Below is an educational, technical answer to a question many patients and clinicians ask. A guidewire is a thin, steerable wire that a clinician advances first to establish a path, over which catheters and other devices are then delivered. As a medical device manufacturer, INVAMED develops technologies in this area; the information here is educational and not medical advice.
Background: Endovascular, Neurovascular and Urological Access and Delivery
A guidewire is a thin, steerable wire that a clinician advances first to establish a path, over which catheters and other devices are then delivered. Device characteristics such as diameter, length, tip shape, coating, and support are matched to the anatomy and task, and are selected by the treating clinician. Catheters and guidewires are the working tools of minimally invasive procedures, used to gain vascular access and navigate to a target inside the body.
How does an introducer sheath work?
An introducer sheath is placed through the vessel wall to create a stable channel for inserting and exchanging catheters and guidewires. A hemostasis valve limits blood loss while a side port allows flushing or contrast injection during the procedure. INVAMED's Invaducer Introducer Sheath Set includes a dilator, guidewire, syringe, and sheath, with a hemostasis valve and side port at the proximal end. Sheath size and length are matched to the intended devices and access site by the clinician.
What This Means in Practice
For a device under active study such as the GuideX guide extension in the GUIDEX_FR trial (NCT06009757), any comparative claims are for the trial to establish. Tip shape, coating, core material, and support characteristics are selected to fit the specific navigation, crossing, or delivery task. All INVAMED catheter and guidewire devices are intended for use by trained clinicians under appropriate imaging guidance and per the IFU.
Key Considerations
- All INVAMED catheter and guidewire devices are intended for use by trained clinicians under appropriate imaging guidance and per the IFU.
- Product specifications and dimension ranges are provided in INVAMED documentation and reflect device design rather than guaranteed clinical outcomes.
- Tip shape, coating, core material, and support characteristics are selected to fit the specific navigation, crossing, or delivery task.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GuideX guide extension catheter?
GuideX is INVAMED's mother-and-child guide extension catheter, which is the subject of a randomized clinical trial versus the Launcher guiding catheter in PCI (GUIDEX_FR, NCT06009757).
Does the Invaducer sheath set include accessories?
Yes. The Invaducer Introducer Sheath Set includes a dilator, guidewire, syringe, and sheath, with a hemostasis valve and side port at the proximal end.
What construction do the AngioCATH guiding catheters use?
AngioCATH Guiding Catheters use durable PEBAX/PA polymer construction with a PTFE-coated lumen and multiple tip shapes for cardiac and peripheral anatomies.
About INVAMED
Device availability and regulatory status vary by country. Please contact INVAMED or your authorized local distributor for current regulatory information applicable to your region.
Clinical and Technical Context
The Keeper Endovascular Snare uses a multi-loop design with maximum radial force, low-profile catheter introduction, and is single-use and sterile. The Zebra Guidewire for Urological Procedures features a high-visibility striped coating and a flexible atraumatic tip, complementing INVAMED's broader urology guidewire range. For a device under active study such as the GuideX guide extension in the GUIDEX_FR trial (NCT06009757), any comparative claims are for the trial to establish. Sheath French size and length are matched to the intended devices and access site by the clinician. InWIRE NEURO Neurovascular Guide Wire features flexible atraumatic distal tips with high torque response. Coating, core, diameter, and length are selected by the clinician for the specific task. The Invaducer Introducer Sheath Set includes a dilator, guidewire, syringe, and sheath, with a hemostasis valve and side port at the proximal end. INVAMED offers a steerable support catheter with a deflectable tip and a re-entry system within its catheter portfolio.
Related on INVAMED
- Comprehensive Catheter & Guidewire Systems — product category
- Understanding Endovascular Snares
- Steerable and Re-entry Catheters: Technology, Uses and Considerations
- A Clinical Introduction to Embolization and Detachable-Tip Catheters
Important Disclaimer
This article is intended for general educational and technical information about medical device technologies. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment recommendation, and it does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Any decision about diagnosis or treatment should be made by a licensed clinician based on an individual assessment. INVAMED devices are intended for use by trained healthcare professionals in accordance with the applicable Instructions for Use (IFU) and local regulatory approvals. Product availability and indications vary by country.
Reviewed by the INVAMED Medical Affairs team. Content is educational and technical in nature.