The invention relates to a device for opening occluded blood vessels, comprising a braided structure (2) on a guide wire (1), said braided structure (2) being securely and permanently attached to the guide wire and consisting of a plurality of filaments (4) arranged in a helical manner and at least at the proximal end combined into a bundle, with the braided structure (2) assuming an elongated form of smaller diameter when subjected to external force while when in unstressed state defining a tubular element of larger diameter closed at least at its proximal end, with the device being provided with restraining/bracing fiber elements (9).