Angioplasty guidewires

Overview

Guidewires are advanced medical tools specifically designed to facilitate angioplasty procedures and open blocked arteries. These devices play a critical role in clearing arterial obstructions and restoring normal blood flow. Angioplasty is a medical procedure similar to angiography, in which a specialized wire is used to resolve arterial blockages. During the process, the guidewire is inserted into the artery through its entry point, and its movements are entirely controlled externally. By maneuvering the wire through narrowed sections of the artery, it effectively removes obstructions and allows blood vessels to regain their normal function.

Features and Components of Guidewires Guidewires are categorized based on their structure and components:

• Core Material:
  • Nitinol: Provides high flexibility, resistance to twisting, and the ability to retain its shape, but it has limited formability.
  • Stainless Steel: Offers precision and is ideal for accessing lesion sites. A combination of both materials is often employed, such as using a stainless steel core for rigidity and a nitinol tip for enhanced flexibility.
• Core Diameter: Common sizes include 0.014, 0.018, and 0.035 inches.
• Tip Design: The distance between the core and the tip, as well as the gradient of tapering, is crucial for accessing arterial branches.
• Distal Section: The spring coil in this section provides additional flexibility to the guidewire tip, but it increases friction. A polymer coating is applied over the spring coil to minimize friction and enable smoother navigation.
• Surface Coating:
  • Hydrophilic Coating: Reduces resistance, allowing the guidewire to move smoothly through arteries; however, it decreases tactile feedback.
  • Hydrophobic Coating: Materials such as PTFE or silicone enhance control and preserve tactile sensation, striking a balance between ease of movement and feedback.