Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

Using a variable stiffness guidewire to cross a stenosed region of a patient's vasculature by advancing the distal end of the guidewire to the stenosed region, reducing the flexibility of the distal end of the guidewire, and further advancing the distal end through and past the stenosed region of the lumen. The variable stiffness guidewire has a longitudinally movable core member with a proximal end and a shapable distal end, a compressible body is slidably mounted on the core member, with one end of the compressible body secured to the end of the core member, and a tubular support member is disposed about the core member with a distal end that abuts the proximal end of the compressible body. The guidewire further comprises a tensioning means at the proximal end to move the core member longitudinally with respect to the tubular support member so as to compress and reduce the flexibility of the compressible body.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim