Guide wires are thin, flexible medical devices used to guide or direct a medical instrument, such as a catheter, to a specific location within the body. They are commonly used in various medical procedures, such as angiograms, angioplasties, and embolization, to navigate through the blood vessels and reach the target site. Guide wires are typically made of stainless steel or other biocompatible materials and have a small, rounded tip to minimize the risk of tissue damage.