Patent ID: 8343076

Claim:
A flexible guidewire comprising: a hollow tube having a proximal section and a distal section, said distal section having a tube axis, a first axial portion having a first outer diameter, a second axial portion having a second outer diameter that is smaller than said first outer diameter, and a distal tip having a distal tip outer diameter that is larger than said second outer diameter; a coil sensor, disposed within said distal tip, said coil sensor comprising a coil of wire having a plurality of turns that each extend circumferentially around a coil axis that is substantially parallel with said tube axis, said coil being configured to produce an electrical signal indicative of a characteristic of a magnetic field in which said coil is disposed; a plug coupled with said distal tip of said hollow tube for creating a non-traumatic tip; and a tubular spring around said second axial portion of said distal section for supporting compressive loads.