A torque apparatus for facilitating manipulation of a guidewire includes a handle member dimensioned for engagement by a clinician and defining a longitudinal axis and a torque member mounted to the handle member. The torque member defines a lumen configured for reception and passage of a guidewire and is configured to rotate relative to the handle member to impart rotational movement to the guidewire. A gripper member associated with the torque member is adapted to releasably secure the guidewire relative to the torque member and a trigger member depending from the handle member is actuable to cause the gripper member to release the guidewire to thereby permit the guidewire to be moved within the lumen of the torque member. An actuator is operatively coupled to the torque member and is movable to impart rotational movement to the torque member to thereby cause corresponding rotational movement of the guidewire.
