Patent ID: 7715903

Claim:
A guide wire to assist percutaneous endovascular deployment within a thoracic arch region of an aorta, the guide wire having zones of varying stiffness comprising: a proximal end and a distal end; a proximal zone adjacent the proximal end and having a semi-stiff proximal portion, a distal portion of high-stiffness, and a transition portion transitioning from the semi stiffness of the proximal portion to the high stiffness of the distal portion, the proximal zone having a length of from 5 cm to 20 cm; an elongate central zone of high stiffness adjacent to the proximal zone having a substantially constant diameter along its length; a distal zone adjacent to the high stiffness central zone and having a proximal portion of high-stiffness adjacent to the distal portion of the central zone and transitioning to a distal portion of highest flexibility wherein the distal zone comprises a first pre-formed curve with a radius of curvature of from 5 cm to 15 cm and being comprised of three zones: a semi stiff zone having a proximal portion abutting, and having a stiffness equivalent to the distal portion of the central zone transitioning to a distal portion of semi-stiffness; a transition zone having a semi-stiff proximal portion adjacent to the distal portion of the semi stiff zone transitioning to a flexible distal portion; and a flexible zone having a flexible proximal portion adjacent to the distal portion of the transition zone transitioning to a distal portion of least stiffness and highest flexibility having an atraumatic and highly flexible pre-formed tip curve having a single direction of curvature with a radius of curvature of from 5 to 20 mm, the high flexibility and the direction and radius of curvature being selected so that the tip curve can contact the aortic valve without penetrating or causing damage to the valve and a coil extending from the semi-stiff zone to a distal portion of the distal zone.