Guidewires, Catheters, And Sheaths
Guidewires, Catheters, And Sheaths
Exam Study Guide 2024
Describe the basic construction of guidewires.
Definition
There are 3 Main types of Guidewires.
Name them.
1. Access Wires
2. Maneuver Wires
3. Rail Wires
Describe the basic construction of an Access guidewire
1. They tend to be short
2. They have a floppy/flexible tip in order to be as atraumatic to internal structures as
possible
Describe performance parameters of a guidewire
Definition
What are guidewire CORES usually made of?
Either Stainless Steel or Nitinol
Name 5 Standard Performance Characteristics of a Guidewire
1. Flexibility
2. Trackability
3. Torque Transmission
4. Support
5. Stiffness
Guidewires, Catheters, And Sheaths
, Guidewires, Catheters, And Sheaths
Guidewires are typically made of 4 Components.
Name them.
1. Core
2. Outer Coating
3. Presence or absence of polymer jacket or cover
4. Wire Tip
Define FLEXIBILITY as it relates to a guidewire
Flexibility: the ability of the wire to bend when direct pressure is applied to the wire tip.
Often, the end of the wire tip is wrapped in a ribbon of flexible metal.
Why is this done?
To make the tips MORE FLEXIBLE and ATRAUMATIC
Tip (Spring) Coils provide what to the physician?
More tactile feedback
One drawback to a Tip Coil design is what?
Tip Coils increase the amount of friction, making them MORE difficult to navigate in
tortuous vessels
The design of a Tip Coil helps determine WHAT about a guidewire?
TORQUEABILITY and CROSSABILITY
One recent innovation tip technology is the use of a MICRO-CUT Nitinol sleeve.
What is the advantage of this design?
This construction allows the majority of the TORQUE to be transmitted by the SLEEVE,
rather than the core.
What does the addition of a POLYMER COATING do to a Guidewire?
Makes them more HYDROPHILIC or HYDROPHOBIC
Guidewires, Catheters, And Sheaths
Guidewires, Catheters, And Sheaths
Exam Study Guide 2024
Describe the basic construction of guidewires.
Definition
There are 3 Main types of Guidewires.
Name them.
1. Access Wires
2. Maneuver Wires
3. Rail Wires
Describe the basic construction of an Access guidewire
1. They tend to be short
2. They have a floppy/flexible tip in order to be as atraumatic to internal structures as
possible
Describe performance parameters of a guidewire
Definition
What are guidewire CORES usually made of?
Either Stainless Steel or Nitinol
Name 5 Standard Performance Characteristics of a Guidewire
1. Flexibility
2. Trackability
3. Torque Transmission
4. Support
5. Stiffness
Guidewires, Catheters, And Sheaths
, Guidewires, Catheters, And Sheaths
Guidewires are typically made of 4 Components.
Name them.
1. Core
2. Outer Coating
3. Presence or absence of polymer jacket or cover
4. Wire Tip
Define FLEXIBILITY as it relates to a guidewire
Flexibility: the ability of the wire to bend when direct pressure is applied to the wire tip.
Often, the end of the wire tip is wrapped in a ribbon of flexible metal.
Why is this done?
To make the tips MORE FLEXIBLE and ATRAUMATIC
Tip (Spring) Coils provide what to the physician?
More tactile feedback
One drawback to a Tip Coil design is what?
Tip Coils increase the amount of friction, making them MORE difficult to navigate in
tortuous vessels
The design of a Tip Coil helps determine WHAT about a guidewire?
TORQUEABILITY and CROSSABILITY
One recent innovation tip technology is the use of a MICRO-CUT Nitinol sleeve.
What is the advantage of this design?
This construction allows the majority of the TORQUE to be transmitted by the SLEEVE,
rather than the core.
What does the addition of a POLYMER COATING do to a Guidewire?
Makes them more HYDROPHILIC or HYDROPHOBIC
Guidewires, Catheters, And Sheaths
