Guide wire with soldered multilayer coil member

Abstract

A guide wire includes an elongate core section and a flexible member disposed on the distal end, the flexible member including a first wire wound into an inner helical coil in a first direction and a second wire wound into an outer helical coil wrapped about the first helical coil in the opposite direction. The two combined helical coils add stiffness and torque transmission to the guide wire without sacrificing tactile feedback.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A guide wire for use in a medical procedure, comprising:
 an elongate flexible member having a distal end and a proximal end, the flexible member comprising a first wire wound into an inner hollow helical coil in a first direction and a second wire wound into an outer helical coil in a second direction about the inner helical coil; and   the outer helical coil having a tapered portion.   
     
     
         15 . The guide wire of  claim 14 , wherein the outer helical coil is shaved to form the tapered portion. 
     
     
         16 . The guide wire of  claim 15 , wherein the tapered portion extends from the proximal end toward the distal end so that the distal end is more flexible than the proximal end. 
     
     
         17 . The guide wire of  claim 16 , wherein the outer helical coil has an outer surface that is shaved to form the tapered portion.