COMPOSITE GUIDEWIRE

摘要

Alternative designs, materials and manufacturing methods for guidewires. Some embodiments pertain to a composite guidewire having proximal (14) and distal (16) section, and a connector (18) adapted and configured for permanently joining the proximal section (14) to the distal section (16). In some embodiments, at least one of the sections (16) is made of a linear-elastic nickel-titanium alloy. Several alternative guidewire tip designs including coiled safety/shaping structures are also disclosed.