There is described a pressure guidewire. It comprises a sensor housing and a sensor assembly embedded in the sensor housing and comprising a pressure sensor. There is a band to support the pressure sensor assembly, the band being embedded inside the sensor housing and fixed to the pressure sensor assembly for holding the pressure sensor inside the sensor housing.

Guidewires having conductive elements are described where in one variation, the guidewire may be formed by disposing an insulative layer upon a surface of the guidewire core, and printing one or more conductive traces directly upon a surface of the insulative layer.

One aspect provides a medical guidewire including a core wire extending from a proximal tip of a proximal end section to a distal tip of a distal end section. A polymer layer covers a perimeter surface of at least a portion of the distal end section, the polymer layer covering the distal tip and extending proximally to a proximal end portion defining a proximal edge. A strengthening feature is disposed about a perimeter surface of at least the core wire at the proximal end portion of the polymer layer, the strengthening feature beginning at a location proximally spaced from the proximal edge of the polymer layer and extending distally at least until the proximal edge of the polymer layer, the strengthening feature to prevent damage to the proximal end portion of the polymer layer.

A guidewire for backloading and inserting a percutaneous pump affixed to a cannula includes a proximal section made of a first material, with a first diameter, a rounded proximal end, and a distal end. The guidewire also includes a distal section made of a second material, with a second diameter which is greater than the first diameter, a distal end, and a proximal end abutting the distal end of the proximal section. The first material of the proximal section is selected to be softer than a material of the percutaneous pump to reduce damage to the pump during backloading. The distal section of the guidewire is configured to be stiffer than the proximal section to insert the percutaneous pump in a desired location without damaging the guidewire.

An elongate medical device is adapted to provide adjustable flexibility. The elongate medical device includes an inner coil having one or more inner coil filars extending in a first direction, and an outer coil having one or more outer filars extending in a second direction. A hypotube extends proximally from the inner coil and the outer coil. A cable extends through the inner coil and through the hypotube, where a distal end of the cable, a distal end of the inner coil and a distal end of the outer coil are all secured together at a distal end of the elongate medical device, such that applying a tensile force to the cable, relative to the hypotube, causes the inner coil and outer coil in combination to increase in stiffness.

Provided is a plasma guide wire including a core shaft, a coil, a tip, a coil-core shaft joining region, and first to third insulating resin tubes. The first insulating resin tube is disposed on the outer periphery of the coil, and extends proximally from the tip to beyond the coil-core shaft joining region. The second insulating resin tube is disposed on the outer periphery of the core shaft, is joined to the proximal end of the first insulating resin tube, and extends from the proximal end of the first insulating resin tube to the proximal side of the core shaft. The second insulating resin tube is harder than the first insulating resin tube. The third insulating resin tube is disposed on at least a portion of a region of the inner periphery of the first insulating resin tube, proximal to a location facing the proximal end of the coil.

Disclosed are example embodiments of a guidewire. The guidewire includes an elongated core with a proximal end, a distal end, and a length extending along a longitudinal axis therebetween, and a three-dimensional atraumatic tip disposed at the distal end of the elongated core. The three-dimensional atraumatic tip may include a spherical shaped coil of wire. The three-dimensional atraumatic tip may include an oblong shaped coil of wire. The three-dimensional atraumatic tip may include an umbrella shaped coil of wire.

Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes providing an intravascular device having a distal portion with a lumen extending therein; inserting the device into the vascular lumen; positioning the distal portion in the vascular wall; and directing the distal portion within the vascular wall.

Shapeable guide wire devices and methods for their manufacture. Guide wire devices include an elongate shaft member having a shapeable distal end section that is formed from a linear pseudoelastic nickel-titanium (Ni—Ti) alloy that has linear pseudoelastic behavior without a phase transformation or onset of stress-induced martensite. Linear pseudoelastic Ni—Ti alloy, which is distinct from non-linear pseudoelastic (i.e., superelastic) Ni—Ti alloy, is highly durable, corrosion resistant, and has high stiffness. The shapeable distal end section is shapeable by a user to facilitate guiding the guide wire through tortuous anatomy. In addition, linear pseudoelastic Ni—Ti alloy is more durable tip material than other shapeable tip materials such as stainless steel.

Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices include at least one electronic, optical, or electro-optical component positioned within a distal portion of the device and one or more connectors positioned at a distal portion of the device. In some instances, the connectors are flexible coils, such as a ribbon coil, formed of a conductive material. In some particular instances, the conductive coil is embedded within a polymer tubing. Further, in some embodiments the electronic, optical, or electro-optical component is positioned within a flexible element at the distal portion of the device. In some instances the flexible element is a coil. Methods of making and/or assembling such intravascular devices/systems are also provided.