Wire systems for the ablation of occlusions within blood vessels are provided. Systems include one or more wires configured for percutaneous insertion in a blood vessel, the wires configured to ablate an occlusion within the blood vessel. In some embodiments, a wire is gradually tapered near its distal end so that it can be used to pierce occlusions. In some cases, it may be used to dilate existing microchannels within occlusions. In some embodiments, a capture device is inserted towards the occlusion from either the same or opposite side as the tapered wire, and is used to draw the wire through the occlusion.