Dilator, vascular

Intended purpose

A device, typically a surgical instrument, made of metal, plastic or other suitable material in a cylindrical form and in a range of sizes and flexibilities. The instrument may have distal tips of various shapes and sizes used to enlarge or calibrate a vessel. Also included is a dilator for percutaneous catheterization which is placed over a guide wire to enlarge the opening in a vessel. The dilator is removed before sliding the catheter over the guide wire.