A guide catheter includes a tubular section formed of a shape memory polymerthat cantransform dynamically between first and second states or conditions, or amongthree states orconditions, to provide a wide range of properties of the guide catheter asdesired during deliveryof the guide catheter through the vasculature to a target site, and removal ofthe guide catheterfrom the target site and vasculature. The states or conditions of the shapememory polymer bedynamically changed to vary properties of the tubular section such asstiffness, flexibility, shape,or biodegradability, which can be controlled by exposure of the shape memorypolymer totemperature changes, electric fields, magnetic fields, wavelengths of light,and chemicalsolutions.
