Stiffness-matched segmented metallic guidewire for interventional cardiovascular MRI

Background Conductive guidewires and intravascular catheters are at risk of RF-induced heating under MRI [1]. Heating is found predominantly at the tip of conductive wires [2], and is modulated by wire diameter, length and insulation thickness [3]. Non-conductive materials, such as polymer, impart unsatisfactory mechanical properties on guidewires in terms of flexibility, stiffness, and torquability, for navigating tortuous cardiovascular structures and for safely delivering catheter devices.