Vascular guidewire for magnetic resonance and /or fluoroscopy

A medical guidewire for use in intravascular medical procedures and having proximal and distal ends, comprising:

• a relatively long, thin core extending for substantially the length of the guidewire, the core being made of a glass having a high specific electric impedance;
• a polymer sheath surrounding the core;
• at least one marker affixed to the core and positioned near a distal end of the guidewire, wherein the marker is visible under magnetic resonance due to susceptibility-induced magnetic field inhomogeneity;
• and the markers all being surrounded by the tubular sheath, such that no portion of a marker is exposed to an exterior surface of the guidewire;
• and
• wherein the guidewire is formed entirely of non-metallic materials.

A medical guidewire for use in intravascular medical procedures and having proximal and distal ends, comprising:

• a relatively long, flexible tubular sheath extending for substantially the length of the guidewire, the sheath being made of a polymer material having a high specific electric impedance;
• with proximal and distal ends of the tubular sheath being sealed shut;
• a proximal portion of, the guidewire having a constant outer dimension, and a distal portion of the guidewire transitioning to a smaller outer dimension at the distal tip of the guidewire;
• and
• at least one pair of two markers positioned near the distal end of the guidewire, the markers all being surrounded by the tubular sheath, such that no portion of a marker is exposed to an exterior surface of the guidewire;
• the guidewire being compatible with use in both magnetic resonance and x-ray fluoroscopy environments, one of each pair of markers being visible under magnetic resonance, and the other of each pair of markers being visible under x-ray fluoroscopy;
• wherein the marker is visible under magnetic resonance due to susceptibility-induced magnetic field inhomogeneity;
• and wherein the guidewire is formed entirely of non-metallic materials.