| abstract |
This is a surgical instrument. It is a guidewire made of a stainless steel alloy core which is coated with a non-hydrophilic lubricious polymer on the majority of its length located proximally and a hydrophilic polymer located at the majority of the remaining distal length of the guidewire. Preferably, the guidewire has a polymeric tie layer located between the metallic core of the guidewire assembly and the hydrophilic polymeric layer. The metallic core is one of a number of stainless steels so to preserve its torque transmitting capabilities. Desirably the outside diameter of the guidewire is constant from the distal end to the proximal end. The metallic core may be tapered at appropriate locations along the guidewire assembly. |