A rigidizing device includes an elongate flexible tube, a braid layer positioned over the elongate flexible tube, an outer layer over the flexible tube and the braid layer, and an inlet between the elongate flexible tube and the outer layer and configured to attach to a source of vacuum or pressure. The braid layer has a plurality of strands braided together at a braid angle of 5-40 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate flexible tube when the elongate flexible tube is straight. The rigidizing device is configured to have a rigid configuration when vacuum or pressure is applied through the inlet and a flexible configuration when vacuum or pressure is not applied through the inlet. The braid angle is configured to change as the rigidizing device bends when the rigidizing device is in the flexible configuration.

A rigidizing device includes an elongate flexible tube, a braid layer positioned over the elongate flexible tube, an outer layer over the flexible tube and the braid layer, and an inlet between the elongate flexible tube and the outer layer and configured to attach to a source of vacuum or pressure. The braid layer has a plurality of strands braided together at a braid angle of 5-40 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate flexible tube when the elongate flexible tube is straight. The rigidizing device is configured to have a rigid configuration when vacuum or pressure is applied through the inlet and a flexible configuration when vacuum or pressure is not applied through the inlet. The braid angle is configured to change as the rigidizing device bends when the rigidizing device is in the flexible configuration.

The present disclosure provides a guide wire system comprising (a) a guide wire having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the guide wire comprises a superelastic material, (b) a first connector coupled to the proximal end of the guide wire, (c) a second connector coupled to the guide wire between the distal end and the proximal end, (d) an electromagnetic sensor coupled to the distal end of the guide wire, and (e) a polymeric tube surrounding the guide wire and at least a portion of the electromagnetic sensor.

A guide wire of the present disclosure includes a core shaft having a distal end portion decreasing in cross-sectional area, a coil body wound to cover the distal end portion, and a distal end fixing portion fixing the core shaft and the coil body to each other. The distal end portion includes a small cross-sectional area portion, a large cross-sectional area portion, and a tapered portion between the small cross-sectional area portion and the large cross-sectional area portion. The core shaft and the coil body are fixed at a portion excluding the tapered portion. A first bending rigidity FR1 of the large cross-sectional area portion, a second bending rigidity FR2 of the small cross-sectional area portion, and a length L of the tapered portion satisfy the following expressions (1) and (2). In the following expressions (1) and (2), the unit of L is mm (millimeter).
(FR1/FR2).sup.0.25/L≥0.83  (1)
1≤L≤3  (2)

A guide wire of the present disclosure includes a core shaft having a distal end portion decreasing in diameter, a coil body wound to cover the distal end portion, and a distal end fixing portion fixing the core shaft and the coil body to each other. The distal end portion includes a small diameter portion, a large diameter portion, and a tapered portion between the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion. The core shaft and the coil body are fixed at a portion excluding the tapered portion. A first bending rigidity FR1 of the large diameter portion, a second bending rigidity FR2 of the small diameter portion, and a length L of the tapered portion satisfy the following expressions (1) and (2). In the following expressions (1) and (2), the unit of L is mm (millimeter).

A guide wire of the present disclosure includes a core shaft having a distal end portion decreasing in cross-sectional area, a coil body wound to cover the distal end portion, and a distal end fixing portion fixing the core shaft and the coil body to each other. The distal end portion includes a small cross-sectional area portion, a large cross-sectional area portion, and a tapered portion between the small cross-sectional area portion and the large cross-sectional area portion. The core shaft and the coil body are fixed at a portion excluding the tapered portion. A first bending rigidity FR1 of the large cross-sectional area portion, a second bending rigidity FR2 of the small cross-sectional area portion, and a length L of the tapered portion satisfy the following expressions (1) and (2). In the following expressions (1) and (2), the unit of L is mm (millimeter).

(FR1/FR2).sup.0.25/L≥0.83   (1)

1≤L≤3   (2)

A rotation transmission structure includes a coil body formed by winding wires, and a reinforcing body for connecting adjacent wires of the coil body. When the wires of the coil body are connected to one another by the reinforcing body, the rigidity of a predetermined region of the rotation transmission structure in the longitudinal direction is lower than the rigidity of another region of the rotation transmission structure.

An apparatus includes a tube configured for insertion into a body of a subject, the tube comprising a plurality of strips, which are angled obliquely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tube, by virtue of the tube being shaped to define a plurality of slits having respective oblique proximal ends and respective oblique distal ends. The distal end of each of the slits is nested between the proximal end of a first other one of the slits and the proximal end of a second other one of the slits such that (i) one of the strips is disposed between the distal end of the slit and the proximal end of the first other one of the slits, and (ii) another one of the strips is disposed between the distal end of the slit and the proximal end of the second other one of the slits.

Disclosed are guidewire and catheter systems that can be used to facilitate desirable catheter axial response (e.g., pushability) over a guidewire for advancement through patient vasculature. Features of the guidewire and catheter systems enable the catheter to advance over the guidewire within the tortuous paths of a patient's vasculature in response to push forces that do not exceed 50 g.

An access guidewire has a distal portion including a distal portion length and a distal portion diameter. The guidewire also includes an intermediate portion, proximal to the distal portion, having an intermediate portion length and an intermediate portion diameter. A proximal portion is proximal of the intermediate portion and includes a proximal portion length and a proximal portion diameter. The intermediate portion diameter is greater than the the distal portion diameter and the proximal portion diameter.