a guidewire straightener assembly including a guidewire tube with a tubular passage therethrough having a first diameter and a distal end including a collar having a second diameter larger than the first diameter . a guidewire having a third diameter , smaller than the first diameter is disposed within the tubular passage . when a guidewire straightener is affixed to the guidewire tube distal end in a first position with its biasing member in the tubular passage , the at least one finger is biased by the tubular passage into frictional engagement with the guidewire ; when disposed in a second position in the collar , the at least one finger is disposed away from frictional engagement with the guidewire .