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
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. INVAMED offers a comprehensive catheter and guidewire portfolio spanning sheaths, guidewires, guiding and support catheters, microcatheters, and retrieval devices. Access is commonly established with an introducer sheath, which creates a stable, valved entry point through the vessel wall for exchanging devices.
What is the difference between inner and outer diameter of a sheath?
A sheath's inner diameter determines the largest device it can accommodate, while the outer diameter relates to the size of the arteriotomy in the vessel. This distinction matters because sheath French sizing conventions can refer to different dimensions for sheaths versus catheters. INVAMED provides sizing details for the Invaducer Introducer Sheath Set in its product documentation. The appropriate sheath size is selected by the clinician to fit both the vessel and the planned devices.
What This Means in Practice
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. All INVAMED catheter and guidewire devices are intended for use by trained clinicians under appropriate imaging guidance and per the IFU.
Key Considerations
- 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 inner and outer diameters carry different implications for device compatibility and access, and should be confirmed in product documentation.
- All INVAMED catheter and guidewire devices are intended for use by trained clinicians under appropriate imaging guidance and per the IFU.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
What guidewire diameters does INVAMED offer?
INVAMED's InWIRE range includes 0.014 and 0.018 inch CTO / recanalization wires and 0.035 and 0.038 inch peripheral wires, plus a dedicated neurovascular guidewire; the choice is made by the clinician.
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.
About INVAMED
INVAMED states it holds more than 100 international patents across its device portfolio. INVAMED is a medical device manufacturer headquartered in Ankara, Turkey, founded in 2005.
Clinical and Technical Context
The appropriate tip shape and catheter are chosen by the clinician for the target anatomy. Product specifications and dimension ranges are provided in INVAMED documentation and reflect device design rather than guaranteed clinical outcomes. InWIRE NEURO Neurovascular Guide Wire features flexible atraumatic distal tips with high torque response. The configuration selected depends on the crossing or delivery task as judged by the operator. INVAMED offers a steerable support catheter with a deflectable tip and a re-entry system within its catheter portfolio. InWIRE Peripheral Guidewires provide 0.035 inch and 0.038 inch options with a choice of nitinol or stainless steel cores. Device selection for neurovascular access is directed by the neurointerventionalist. Sheath French size and length are matched to the intended devices and access site by the clinician.
Related on INVAMED
- Comprehensive Catheter & Guidewire Systems — product category
- Nitinol core or Stainless steel core? A Technical Comparison
- Introducer sheath or Guiding catheter? A Technical Comparison
- What is an endovascular snare used for?
Important Disclaimer
The information here is provided for educational purposes and to describe device technology; it is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Only a licensed healthcare provider can determine whether a given procedure or device is appropriate for a specific patient. INVAMED products are restricted to use by qualified professionals following the official IFU. Regulatory clearance and labeling differ between regions, and not all products or indications are available in every market.
Reviewed by the INVAMED Medical Affairs team. Content is educational and technical in nature.