Patent ID: 8876848

Claim:
In combination: a) a dilator comprising: a tubular body with a length, an internal passage, and proximal and distal ends spaced in a lengthwise direction; and b) an elongate guide wire having a length and capable of being received in, and movable in a lengthwise direction within, the internal passage with the dilator and guide wire in operative relationship, wherein the tubular body is made from at least first and second different materials, the first material being more flexible than the second material, wherein the tubular body has a tapered length at the distal end of the tubular body, the tapered length has a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, the second portion is between the first and third portions and made from the first material, the first portion is made from the second material, and the third portion is made from a material that is less flexible than the first material, wherein the tapered length allows a limited predetermined degree of bending to conform to a curved guide wire shape.