Importance

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Abstract

A steering device (2) for directing passage of a remote portion of an elongated member (4) such as a catheter guidewire, fiber optic bundle or the like, preferably a guidewire for use in percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. The steering device (2) includes a releasable gripping mechanism for releasably gripping a proximate portion of the elongated member (4). The gripping mechanism includes opposing gripping surfaces (30a) and (30b) which cooperate to grip the proximate portion of the elongated member (4) therebetween when said gripping mechanism is manipulated by the exertion of force so that the device (2) is in a gripping position and the device (2) grips the elongated member (4). The elongated member (4) can be inserted laterally into the device (2). A preferred embodiment (2') includes a living hinge (68) which biases the preferred steering device (2') to a partially open position wherein the wire (4') can be laterally inserted or removed from the device (2'). Methods of using the same are also claimed.

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First Claim