The present invention is directed to a device and method for opening obstructed body internal passages and for sensing and characterizing tissues and substances in contact with the device. In general, the device comprises a catheter tube capable of inducing vibrations in a guidewire contained therein, wherein said vibrations of the guidewire are utilized for opening a passage through an occlusion. The in-vivo vibrations may be induced by means of a magnetic field actuating means and a guidewire comprising magnetic coupling means, or by means of transducers, which may be also used for the sensing. The invention also relates to the field of minimal invasive catheterization, particularly an apparatus for opening and/or removing obstructions occluding body internal passages by means of an active guidewire comprising a coil to which an alternating voltage can be applied. In that way the guidewire can vibrate if an external magnetic field is applied.
