ASAHI CHIKAI® 10: Standardised 0.014-inch Neuronavigation Wire for Coiling, Stenting, and Flow Diversion

ASAHI CHIKAI® 10 is the product line designation within the CHIKAI neurovascular microguidewire family that identifies the standard 0.014-inch steerable wire configuration used across the full spectrum of neurointerventional procedures. The ‘10’ nomenclature refers to the product line grouping within Asahi Intecc’s neurointerventional catalogue rather than a distinct engineering specification — it identifies this wire as the primary CHIKAI system compatible with the complete Headway microcatheter family from MicroVention-Terumo.

In practice, CHIKAI 10 delivers the same core neurovascular wire functionality as the broader CHIKAI platform: 0.014-inch outer diameter, hydrophilic coating for low-friction intracranial navigation, steerable tip for directional control under fluoroscopy, and full compatibility with Headway 17, Headway 21, and Headway 27 microcatheters. It is used for aneurysm coiling, arteriovenous malformation (AVM) embolisation, intracranial stent placement (LVIS, LVIS Jr), and flow diverter delivery (FRED X).

CHIKAI 10 is the appropriate wire for centres that have standardised on the Headway microcatheter system as their primary neurointerventional platform, providing the matched microguidewire that Asahi Intecc and MicroVention-Terumo have optimised for use with the Headway family.

Outer diameter: 0.014 inch. Hydrophilic coating: distal segment for low-friction intracranial navigation. Tip: steerable (can be shaped for directional control). Compatible microcatheters: Headway 17 (standard coiling microcatheter, 0.017-inch inner lumen), Headway 21 (larger coiling and embolisation microcatheter), Headway 27 (largest Headway, for flow diverters and large devices). Also compatible with all standard 0.014-inch-guidewire-compatible neuro delivery systems including LVIS stent delivery and FRED X flow diverter systems.

The CHIKAI 10 designation encompasses the same working length options as the broader CHIKAI platform (200 cm standard, 300 cm exchange length) and the same tip shape options (straight, round curve). For a complete catalog configuration reference, the WAIN-CKI product numbering system (as listed for standard CHIKAI) applies to CHIKAI 10 within the 0.014-inch product tier.

CHIKAI 10 vs. CHIKAI black: CHIKAI black adds a 150 cm polymer jacket for enhanced pushability and an additional 90-degree tip option. CHIKAI 10 is the baseline wire; CHIKAI black is the escalation for pushability-limited cases. Centres should stock CHIKAI 10 as the primary wire and CHIKAI black as the supplementary option.

CHIKAI 10 vs. non-Asahi 0.014-inch neuro wires: Competing wires include the Terumo Neuroscout, Stryker Synchro, and Microvention Headway wire series. CHIKAI 10’s hydrophilic coating extent and tip steerability are competitive with these wires. The primary advantage of CHIKAI 10 in centres that use Headway microcatheters is the Asahi-MicroVention integrated system optimisation — both companies have validated CHIKAI as the reference wire for Headway performance testing.

CHIKAI 10 vs. dedicated delivery wires for specific devices: Some neurointerventional devices (e.g., certain aspiration catheter systems) specify their own guidewires. CHIKAI 10 is a general-purpose 0.014-inch neuro wire and is appropriate for the vast majority of intracranial navigation tasks, but operators should confirm compatibility with device-specific instructions before using CHIKAI 10 as the delivery wire for novel devices.

Aneurysm coiling is the most common CHIKAI 10 application: used with Headway 17 or Headway 21 for unruptured and ruptured aneurysm coil delivery. The wire navigates the microcatheter to the aneurysm fundus, is removed, and coils are deployed through the microcatheter. CHIKAI 10’s steerable tip facilitates dome entry for a wide range of aneurysm geometries.

Intracranial stent deployment for stent-assisted coiling (SAC) uses CHIKAI 10 with Headway 21 for jailing wire technique and with LVIS/LVIS Jr delivery systems for stent placement. The 300 cm CHIKAI 10 variant supports exchange-length wire management for Y-stenting and kissing stent procedures in bifurcation aneurysms.

Flow diverter delivery (FRED X, Pipeline PED) relies on CHIKAI 10 300 cm for stable exchange-length wire positioning in the parent artery across the aneurysm neck. The wire must remain stable during delivery catheter exchange and device deployment — CHIKAI 10’s hydrophilic coating maintains low friction throughout this critical phase.

For aneurysm coiling with CHIKAI 10, use the round-curve tip configuration for most intracranial aneurysms. Shape the tip to match the estimated approach angle using steam reshaping at 2–3 mm from the distal end of the factory curve. Confirm tip shape fluoroscopically before aneurysm entry — the shaped tip should be directed toward the aneurysm dome under AP and lateral projection.

For flow diverter cases requiring 300 cm wire management: position the wire tip in a stable, straight segment of the distal parent artery (M1 MCA or P1 PCA as appropriate) before beginning catheter exchange. Use a torque device at the Y-connector to prevent wire rotation during catheter exchange. Confirm wire tip position under roadmap fluoroscopy at each exchange step.

Superselective navigation to very distal intracranial targets (M2/M3 MCA, A2/A3 ACA) requires careful wire advancement in small-calibre vessels with minimal forward force. In these situations, advance CHIKAI 10 with the roadmap guidance, using quarter-turn steering rotations only when at vessel bifurcations. Avoid continuous wire advancement without fluoroscopic confirmation at each branch point.

Modern Medical Solutions supplies ASAHI CHIKAI® 10 to neurointerventional centres in Tajikistan and Afghanistan as the authorised MicroVention distributor for Terumo products, stocking both 200 cm and 300 cm variants in straight and round-curve tip configurations. CHIKAI 10 is the standard neuro microwire for centres using the Headway microcatheter system.

For centres establishing or expanding neurointerventional programmes, Modern Medical Solutions provides full CHIKAI product support alongside the Headway microcatheter family, LVIS stent systems, FRED X flow diverters, and SOFIA aspiration catheters. Contact the team via the Modern Medical Solutions website for ordering, clinical consultation, and procedural support.