A wire guide (300, 400) which may be used to cross a lesion (501) through the subintimal layer (502) of an intraluminal passage (500). The wire guide comprises an inner elongated member (301, 401) with a larger diameter proximal portion (303, 403), a smaller diameter distal portion (305, 405), and a tapered portion (304, 404) transitioning between the larger and smaller diameters. An outer shell (302, 402) surrounds the inner elongated member. The wire guide may be used to cross a lesion (501) in an intraluminal passage (500) through the subintimal layer (502) while minimizing the portion of the wire guide (300, 400) which deflects against the proximal end of the lesion (501). Once the wire guide (300, 400) has crossed the intraluminal passage (500), it may be straightened so devices may be advanced to the lesion (501) over the wire guide and used to clear the intraluminal passage (500).
