Patent ID: 7780630

Claim:
A perfusion guidewire for use in crossing an occlusion within a blood vessel of the body of a patient, the guidewire comprising: an elongate core member having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a longitudinal axis; and a collapsible sheath having a lumen therethrough, the sheath formed of a polymeric material, the sheath tightly wrapped around at least the distal portion of the elongate core member such that the wrapped sheath is folded upon itself, forming a plurality of layers of material in a radial direction from the longitudinal axis of the elongate core member, wherein the wrapped sheath is expandable to a larger diameter upon the introduction of pressurized fluid through the lumen such that the elongate core member is detached from and exterior to the sheath; wherein the wrapped sheath is wrapped about the elongate core member such that the wrapped sheath and elongate core member travel as a unit during navigation within the blood vessel of the body of the patient; and wherein the proximal portion of the elongate core member is positioned exterior to the lumen of the collapsible sheath and extends alongside the sheath.