Patent ID: 8740815

Claim:
A guidewire, comprising: a distal section having an expandable side and a non-expandable side, the distal section comprising a metallic coil defining a first central space and comprising a plurality of winds defined by a first outer radius when viewed in a longitudinal direction, and an external flat section on the plurality of winds defined by a second outer radius when viewed in the longitudinal direction, the second outer radius being smaller than the first outer radius; a proximal section comprising a hollow member defining a second central space coaxial with the first central space, the proximal section having less flexibility than the distal section; a metallic ribbon having a rectangular cross section attached to the external flat section at each of the plurality of winds; and an actuating member extending through the first central space and the second central space, the actuating member attached proximate a distal end of the distal section and capable of transferring longitudinal force to the coil.