Importance

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Abstract

A rotatable intravascular apparatus having a flexible, elongated medical device and a mechanism for controlling the rotational orientation of the distal end of the medical device. The apparatus includes a flexible torquing sheath extending along a substantial length of the elongated medical device. The distal end of the torquing sheath is secured to the distal portion of the medical device, but not to the intermediate or proximal portions of the medical device, so that rotation of the proximal end of the torquing sheath with respect to the proximal portion of the medical device conveys torque to the distal end of the torquing sheath and, therefore, to the distal portion of the medical device, thereby rotating the distal portion of the medical device. By holding the proximal portion of the medical device and preventing the proximal portion from rotating while the distal portion is rotated by the torquing sheath, a certain amount of torque is built up along the length of the medical device; this torque tends to resist rotation of the distal portion of the medical device, and therefore provides a force which resists or dampens the tendency of the distal portion of the elongated medical device to 'whip' when the torquing sheath is rotated. In a preferred embodiment the medical device is a guide wire, the torquing sheath being removable after the guide wire has been advanced, with the aid of the torquing sheath, to a location of interest.

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First Claim