A guidewire straightener assembly (50,200,300,400) including a guidewire tube (56,250,450) with a tubular passage therethrough having a first diameter and a distal end, optionally including a collar (58,260,462) having a second diameter larger than the first diameter. The assembly also includes a guidewire straightener (10,210,410) having a distal end (12,212,412), a proximal end (14,214,414) having an exterior surface with a diameter sized to fit within the guidewire tube, and a longitudinal passageway (18,218,418) therethrough sized to accept the guidewire (52,202,402). The proximal end of the guidewire straightener further includes a biasing member (20,220,420) with at least one finger (26,216,416) therealong. The assembly further includes a guidewire (52,202,402) disposed within the tubular passage and the longitudinal passageway(18,218,418). When the guidewire straightener (10,210,410) is disposed within the guidewire tube in a first position with its biasing member in the tubular passage, the at least one finger (26,216,416) is biased by the tubular passage into frictional engagement with the guidewire; when disposed in a second position, the at least one finger is disposed away from frictional engagement with the guidewire.