GUIDE WIRE

摘要

A guide wire includes a first wire disposed on the distal side, and a second wire disposed on the proximal side and made from a material having an elastic modulus larger than that of the first wire. The first wire and the second wire are joined to each other by welding. The second wire has, in the vicinity of the welded portion, a small cross-sectional area portion having a cross-sectional area smaller than that of a proximal end portion of the first wire. The outer diameter of the small cross-sectional area portion is gradually reduced in the direction toward the distal end. The first wire may be made from a superelastic alloy, whereas the second wire may be made from a stainless steel. The first wire and the second wire may be welded to each other by a butt resistance welding process. Since the change in rigidity of the guide wire becomes smooth in the longitudinal direction, the operationality and kink resistance of the guide wire are improved.

主权项

1. A guide wire comprising:
a first wire disposed on the distal side of said guide wire; and a second wire disposed on the proximal side from said first wire, said second wire being made from a material having an elastic modulus larger than that of said first wire; wherein said first wire and second wire are joined to each other by welding; and said second wire has, in the vicinity of a welded portion between said first wire and said second wire, a small cross-sectional area portion having a cross-sectional area smaller than a cross-sectional area of a proximal end portion of said first wire, and said cross-sectional area of said second wire has a portion flexural rigidity of which is equal to a flexural rigidity of the proximal end of said first wire.