Guide-wire reinforcement and lengthening with coaxial locking guide wires: the crimping technique.

The authors developed a technique to increase the size of a guide wire and permit single-step placement of catheters and large sheath systems over previously inserted small-caliber guide wires. The technique involves compression of metal cannula against a smaller in-dwelling wire or inner cannula. It has been used successfully during laser-assisted balloon angioplasty and percutaneous nephrolithotomy.