PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - J C Chaloupka AU - F ViƱuela AU - R P Malanum AU - C Ji AU - D E Goller AU - J Robert AU - G Duckwiler TI - Technical feasibility and performance studies of a Doppler guide wire for potential neuroendovascular applications. DP - 1994 Mar 01 TA - American Journal of Neuroradiology PG - 503--507 VI - 15 IP - 3 4099 - http://www.ajnr.org/content/15/3/503.short 4100 - http://www.ajnr.org/content/15/3/503.full SO - Am. J. Neuroradiol.1994 Mar 01; 15 AB - PURPOSE To conduct technical feasibility and performance studies on a new Doppler-tipped, 0.014-inch micro-guide wire for potential neuroendovascular applications. METHODS In vivo microcatheterizations of brachiocephalic arteries were performed in two swine using the 0.014-inch Doppler guide wire and a commonly used microcatheter. A standardized, bench-top method of evaluating basic mechanical properties of micro-guide wires was also used to compare the 0.014-inch Doppler guide wire with a commonly used micro-guide wire. RESULTS The 0.014-inch Doppler guide wire had similar steerability, tractability, torque control, and distal tip flexibility to the commonly used micro-guide wire in the in vivo simulations. Frequent micro-guide wire exchanges were possible without loss of superselective positioning of the microcatheter. Bench-top testing showed the 0.014-inch Doppler guide wire to have comparable distal tip flexibility and stiffness to the commonly used micro-guide wire. CONCLUSION The comparable subjective and objective mechanical properties of the 0.014-inch Doppler guide wire to that of a commonly used micro-guide wire further establishes the possibility of clinical implementation of the device.