portion, with the ramp extending further into the lumen of the channel portion as a distal end of the ramp is approached.

Abstract: A method of delivering therapy to a target site. The method includes (a) obtaining a base image of the target site, (b) injecting a dose of a mix of a therapeutic agent and a contrast agent into a first injection location at the target site via a needle passing through a catheter, (c) collecting sequential fluoroscopic images of a contrast agent dispersion cloud at the first injection location, (d) determining a contrast agent dispersion area from the sequential fluoroscopic images, (e) determining a therapeutic agent dispersion area from the contrast agent dispersion area, (f) marking the therapeutic agent dispersion area on the base image of the target site, and (g) repeating (b) through (f) until the target site is substantially covered with overlapping therapeutic agent dispersion areas corresponding to a plurality of injections at a plurality of injection locations at the target site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a balloon catheter. The invention comprises: a first shaft; an expandable balloon which is attached to the front end of the first shaft; an expandable lumen which is formed inside the first shaft and to which a liquid required for expanding the balloon is provided; a second shaft which extends from the front end of the first shaft to which the balloon is attached and has a wire hole through which a guide wire passes; and a guide wire lumen, which is formed inside the second shaft and through which the guide wire passes. According to the invention, the first and second shafts are coaxially connected and the expandable lumen and the guide wire lumen are respectively formed in each shaft in order to reduce the overall diameter of the shaft, thereby facilitating surgery and improving pushability.

Abstract: A microcatheter comprising a first flexible tubular body and a second flexible tubular body is disclosed. The first flexible tubular body defines a longitudinal axis, has a proximal end, a distal end and a first lumen extending at least partially therethrough. The second flexible tubular body extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis along at least a portion of its length and has a second lumen extending at least partially therethrough. The first lumen and the second lumen are coaxially disposed along at least a majority of the length of the second lumen. A distal end of the first lumen extends farther distally than a distal end of the second lumen by a distance x.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for replacing a first introducer, whose distal end is inside a vessel and whose proximal end is outside the skin of a patient, with a second introducer. The method comprises the steps of inserting a guide rod into the first introducer, removing the first introducer, passing the second introducer over the guide rod, and removing the guide rod. The guide rod to be used according to the method has preferably a flexible distal portion with a blunt distal end and a stiff proximal portion with a tapered proximal end.

Abstract: An endovascular device (1, 100, 200, 300) having a distal end (2), a proximal end (4) and a body portion (3) therebetween. The body portion is made of a multiple filament helically wound row (A) of wires (5), provided with a sealing coating (14) on the inside surface or the outside surface or both. The device may be a catheter (1), a sheath, an introducer, a delivery device, a pusher (100), an embolization coil delivery device (300), or a receptacle (208) for an expandable prosthesis (220) used with a delivery device (200). From 2 to 12, and preferably from 4 to 8, wires (5) are used in the row, and fewer wires may be used proceeding toward the distal end (2) for greater flexibility. The helically wound row of wires transmits torque and provides pushability to the device while resisting kinking, and enables a small outside diameter for reaching very small vessels and extending through very tortuous vessels.

Abstract: A system for remotely controlling the positioning within the body of a patient of an elongated medical device optionally having a control handle, comprises a robotic system and a remote controller configured to control the robotic device. The robotic system comprises a handle controller; a sled member coupled to the handle controller, the sled member being configured to position the medical device within the body of the patient; and a sled base configured to advance the sled member towards the body of a patient, the sled bed being coupled to a sterile barrier effective to maintain sterility inside the sled base. A medical device introducer is effective to guide the elongated medical device into a patient's body.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including a sensor for sensing a phase of cyclic activity of a subject's body system. A tool modulator includes a gate configured: in a first cycle of the cyclic activity, to allow movement of a tool, in response to the cyclic activity being at a first given phase thereof, following the given phase in the first cycle and prior to an occurrence of the given phase in a subsequent cycle of the cyclic activity, to inhibit the movement of the tool, and in a second cycle of the cyclic activity, subsequent to the inhibiting of the movement, to allow movement of the tool, in response to the second cycle of the cyclic activity being at the given phase thereof. An accumulation facilitator facilitates an accumulation of the tool in the tool modulator, and/or an accumulation of energy in the tool.

Abstract: An imaging method for enhanced visualization of vessels in an examination region of a patient, in particular during an intervention, is proposed. A 3D reconstruction image of the examination region is generated using a preoperatively recorded 3D image dataset of the examination region. At least one current 2D fluorescence image of the examination region is recorded by a fluorescence angiography. The vessels are identified. The 3D image dataset with the image dataset of the 2D fluorescence or ultrasound image is registered based on the result of the identification. The 3D reconstruction image and the 2D image are overplayed. The overlaid images are 3D played back.

Abstract: An apparatus for targeting a desired target site on a body tissue that separates a first body cavity from a second body cavity of a patient includes a catheter having a longitudinally extending catheter lumen and adapted to provide access to the first body cavity. A framing member has a collapsed condition in which the framing member is adapted for insertion into the first body cavity through the catheter lumen and an expanded condition in which the framing member is adapted for placement within the first body cavity. The framing member has a framing member body. At least one target point is carried by the framing member and is adapted for placement adjacent the desired target site. At least one target pathway is attached to at least one target point. At least a portion of the target pathway extends through the catheter lumen. The target pathway is substantially spaced apart from the framing member body. A method of using the apparatus is also described.

Abstract: A guide wire incorporating a handle that incorporates a handle at the proximal end of said guide wire, the handle incorporating a guide wire actuator slidably disposed upon an actuator rail, the guide wire actuator being affixed to the proximal end of the guide wire and a guard rail contained within the actuator rail that prevents buckling of the proximal end of the guide wire. The handle can be connected to a catheter device amalgamating the guide wire and the catheter, allowing the catheter and guide wire to be operated simultaneously while also enabling the guide wire to be advanced or torqued independently of the catheter device.

Abstract: A method generates a three dimensional (3D) model of a tubular organ having an occluded segment. The occluded segment adjoins a proximal segment at a proximal end thereof, and a distal segment at a distal end thereof. The procedures included injecting a first dye injection into the tubular organ, the first dye approaching a first end of the occluded segment. Multiple first-injection two-dimensional (2D) images of the tubular organ are acquired, each acquired from a different perspective, the first-injection 2D images further acquired with a respective organ timing signal reading. A second dye is injected into the tubular organ, the second dye approaching a second end of the occluded segment. Multiple second-injection 2D images are acquired of the tubular organ, each acquired from a different perspective, the second-injection 2D images further acquired with a respective organ timing signal reading.

Abstract: A catheterization device that may be designed by use of an adaptive genetic algorithm computational fluid dynamics approach, as well as other Global Optimization methods that may include simulated annealing, multistart and interval methods, continuous branch and bound methods, evolutionary algorithms, and tabu search and scatter search methods, as well as other available Global Optimization methods that is able to maximize/optimize the dwell time of an infused agent in the vicinity of a vascular lesion. The device may have an internal by-pass channel that allows the blood upstream of the lesion to continue its pulsatile flow through the vessel in the part of it occluded by the lesion, while simultaneously allowing the disbursement and maximal dwell time of an antithrombolytic or other diagnostic or therapeutic agent needed to treat the lesion.

Abstract: A biopsy needle has a central axis and includes one or more sensing regions, each sensing region formed by a plurality of sensing optical fibers located over a particular extent of said central axis and inside the outer shell of the needle. The sensing optical fibers are coupled to a wavelength interrogator. A steerable catheter has a central axis and outer shell, the outer shell coupled to a plurality of optical fibers in sensing regions and actuation regions, the sensing regions formed over particular extents of the central axis by bonding gratings to the inner surface of the outer shell, and the actuation regions formed by coupling optical energy into shape memory alloys bonded to the outer shell.

Abstract: A guidewire having flexible or floppy proximal and distal end portions is used for percutaneously accessing a branch vessel through a deployed prosthesis having at least one fenestration near an ostium of the branch vessel. The prosthesis is delivered and deployed via a first percutaneous access site. The guidewire extends over the outside surface of the deployed prosthesis and extends through the at least one fenestration. The flexible distal end portion is snared via a second percutaneous access site and is pulled in a direction towards the second percutaneous access site until the flexible proximal end of the guidewire is located adjacent to the branch vessel. A guide catheter is then advanced over the guidewire until it cannulates the branch vessel. The flexible proximal end of the guidewire may then be advanced into the branch vessel and used for delivery of a branch vessel prosthesis.

Abstract: A controller for use with a guidewire, such as a vascular guidewire, provides a mechanism for gripping and applying a torque to the guidewire without the need to thread the guidewire axially through the controller and at a location close to a point of access of the guidewire. In one embodiment, the controller includes a side-access, multi-part assembly including a collet or other gripping element that applies a uniform radially inward force on the guidewire. In another embodiment, for use with guidewires having active electrically controllable elements, the controller integrally or removably incorporates a switch or other mechanism to initiate an energized state. The controller thereby permits ergonomic, single-handed control of an electronically steerable guidewire, including axially displacing, torquing and steering the guidewire.

Abstract: A system and method for positioning a pill to be ingested by a user in a field of view of an image acquisition camera. The method includes the steps of determining a desired location of the mouth of a user in a field of view of an image acquisition camera, determining a current position of a pill to be ingested by the user in the field of view of the image acquisition apparatus, and indicating on a display a movement to be made by the user to move the pill towards mouth of the user.

Abstract: A catheter system adapted for navigating, guiding and implanting a catheter or a plurality of catheters in a spatially-defined implantation within the tissue of a patient is provided. The system can include a tissue navigation system and a probe to inform the navigation system to guide emplacement of the catheters within a target tissue. The probe can provide images, such as fiberoptic visual images, or ultrasound images, or can provide radiolocation data, to guide the catheter emplacement. The catheters supply a pressurized liquid including a bioactive agent, such as can be used in the treatment of cancer, for example 123I- or 125I-IUDR. The system and methods provided can be used in the treatment of locally advanced tumors, such as cancers of the brain, head or neck, esophagus, prostate, ovary, liver, pancreas, bladder or rectum.

Abstract: There is a sensor guide wire (1) for intravascular measurements of physiological variables in a living body. The sensor guide wire (1) comprises at least two elongate sections, a first tubular elongate section (2) being tubular in the longitudinal direction of the sensor guide wire (1), and a second elongate section (3) that is adapted to be inserted a predetermined distance (5) into said first tubular section (2), a sensor element (10) provided in the distal part of said sensor guide wire (1), for measuring the physiological variable and to generate a sensor signal in response to said variable, at least one signal transmitting cable connected to the sensor element (10) to transmit sensor signals to a male connector provided in the proximal part of said sensor guide wire (1).

Abstract: A catheter having an internal advancing mechanism that can advance stiffening wires or other devices, has a catheter with a catheter body, a tip section distal the catheter body, a device extending through at least the catheter body, and a control handle proximal the catheter body, where the control handle has an advancing mechanism with a threaded member, an adjustment member, and a guided member to which the device is connected, and the advancing mechanism is configured to advance and retract the device along the catheter body as controlled by a user. Each of the threaded member and the adjustment member has a generally cylindrical configuration. The threaded member has an outer surface configured with a helical guide channel. The adjustment member is configured to guide the guided member to move within the helical guide channel to advance and retract the device. The adjustment member can be rotatable over the threaded member by the user to control advancement and retraction of the device.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for manufacturing and using medical devices. An example medical device includes a core member, a tubular member coupled to the core member, and a tip member coupled to the tubular member. The tubular member may have a plurality of slots formed therein. The tip member may include a polymeric material. An intermediate member may be disposed between the tubular member and the core member that aids the bonding of the tip member thereto.

Abstract: A method, including constructing a simulated surface of a body cavity, and pressing a distal end of a probe against a wall of the body cavity. While pressing the distal end against the wall, position measurements are accepted from the probe indicating a position of the probe within the body cavity, and force measurements are accepted from the probe indicating a force between the distal end and the wall. A distortion in the simulated surface is created at the position indicated by the position measurements, so as to form a distorted surface, upon detecting that the force measurements exceed a predefined amount. The distorted surface is then displayed.

Abstract: A combination catheter enables performing an angiogram and an angioplasty (and repetitions of one or both) with the same catheter instrument, without removal from and re-insertion into an artery until the procedure is completed.

Abstract: A guide wire for medical treatment includes a straight-line shaped proximal section and a distal section which is continuous with the distal side of the proximal section and whose most distal portion faces toward the proximal direction. The distal section includes a curved portion continuous with the proximal section and a distal portion continuous with the distal side of the curved portion, the proximal section and at least a portion on the proximal side of the curved portion continuous with the proximal section are positioned on an identical plane, and the distal portion is extended toward a direction backing away from the plane and includes the most distal portion in a section of a direction to which the curved portion is curved with respect to an plane n an axis core of the proximal section orthogonal to the plane.

Abstract: Wire torque apparatus and methods for engaging a wire torque apparatus are disclosed. Wire insertion devices and methods for inserting a wire into a catheter are disclosed. An improved aneurysm clip utilizes non-metallic material. An improvement to an aneurysm clip applicator tool includes a power supply to power an electromagnet, an adjustable counter element that is attracted to the electromagnet when the electromagnet is magnetized, and a switch to disengage the electromagnet. When the electromagnet is magnetized and comes within a certain proximity to the counter element, the electromagnet and the counter element attract and cling to one another. They are released by activating a switch.

Abstract: A catheter assembly having a relatively stiff proximal portion bonded to a conformable distal portion with a first lumen extending through the proximal portion and through the distal portion. Also provided is a plurality of stylets each having a different preformed shape and each sized for insertion into the first lumen. Each stylet is effective to shape the distal end to a predetermined shape. Alternatively, the stylets may be received in a second lumen formed in a wall of the proximal portion and of the distal portion.

Abstract: A guide wire includes an elongate core section and a flexible member disposed on the distal end, the flexible member including a first wire wound into an inner helical coil in a first direction and a second wire wound into an outer helical coil wrapped about the first helical coil in the opposite direction. The two combined helical coils add stiffness and torque transmission to the guide wire without sacrificing tactile feedback.

Abstract: A color coding is applied to medical guide wires by coloring portions of the guide wire to distinguish similar guide wires and guide wire portions from a particular manufacturer. The metallic elongate core can be colored using various methods such as electrochemical processes, sputtering, electroplating, and laser inducing microstructures to alter the surface characteristics of the elongate metallic core. Alternatively, the outer layer of the guide wire can be color coded by using non-standard colors or by introducing a colored band on the guide wire.