<p>A composite wire guide (10) is formed from a more flexible distal wire guide (16) and stiffer proximal wire guide (12). The flexible and stiff wire guides are joined by a connector (24) that is tapered to provide a smooth transition between the distal and proximal portions. In other embodiments, wire guides may be joined by a joining ring, which may have a cross-section that is uniform, stepped, or tapered.</p>
