Patent ID: 7455660

Claim:
A guidewire straightener assembly comprising: a guidewire tube including: a tubular passage sized to accept a guidewire and having a distal end; and wherein the guidewire tube includes a collar at its distal end, wherein the collar comprises a longitudinal opening having a diameter larger than the diameter of a guidewire straightener proximal end, the guidewire straightener including: a distal end; a proximal end having an exterior surface sized to fit within the guidewire tube distal end wherein the proximal end of the guidewire straightener further includes a biasing member with at least one finger extending proximal from the proximal end to enter the guidewire tube distal end; and a longitudinal passageway having a diameter sized to accept the guidewire, the passageway extending between the proximal end and the distal end; and a guidewire disposed within the tubular passage and the longitudinal passageway; such that, when the guidewire straightener proximal end is disposed within the guidewire tube in a first position in the tubular passage, the at least one finger is biased by the tubular passage into frictional engagement with the guidewire, and, when the guidewire straightener proximal end is disposed in a second, more distal position with respect to the guidewire tube, the at least one finger is disposed within the guidewire tube distal end, and away from frictional engagement with the guidewire.