Guide Wire For Use In Re-Canalising A Vascular Occlusion In A Human Or Animal Subject

摘要

A guide wire ( 1 ) for re-canalising a vascular occlusion comprises a core wire ( 5 ) which terminates at its distal end ( 4 ) in a terminal member ( 7 ) for opening the occlusion. A helical coil sleeve ( 10 ) extends around the core wire ( 5 ) from the terminal member ( 7 ) to a location ( 11 ) along the core wire ( 5 ). The terminal member ( 7 ) defines first and second planar surface portions ( 13,14 ) which converge towards a distal transversely extending leading edge portion ( 8 ). As the terminal member ( 7 ) is urged through the vascular occlusion, the first and second surface portions ( 13,14 ) act on the occlusion to form an opening therethrough. A distal portion ( 28 ) of the core wire ( 5 ) is of spade-like configuration for facilitating bending thereof for directing the terminal member ( 7 ) out of a central major plane ( 35 ) defined by the distal portion ( 28 ) for facilitating aligning of the terminal member ( 7 ) with a branched vessel of the vascular system.