Importance

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Abstract

A guidewire for use with a catheter has varying radiopacity in its distal end. In one embodiment the guidewire includes a shaft having an outer helical coil attached to the distal region of the shaft, the coil extending distally beyond the distal end of the shaft and terminating in a tip weld. A smaller diameter inner helical coil is disposed within the outer coil and is attached at its proximal end to the distal end of the shaft and at its distal end to the tip weld. The inner coil is formed from a highly radiopaque material. The portion of the shaft contained within the outer coil is plated thinly with a highly radiopaque material. When viewed under fluoroscopy, the highly radiopaque coil will define a dark image whereas the more proximal plated portion of the shaft will define a moderately radiopaque image. In other embodiments, the coil at the distal end of the catheter is variously electroplated to provide regions of high radiopacity, moderate radiopacity and relatively no radiopacity.

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First Claim