Laser-assisted guidewire having a variable stiffness shaft

An optical guidewire system, comprising:

• a hypotube including a proximal end segment, a distal end segment, a proximal end and a distal end;
• a plug arranged within the distal end segment of the hypotube, the plug including
• a distal end having a distal face configured in plane that is approximately the same as the distal end of the hypotube;
• and
• a plurality of optical fibers disposed within the hypotube, wherein each of the plurality of optical fibers has a portion extending into a portion of the plug and each of the plurality of optical fibers terminates at the distal end of the plug,
• wherein the plug surrounds at least a portion of the plurality of optical fibers and couples the plurality of optical fibers to the distal end segment of the hypotube,
• wherein the distal end segment of the hypotube comprises an outer surface having a plurality of openings,
• wherein the outer surface comprises a first series of hoops and braces and a second series of hoops and braces, wherein the first series of hoops and braces and the second series of hoops and braces each comprise at least two circumferentially oriented hoops and longitudinally oriented braces, wherein the at least two braces are coupled to the at least two hoops.