Patent ID: 8444577

Claim:
A guide wire ( 10 ) for guiding a medical device within a body lumen, comprising: a proximal section ( 11 ) including a proximal wire core ( 111 ) formed of a first material and having a proximal end ( 112 ) and a distal end ( 113 ), said proximal wire core ( 111 ) having at least one portion ( 109 ) being tapered with contraction towards the proximal end ( 112 ) of said proximal wire core ( 111 ); a distal section ( 12 ) including a distal wire core ( 121 ) formed of a second material and having a proximal end ( 122 ) and a distal end ( 123 ), said distal wire core ( 121 ) having at least one portion being tapered with contraction towards the distal end ( 123 ) of said distal wire core ( 121 ); a mid section ( 13 ) including a joint ( 131 ) joining said distal end ( 113 ) of the proximal wire core ( 111 ) and said proximal end ( 122 ) of the distal wire core ( 121 ); a continuous safety wire ( 15 ) extending along the mid section ( 13 ), and at least a portion of the proximal section ( 11 ) and the distal section ( 12 ); and an outer tubing ( 14 ) enveloping said joint ( 131 ) and at least parts of the proximal section ( 11 ) and the distal sections ( 12 ); wherein in the mid section ( 13 ), the proximal wire core ( 111 ), the distal wire core ( 121 ), and the safety wire ( 15 ) in combination form a generally circular cross section of the combined materials of the proximal wire core ( 111 ), the distal wire core ( 121 ), and the safety wire ( 15 ).