Anatomical guide wire

A method for removing a stenosis from a coronary artery of a patient which comprises the steps of:

• positioning a guiding catheter into the aorta of the patient;
• inserting a guide wire having an anatomically shaped distal non-straight portion through said guiding catheter, said distal portion being shaped to conform to a segment of an arterial pathway when said distal portion is in an unstressed state, said distal portion of said guide wire being extendable from said guiding catheter to position said distal portion of said guide wire in said coronary artery and against said stenosis;
• withdrawing said guiding catheter from the patient;
• advancing an atherectomy cutter over said prepositioned guide wire and into contact with said stenosis in said coronary artery for removal of said stenosis by operation of the cutter;
• withdrawing said atherectomy cutter from the patient;
• repositioning said guiding catheter in the aorta of the patient;
• retrieving said guide wire from the patient through said guiding catheter;
• and
• removing said guiding catheter from the patient.

A method for removing a guide wire from a coronary artery to prevent binding or snagging of the guide wire during withdrawal of the guide wire through the artery, the guide wire having a preformed non-straight distal portion which, in an unstressed state, is shaped to specifically conform to a segment of the arterial pathway, the method comprising the steps of:

• advancing a guiding catheter along said guide wire to establish a path in the artery, said path providing means for isolating the artery from stress forces developed in said distal portion during withdrawal of said guide wire from the artery through said guiding catheter;
• withdrawing said guide wire through said guiding catheter;
• and
• removing said guiding catheter from the artery.