Steerable guide wire

Abstract

A steerable guide wire for use in a medical procedure, such as coronary angioplasty, which requires positioning a catheter or other device at a remote location within the body by way of the cardiovascular system or other passage way. The guide wire has a solid core wire which runs the entire length. The distal end of the core wire is tapered to an intermediate diameter to permit insertion into a short flexible coil, or a combination of a flat wire coil and round wire coil attach to each other at a brazed joint. The flexible coil has an outside diameter approximately equal to the outside diameter of the core wire proximal to the taper. The proximal end of the flexible coil is fixedly attached to the taper. The distal tip of the core wire is further tapered and optionally flattened to enhance the handling characteristics as well as flexibility. The distal tip of the core wire and a flexible round wire coil are coextensive, and attached distally to form a smooth tip for the guide wire. The entire guide wire can be coated with a polymer or other suitable material to control, and reduce friction over the length of the guide wire.