Abstract: According to one aspect, a dilation device may include a body, at least one loop actuator attached to the body, and a sheath attached to the body at a proximal end and attached to the loop actuator at a distal end.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a dilation device may include a body, at least one loop actuator attached to the body, and a sheath attached to the body at a proximal end and attached to the loop actuator at a distal end.

Abstract: In a transseptal crossing needle device for inserting an outer sheath through a septum, an inner dilator sheath is received within the outer sheath and a needle having a curved end portion adjacent a tip of a tip portion of the needle is provided, the needle being received in the inner dilator sheath. The needle tip portion comprises an angled transverse end surface terminating at said tip and slanting away from an inner concave curved wall of said inner sheath curved by the needle curved end portion, the needle tip being spaced not only away from said inner concave curved wall of said inner sheath but also away from an inner convex curved wall of said inner sheath opposite said concave wall to reduce or eliminate skiving of material from the concave and convex inner walls of the inner sheath.

Abstract: A catheter design and method is provided for the aspiration of thrombus, clot, atherosclerotic emboli in the vascular bed. The aspiration catheter includes an aspiration lumen, a guidewire lumen having an exchange port, and a recess in the aspiration unit. The aspiration catheter lumen is divided into two sections: (i) proximal, and (ii) distal. The distal section has a distal opening.

Abstract: In a transseptal crossing needle device for inserting an outer sheath through a septum, an inner dilator sheath is received within the outer sheath and a needle having a curved end portion adjacent a tip of a tip portion of the needle is provided, the needle being received in the inner dilator sheath. The needle tip portion comprises an angled transverse end surface terminating at said tip and slanting away from an inner concave curved wall of said inner sheath curved by the needle curved end portion, the needle tip being spaced not only away from said inner concave curved wall of said inner sheath but also away from an inner convex curved wall of said inner sheath opposite said concave wall to reduce or eliminate skiving of material from the concave and convex inner walls of the inner sheath.

Abstract: A catheter and guide wire exchange system including a catheter that has a guide wire lumen with a guide way extending along a length of the proximal shaft. A guide member is slidably disposed about the proximal shaft for directing a guide wire into or out of the guide way and the guide wire lumen. A transition section joins the trilumen proximal shaft to a coaxial distal shaft.

Abstract: A catheter having a proximal shaft defining a guidewire lumen and an inflation lumen. The inflation lumen is arcuate shaped and reinforced with a tube having an arcuate shaped cross-section or another reinforcing means. The catheter also has a distal shaft, with a greater flexibility than the proximal shaft. The catheter also has a transition section. A proximal end of the transition section communicates with the proximal shaft, and a distal end communicating with the distal shaft. The transition section has a gradually increased flexibility from its proximal end to its distal end. The transition section includes a transition means creating the increased flexibility.

Abstract: A catheter having a proximal shaft defining a guidewire lumen and an inflation lumen. The inflation lumen is arcuate shaped and reinforced with a tube having an arcuate shaped cross-section or another reinforcing means. The catheter also has a distal shaft, with a greater flexibility than the proximal shaft. The catheter also has a transition section. A proximal end of the transition section communicates with the proximal shaft, and a distal end communicating with the distal shaft. The transition section has a gradually increased flexibility from its proximal end to its distal end. The transition section includes a transition means creating the increased flexibility.

Abstract: A catheter having a proximal shaft defining a guidewire lumen and an inflation lumen. The inflation lumen is arcuate shaped and reinforced with a tube having an arcuate shaped cross-section or another reinforcing means. The catheter also has a distal shaft, with a greater flexibility than the proximal shaft. The catheter also has a transition section. A proximal end of the transition section communicates with the proximal shaft, and a distal end communicating with the distal shaft. The transition section has a gradually increased flexibility from its proximal end to its distal end. The transition section includes a transition means creating the increased flexibility.

Abstract: A catheter and guide wire exchange system including a catheter having a guide wire lumen with a guide way extending along the length of a stiffened proximal shaft portion, and a guide member slidably disposed about the proximal shaft for directing a guide wire into or out of the guide way and the guide wire lumen. The proximal shaft may be slid through the guide member so that the guide wire is contained within the guide wire lumen distal to the guide member and with the guide wire and catheter being separated proximal of the guide member. The guide member has a decoupled body, that allows it to be rotated without affecting the guidewire direction through the guidemember.

Abstract: A catheter and guide wire exchange system including a catheter that has a guide wire lumen with a guide way extending along a length of the proximal shaft. A guide member is slidably disposed about the proximal shaft for directing a guide wire into or out of the guide way and the guide wire lumen. A transition section joins the trilumen proximal shaft to a coaxial distal shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical stent delivery device for delivering a stent to a treatment site. The device has an elongated catheter with an inflatable balloon attached to its distal end for receiving a stent which is expandable radially upon inflation of the balloon. The elongated catheter includes a transitional area of material proximal and/or distal to the stent.