Helical guidewire

A torque-transmitting medical guidewire comprising:

• a shaft with a distal end and a proximal end;
• a helical wire having a proximal end and a distal end constructed from a generally flat, rectangular member having an edge, twisted around the wire's longitudinal axis so that the edge forms a helix such that torque applied to the wire at the proximal end is transmitted to the distal end, the proximal end of the helical wire being fixedly mounted to the distal end of the shaft;
• and
• a coil surrounding the helical wire, the coil having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end of the coil being fixedly mounted near the distal end of the shaft proximal to the helical wire.

A torque-transmitting medical apparatus comprising:

• a helical wire having a proximal end and a distal end constructed from a generally flat, rectangular member having an edge, twisted around the wire's longitudinal axis so that the edge forms a helix such that torque applied to the wire at the proximal end is transmitted to the distal end, the distal end of the helical wire having a flat section;
• a coil surrounding the helical wire, the coil having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end of the coil being fixedly mounted to the proximal end of the helical wire;
• a plastic sheath encasing the coil and defining a lumen which is in fluid communication with a balloon;
• the balloon mounted to the sheath near the distal end of the helical wire;
• and
• a round tip member fixedly attached to the distal end of the helical wire with the distal end of the coil being fixedly mounted to the tip member.

A torque-transmitting medical guidewire comprising:

• a shaft with a distal end and a proximal end, the shaft having a narrowed distal end;
• a sleeve mounted over the narrowed distal end of the shaft;
• a helical wire having a proximal end and a distal end constructed from a generally flat, rectangular member having an edge, twisted around the wire's longitudinal axis so that the edge forms a helix such that torque applied to the wire at the proximal end is transmitted to the distal end, the proximal end of the helical wire being fixedly mounted to the sleeve;
• and
• a coil surrounding the helical wire, the coil having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end of the coil being fixedly mounted to the sleeve.

A torque-transmitting medical guidewire comprising:

• a shaft comprised of hollow tube with a distal end and a proximal end and having a lumen therethrough;
• a helical wire having a proximal end and a distal end, the helical wire constructed from a generally flat, rectangular member having an edge, twisted around the wire's longitudinal axis so that the edge forms a helix such that torque applied to the wire at the proximal end is transmitted to the distal end, the proximal end of the helical wire being fixedly mounted within the lumen of the shaft;
• and
• a coil surrounding the helical wire, the coil having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end of the coil being fixedly mounted to the shaft.