A medical device with a corrugated shaping ribbon is provided. The corrugated shaping ribbon for the medical device, which may be provided in the form of a guide wire or catheter, specifically a crossing guide wire or catheter, provides a mechanism by which energy can be stored as the distal tip of the medical device engages a lesion or other area of occlusion within a blood vessel. By storing such energy and continuing to apply force, eventually the distal tip extends thereby releasing the stored energy and allowing the distal tip to advance or cross through the lesion.
