A guidewire assembly having a guidewire (100) with a proximal end (104), a distal end (106), and a diameter (108). A self-expanding element (116) can be disposed approximate to the distal end of the guidewire and can have at least two states which include a contracted diameter (118) and an expanded diameter (120). The self-expanding element can be expandable under its inherent proprieties, based at least on its original shape and the nature of the materials that make up the element.
