Patent ID: 7621880

Claim:
An elongate wire guide comprising: a distal portion having a distal end having a first angle for insertion into a patient; a proximal portion having a proximal end having a second angle, different from the first angle, for insertion into the patient, wherein the distal portion and the proximal portion are adapted to be independently inserted into the patient based on the angle that is particularly suited for a procedure or a portion of a procedure being performed; an intermediate portion between the distal portion and the proximal portion; wherein the wire guide comprises an inner superelastic core and an outer covering; wherein a stiffness of the distal portion and a stiffness of the proximal portion are each less than a stiffness of the intermediate portion; wherein the distal end and the proximal end each resist deformation and have an original, unstressed shape to which they return upon removal of a deforming stress; wherein the inner core of at least one of the distal portion, the proximal portion, and the intermediate portion is heat treated to affect, alter, or change the stiffness of the respective one of the distal portion, the proximal portion, and the intermediate portion; wherein the inner core distal portion has at least a first and a second diameter, the second diameter being closer to the distal end and less than the first diameter; the inner core proximal portion has at least a first and second diameter, the second diameter being closer to the proximal end and less than the first diameter; and wherein at least one of the distal portion or the proximal portion further comprises a coil spring.