| CPC A61M 25/0158 (2013.01) [A61F 2/86 (2013.01); A61M 25/09 (2013.01); A61M 2025/0042 (2013.01)] | 6 Claims |

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1. A method for treating total occlusion of an artery of a patient, the method comprising:
positioning a small-diameter tube on a first side of an arterial plaque causing the total occlusion, the small-diameter tube having an elongated body, a distal tip, and an inner lumen that extends the length of the tube, the distal tip including a magnetic element that generates a strong focal magnetic field;
positioning a crossing wire on a second side of the arterial plaque, the crossing wire having an elongated body and a distal tip, the distal tip of the crossing wire including a ferromagnetic element;
advancing the crossing wire through or around the arterial plaque toward the small-diameter tube so as to position the distal tip of the crossing wire proximate to the distal tip of the small-diameter tube, wherein the distal tip of the crossing wire is drawn to the distal tip of the small-diameter tube due to magnetic attraction;
continuing to advance the crossing wire toward the small-diameter tube until the crossing wire is drawn into the inner lumen of the small-diameter tube under the effects of the magnetic attraction; and
advancing the crossing wire through the inner lumen of the small-diameter tube until the distal tip of the crossing wire is positioned outside of the patient's body.
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