| abstract |
A guidewire (10,42) for use in endovascular electrothrombosis in combination with a microcatheter (44), the guidewire comprising:n a core wire having a main body (12,16;32) and a distal portion (18,26;36,46); and a coil (28,56) coupled to said main body (12,16,32) via said distal portion (18,26,36,46) and comprised of material not susceptible to electrolytic disintegration in blood, said coil (28,56) containing no internal reinforcement and being for endovascular insertion within a vascular cavity; n wherein said distal portion (18,26,36,46) is susceptible to electrolytic disintegration in blood whereby, on the application of current to the guidewire (10,42) when said coil (28,56) is disposed in the vascular cavity, endovascular electrothrombosis can be performed and at least one portion of said distal portion (18,26,36,46) electrolytically disintegrated to detach said coil (28,56) from said main body (12,16,32). |