Innovative Guidewire Uses Remote Controlled Flexible tip

A new steerable guidewire possesses a tip that can be remotely manipulated to bend upon demand, allowing more control when navigating through difficult vasculature.

Developed by Computer Vision Systems Laboratories (CVSL; Boca Raton, FL, USA), the novel guidewire is made of a super elastic 0.15 mm nickel titanium (NiTi) wire, coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, Teflon). The distal end of the wire includes a coiled spring, one side of which is filled with a coating plastic material, while the other remains unfilled. Since the coils near the tip are spread apart, pulling the wire bends the tip of the coiled springs towards the unfilled section. Spreading the spring coils apart, by pushing the handle in the proximal end, allows the guidewire to straighten out again.


The tip can bend from 0 to over 180 degrees using simple fingertip control, and can be used with various conventional torque devices. This is especially important for the physician when attempting to negotiate a bifurcation. Since the diameter of all guidewires is very small, and the area is slippery with blood, directing the tip of conventional guidewire to the desired angle is often difficult, time consuming, and potentially harmful to the patient.

“The device works so well that it has exceeded my expectations. I believe it is the only maneuverable guidewire of its type in the industry,” said Thomas DiCicco, CEO of CVSL. “We have a video of the device in action on our web site.”

Related Links:
Computer Vision Systems Laboratories