Other

Allan G Adelman

John D Unsworth

Thomas C Waram

A system for guiding devices or materials into body lumens includes a guidewire made of a shape memory alloy (SMA) or other shape memory material and having a lumen; an energy guide, preferably an optical fiber, received in the lumen; and a catheter or device slidably attached to the guidewire. The guidewire has a memorized shape and is in a martensitic (deformable) state during insertion into the body lumen. During or after insertion of the guidewire into the body lumen, the energy guide produces localized heating of the inner surface of the distal end of the guidewire, to cause the guidewire to at least partially recover its memorized shape, thereby selectively changing the shape, radii of curves, and rigidity of part or all of the guidewire. This selective shaping of the guidewire reduces fouling and facilitates delivery of devices along the guidewire.

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Toronto, Canada

Allan G Adelman