Abstract: The method of delivering an implant in an intracranial vessel includes deploying an anchor of a tethering device in an anchoring vessel forming a first fixation point and advancing a guide-sheath to a location near the anchoring vessel. The tethering device has a tether extending proximally from the anchor and the guide-sheath has at least one lumen. The method includes attaching the guide-sheath to the tether of the tethering device forming a second fixation point proximal to the first fixation point, delivering an implant through the lumen of the guide-sheath towards a treatment site distal to the first fixation point and located within an intracranial vessel, and deploying the implant at the treatment site. Related devices, systems, and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A medical device and method for the treatment of a sinus opening includes a handle, a guide catheter, a guide wire, a balloon catheter, a guide wire movement mechanism and a balloon catheter movement mechanism. The handle has proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal axis along the length of the handle. The guide catheter is attached to the distal end of the handle and has a catheter lumen. The guide wire and balloon catheter are both disposed at least partially in the handle and catheter lumen. The guide wire movement mechanism and the balloon catheter movement mechanism are both operatively disposed on the handle. In addition, the guide wire movement mechanism is configured for advancement and retraction of the guide wire through the handle and catheter lumen by user operation of the guide wire movement mechanism.

Abstract: Deflectable apparatus and methods for performing a procedure within a patient's body using such apparatus are provided. Generally, the apparatus includes an elongate tubular member including a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends, a deflectable distal portion including first and second lumens spaced apart from one another on generally opposite sides of the longitudinal axis, and a handle coupled to the proximal end of the tubular member. A pull wire includes a loop disposed within the handle and first and second segments extending from the loop and slidably received in the first and second lumens, respectively, and coupled to the distal end. An actuator is provided on the handle for applying tension to either the first or the second segment to cause a distal portion of the tubular member to deflect, e.g., in opposite directions.

Abstract: A stent delivery system can include a core member, an introducer sheath, and a microcatheter. The core member can have a distal segment. The stent engagement member can have a generally tubular body positioned about the core member distal segment and can be rotatably coupled to the core member. The engagement member can include an inner layer that has a first durometer and an outer layer that has a second durometer less than the first durometer. The stent can extend along the core member distal segment such that an inner surface of the stent is engaged by the engagement member outer layer for facilitating rotation of the stent relative to the core member.

Abstract: The invention provides design, material, manufacturing method, and use alternatives for medical devices. An example medical device includes an elongate shaft having a distal region and a coil disposed along the distal region. The coil is formed from a winding member having a first filar region and a second filar region. The winding member has a first cross-sectional diameter along the first filar region, a second cross-sectional diameter different from the first cross-sectional diameter along the second filar region, a first centroid at a first position along the first filar region and a second centroid at a second position along the second filar region. The first centroid and the second centroid are axially-aligned.

Abstract: A catheter system may comprise an elongated access assist device configured to receive a guidewire during a thrombectomy. The device may include a hemostasis valve coupled to a proximal end of the device, whereby the valve controls fluid flow between a proximal portion and a distal portion of the device. The device may also include a flush port coupled to the proximal portion, where the flush port is configured to couple to a fluid supply source and facilitate the release of fluid from the fluid supply source through the elongated access assist device. The fluid may be configured to be released through a plurality of microperforations located along the body of the device, as well as on a distal tapered portion of the device. The distal tapered portion, combined with the release of fluid through the microperforations, may ease navigation of the system through the vasculature.

Abstract: A device for delivering an implant (e.g., an embolic micro-coil) to a vascular disorder of a patient includes a delivery pusher, a moveable element, and first and second elongate members. The delivery pusher defines a lumen between its proximal and distal ends. The moveable element (e.g., a floating tube or a floating coil) defines a passageway therethrough and is disposed within the lumen of the delivery pusher. The first and second elongate members (e.g., core wires) are also disposed within the lumen of the delivery pusher. A portion of each elongate member passes through the passageway of the moveable element. Movement of the first elongate member in a first direction (e.g., retraction of the first elongate member from a locked to an unlocked configuration) causes a time-delayed or lost motion movement of the second elongate member in the same (i.e., first) direction, which releases the implant from the delivery pusher.

Abstract: An atherectomy system includes a drive mechanism adapted to rotatably actuate an atherectomy burr and a control system that is adapted to regulate operation of the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism may include a drive cable that is coupled with the atherectomy burr and a drive motor that is adapted to rotate the drive cable. The control system includes a drive module adapted to provide an operational signal to operate the drive mechanism, a monitoring module adapted to monitor operation of the drive mechanism and to determine if the drive mechanism is operating within a predetermined range and an excitation module that is operably coupled to the drive mechanism and is adapted to provide haptic feedback to a user of the drive mechanism if the monitoring module determines that the drive mechanism is not operating within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A microtube guide has a microtube combined with a free-floating and removable core. The microtube is generally hollow with a tube shaft and a distal ring, the tube shaft and the distal ring formed from flexible plastic. The distal ring is conformable to the core and straightenable for insertion into a patient's body, and deploys when the core is withdrawn to form a loop. The core is received by the microtube and is configured to advance into the distal ring to cause a diameter of the distal ring to expand, retract, or straighten. The core comprises a tapered segment that tapers in outer diameter from the diameter of the main core wire to a smaller diameter. A distal end segment of microtubing is frictionally affixed to the tapered segment.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for use in a bodily lumen. The apparatus comprises a guidewire and a catheter. The guidewire has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The catheter has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The catheter includes a lumen for receiving the guidewire. The catheter is configured to be translated along the guidewire. The catheter is configured to be biased towards a translated position along the guidewire by a magnetic attraction between the guidewire and the catheter.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to guidewire devices having shapeable tips and effective torquability. A guidewire device includes a core having a proximal section and a tapered distal section. A tube structure is coupled to the core such that the tapered distal section extends into the tube structure. The tube structure includes a plurality of bypass cuts formed tangentially within the tube structure to increase the flexibility of the tube structure and to reduce the tendency of resilient forces from the tube structure to disrupt a shaped distal tip of the guidewire device.

Abstract: A pull wire attachment system for a minimally invasive medical instrument comprises an anchoring element, a steerable tube, and a pull wire assembly. The anchoring element comprises a hollow tube having a first outer diameter. The pull wire assembly comprising a pull wire having a proximal end and a distal end and a securing element coupled to the distal end. A portion of the pull wire is disposed within a groove having an open cross-sectional shape extending along a length of the steerable tube. The securing element includes a second outer diameter sized smaller than the first outer diameter. The securing element is coupled to the anchoring element to prevent proximal translation of the distal end of the pull wire along a longitudinal axis of the medical instrument past the anchoring element. A proximal end of the securing element is disposed distal to a distal end of the steerable tube.

Abstract: A method for treating neurological pain includes inserting an introducer needle of gauge 18 or smaller through a percutaneous incision site on a body, coupling a first mating feature at a distal end of an elongate member of a stylet to a second mating feature of an implantable device that is configured to receive a wireless signal and to generate one or more electrical pulses from the wireless signal for exciting a tissue within the body, advancing the stylet and the implantable device together as an assembly to the tissue within the body through a lumen of the introducer needle, and applying the one or more electrical pulses to one or more electrodes of the implantable device to modulate the tissue within the body.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an instrument body, a shaft assembly, a dilation catheter, a guidewire, and a proximal deflection actuation assembly. The dilation catheter includes an expandable dilator and is slidable relative to the shaft assembly to thereby position the dilator distally relative to the distal end of the shaft assembly. The proximal deflection actuation assembly is positioned at the proximal end of the shaft assembly and is operable to selectively deflect the length of the shaft assembly relative to the longitudinal axis of the instrument body to thereby deflect the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly away from the longitudinal axis of the instrument body.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient using a catheter insertion device. The catheter insertion device includes a housing, a needle, a catheter, a guidewire, and an actuator mechanism. The needle is attached to a needle carrier, the catheter is positioned coaxially around the needle such that a distal end of the needle extends distal of a distal end of the catheter, and the guidewire has a distal end positioned in a lumen of the needle. The method includes holding the catheter insertion device, inserting the distal end of the needle and catheter into a blood vessel, advancing the distal end of the guidewire out of the lumen of the needle into the blood vessel, moving the catheter over the guidewire in the blood vessel, and activating the actuator mechanism to simultaneously retract the distal end of the needle and the distal end of the guidewire into the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a grounding member and an actuator. The grounding member includes a first grounding feature and a bending channel. The first grounding feature is configured to engage a dilation instrument. The bending channel is configured to receive a malleable member of the dilation instrument. The actuator is pivotably coupled with the grounding member. The actuator has a bearing surface. The bearing surface is configured to cooperate with the bending channel to thereby bend the malleable member of the dilation instrument as the actuator is pivoted relative to the grounding member.

Abstract: A single-wire stylet may be constructed as an elongate single-wire, memory-metal alloy body with a generally cylindrical body profile, extending distally from a proximal end terminus, where embodiments include a polymeric distal tip member fixedly attached directly at a distal end of the single-wire body. At least one lengthwise portion of the single-wire body is at least partially in martensitic phase at operating temperatures at and below about 37° C. Where present, the polymeric distal tip member has a generally cylindrical body profile circumferentially bounded by an outer circumference substantially equal to or greater than that of the metal body. The polymeric distal tip member may be overmolded upon a distal-end tip length of an elongate single-wire, memory-metal alloy stylet body, where the distal end and/or discrete intermediate distal-portion length(s) that include martensitic-phase alloy and any polymeric member have greater flexibility than a proximal-most length of the alloy stylet body.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to multi-focal intravascular pressure catheters and related systems and methods. In an embodiment, a catheter comprises a plurality of pressure sensors spaced apart along at least a portion of the catheter. Each of the plurality of pressure sensors can comprise a pressure membrane arranged over an aperture in the catheter. In an embodiment, the pressure membrane can comprise carbon nanotubes, silver or gold nanoparticles, or another suitable material that can provide a signal in response to a mechanical change (e.g., deformation or flexing of the pressure membrane) to indicate a pressure or change in pressure. Signals from the plurality of pressure sensors can be communicated to an electrical interface which can calibrate or convert the signals into a visual indication of the pressure at any one of the plurality of pressure sensors as well as pressure gradients between various ones of the plurality of pressure sensors.

Abstract: A guide wire assembly includes a dispenser coil, a guide wire and multiple clips. The dispenser coil is resilient and spirally coiled with coiled portions over an entire length of the dispenser coil. The guide wire is resilient and received inside the dispenser coil. The multiple clips are thermally joined to corresponding coiled portions of the dispenser partially over the entire length of the dispenser coil, and are spaced apart from each other by gaps. Each clip is resilient and has multiple circular grooves parallelly formed in and traversing across a bottom of the clip. The dispenser coil is partially thermally joined to the multiple clips and the coiled portions of the dispenser coil are uniformly curved and flush with each other, ensuring that the guide wire assembly can be produced in a time-saving fashion without compromising the capability against deformation to the guide wire.

Abstract: A guidewire retention clip is provided to prevent the accidental, complete insertion of a guidewire into a patient during various procedures. As provided herein, the guidewire retention clip may include a body having a portion configured to hold a guidewire; a sensor associated with the body configured to detect movement of the guidewire to and from the body; and an audio and/or visual indicator arranged on the body, wherein the audio and/or visual indicator is triggered when the sensor detects movement of the guidewire. Methods of using the guidewire retention clip are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a catheter having a balloon including at least one first radiopaque marking. A guidewire guides the balloon to the treatment area, and includes at least one second radiopaque marking adapted for corresponding to the at least one first radiopaque marking of the balloon when positioned at the treatment area. Related aspects and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A catheter placement system for positioning a catheter in a vasculature of a patient using at least two different modalities. The catheter placement system includes a console with a display, a stylet removably positionable within a lumen of the catheter, a tip location sensor, and an external electrode. The stylet may include an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor assembly for detecting ECG signals of a node of a heart of the patient, and a first connector in communication with the ECG sensor assembly. The tip location sensor may be configured to detect the stylet when the catheter is disposed within the vasculature of the patient, and to communicate information of the stylet to the console. The console may be configured to receive at least one aspect of the ECG signal detected by the ECG sensor assembly indicative of proximity of the ECG sensor assembly to the node.

Abstract: There is provided a laminate membrane for an implant, comprising: an inner layer having an inner layer thickness; a first covering layer disposed on one side of the inner layer, the first covering layer having a first covering layer thickness; and a second covering layer disposed on another side of the inner layer, the second covering layer having a second covering layer thickness.

Abstract: A device and system for providing a centered lumen within a catheter body. A coiled guide lumen (CGL) is composed of a length of wire forming a plurality of coils about the longitudinal axis of the CGL, the CGL including one or more first sections having a first diameter and one or more sections having a second diameter, the second diameter being greater than the first diameter, and a secondary guide lumen extending through the first sections. The CGL may include at least one pull wire extending through the secondary guide lumen and attached at the distal portion of the catheter body. A band may be coupled to an interior of the catheter body distal portion, each of the pull wires being coupled to the annular band. Alternatively, the system may further include a shim coupled to the band, each of the pulls wire being coupled to the shim.

Abstract: A pressure sensing guidewire includes a distal end and a proximal end. The guidewire includes a tubular member having a distal portion and a proximal portion. The guidewire includes an optical pressure sensor disposed within the distal portion of the tubular member, and a polymer fiber optic cable extending proximally from the optical pressure sensor. The optical pressure sensor is located at a position that is about 3 centimeters or less from the distal end of the pressure sensing guidewire.

Abstract: A balloon catheter includes a balloon and an inner shaft. The inner shaft includes a marker member arranged on an outer periphery of a coil body having a sparsely wound portion in which gaps are formed between adjacent windings of the wire of the coil body. A distal end part and a proximal end part of the marker member are arranged at a position facing a void formed within one of the gaps between the adjacent windings of the wire of the coil body. The inner shaft of the balloon catheter therefore will not buckle, preventing damage to the balloon by contact with the marker member when the balloon catheter is passed through the inside of a curved blood vessel.

Abstract: In some examples, an embolic protection system includes an elongated member, a first filter body mechanically connected to the elongated member and defining a first filter mouth and a first filter end, the first filter mouth being one of proximal or distal to the first filter end, and a second filter body mechanically connected to the elongated member and distal to the first filter body, the second filter body defining a second filter mouth and a second filter end, the second filter mouth being the one of proximal or distal to the second filter end. In some instances, at least a section of the elongated member between the first and second filter bodies may be flexible, and may be configured to conform to a shape of an arch between two vessels of a patient.

Abstract: An endovascular device including a hollow shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and sized for insertion into a blood vessel, may be provided. The endovascular device may also include a control line configured to extend through the hollow shaft and an actuatable working portion situated distally from the distal end of the hollow shaft and configured to receive an actuation force transmitted via the control line. The endovascular device may further include an actuator configured to exert the actuation force on the control line to cause relative movement between the control line and the hollow shaft and to actuate the working portion. The endovascular device may also include a rotation restriction barrier configured to substantially impede the control line from rotating relative to the working portion, while permitting relative axial movement between the control line and the hollow shaft.

Abstract: A modular handle assembly includes a dial rotatably connected to a handle and rotatable about a first rotary axis. A first gear arm extends from the dial and terminates at a first traction surface. A second gear arm is connected to the handle and rotatable about a second rotary axis that is parallel to the first rotary axis. The second gear arm terminates at a second gear tip that presents a second traction surface disposed against the first traction surface such that rotation of the dial in a first rotary direction effectuates rotation of the second gear arm in an opposite direction. A cam is coupled with at least one of the first and second gear tips and presents at least one deflection surface for deflecting a deflection wire during rotation of the dial to steer a distal end of a steerable catheter containing the deflection wire.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device includes a housing, a needle, a guide wire, and a catheter disposed coaxially over the needle. The needle has a proximal end in the housing and a distal end extending from a distal end of the housing in an insertion position. The guide wire has a distal portion disposed in a lumen of the needle in a withdrawn position. The guide wire may include a safety tip having a non-coiled configuration in the withdrawn position and a coiled configuration in an advanced position. The catheter insertion device may include a sliding member attached to the guide wire, wherein movement of the sliding member translates the guide wire from the withdrawn position to the advanced position.

Abstract: A lung-volume-reduction elastic implant (500) is tubular and at least the proximal end of the implant has an opening. The implant (500) comprises an elastic deforming part (51) and a flexible guiding part (53) connected to the distal end of the elastic deforming part (51). The elastic deforming part (51) has a shape memory property. The elastic deforming part (51) is provided in the lengthwise direction thereof with several slots (514) at intervals, wherein each slot (514) communicates with the tubular cavity of the elastic deforming part (51). Under the same externally applied force, the flexible guiding part (53) deforms more easily than the elastic deforming part (51). An implant delivering instrument (600) comprises an implant (500) and a matching delivering means (700). The delivering means (700) comprises a core wire (71) and a hollow pushing member (73). The implant (500) is detachably connected to the distal end of the pushing member (73) by means of the proximal end of the implant.

Abstract: A microcatheter device for crossing a patient's aortic valve has a guidetube combined with a free-floating and removable guidewire. The guidetube is generally hollow with a main shaft and a distal ring, the main shaft and the distal ring formed from flexible plastic. The distal ring is larger in diameter than the main shaft, and is configured to conform to an internal guidewire for insertion into the aorta, and then to deploy to form a downwardly-extending loop when in place in the left ventricle. A guidewire is received by the guidetube and is configured to advance into the distal ring to cause a diameter of the distal ring to expand, retract, or completely straighten. The distal ring diameter is thus adjustable to fit the size of the patient's left ventricle.

Abstract: Actuators for steerable medical devices are disclosed that not only deflect or steer a portion of a medical device (e.g., a distal portion of a catheter shaft), but also include mechanisms for actively returning the deflected portion of the medical device to an initial configuration (e.g., straight or substantially straight). These active return-to-straight mechanisms may return a catheter shaft from a deflected configuration to a substantially straight configuration throughout a medical procedure, may employ one or more tension members extending along the catheter shaft, and may comprise a gross return actuator and a fine return actuator. For example, the gross return actuator may be configured to partially reverse the deflection of the distal portion of the catheter; and the fine return actuator may be configured to continue reversing the deflection. The gross return actuator may automatically trigger or actuate (mechanically or electromechanically) the fine return actuator.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catheter for positioning through a conventional guiding catheter into the vasculature of a patient, the catheter having a distal tube and a proximal shaft coupled to a proximal portion of the distal tubular member. The distal tube can have a tubular wall, a tube lumen defined within the tube by the tubular wall, a proximal opening sized to allow a medical device to be positioned therethrough, and at least one opening defined within the tubular wall along a length of the distal tube.

Abstract: A microtube guide has a microtube combined with a free-floating and removable core. The microtube is generally hollow with a tube shaft and a distal ring, the tube shaft and the distal ring formed from flexible plastic. The distal ring is conformable to the core and straightenable for insertion into a patient's body, and deploys when the core is withdrawn to form a loop. The core is received by the microtube and is configured to advance into the distal ring to cause a diameter of the distal ring to expand, retract, or straighten. The distal ring diameter is thus adjustable by the user.

Abstract: A device for manipulating tissue at a vessel includes an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end, a guide member at the distal end of the elongated member, the guide member having a blunt distal tip for engagement against an interior wall of the vessel, and a tissue cutting device at the distal end of the elongated member, wherein the tissue cutting device has a sharp tip that is proximal to the blunt distal tip of the guide member.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical device is provided and includes an endoscopic anchor retaining/advancing assembly including a proximal tube portion and a distal tube portion pivotably connected to one another at an articulation joint; a proximal inner shaft rotatably disposed within the proximal tube portion; a distal inner shaft rotatably disposed within the distal tube portion; and a relatively flexible intermediate drive cable mechanically interconnecting the proximal inner shaft and the distal inner shaft, wherein the intermediate drive cable extends across the articulation joint, wherein the intermediate drive cable defines a central longitudinal axis that is off-set a radial distance from a central longitudinal axis of the proximal tube portion and the distal tube portion.

Abstract: A guide wire is disclosed, the guide wire including a flexible wire main body, a coil that is intermediately disposed in a longitudinal direction of the wire main body in an outer periphery of the wire main body, and a support portion that supports at least one of a distal end and a proximal end of the coil so as to be rotatable around a central axis O of the wire main body. In a natural state where an external force is not supplied to the guide wire, the support portion supports in a state where an inner peripheral portion of the coil and an outer peripheral portion of the wire main body are separated from each other.

Abstract: A wire member that exhibits an excellent sliding property is provided. A wire member 1 includes: a core member 2 that has an elongated shape; and a surface-disposed member 3 that is spirally disposed on a surface of the core member 2 so as to leave predetermined spaces along a longitudinal direction of the core member 2. In a cross-sectional view taken along the axis of the core member 2, the front end and the rear end of each of projections 3A formed by the surface-disposed member 3 respectively form contact angles ?1, ?2 each being 5° or greater relative to the surface of the core member 2.

Abstract: The devices and methods described herein refer to a guidewire, sometimes referred to as a K-wire, for use during varying orthopedic surgeries. The guidewire allows for the measurement of objects and distances inside the patient's body when used in tandem with x-ray or fluoroscopy imaging. Also, the devices and methods described herein act as a guide to accurately insert an instrument or implant, in the correct orientation, to the surgical site. The guidewire comprises a measurement segment that comprises one or more markers placed at known distances from the distal end of the guidewire. The markers, when used in tandem with fluoroscopy and/or x-ray imaging, provide users with a reference for measuring objects and distances inside the body. The markers can have many possible designs or configurations such as, but not limited to, visualization windows, grooves, notches, and/or material inserts.

Abstract: This document relates to catheter-based therapeutic apparatus and methods for directing therapy within the body of a subject. This document also encompasses a control handle comprising a steering assembly and a delivery assembly suitable for use in conjunction with the catheter-based therapeutic apparatus to provide steering and fine positional control of the catheter tip.

Abstract: Deflectable catheters, systems, and methods of using deflectable catheters are described herein. An embodiment of a deflectable catheter comprises an elongate member, a handle, and a wire member. The elongate member has a shaft and a flexible member. The shaft defines a first lumen and a second lumen and the flexible member defines a passageway. The flexible member is attached to the shaft such that the passageway defined by the flexible member is in communication with each of the first lumen and second lumen defined by the shaft.

Abstract: A control system and method are provided for control of a steerable catheter, the catheter including at least two control wires, a distal end of each of the control wires being coupled to the catheter at a distal region thereof, the control system comprising: a housing coupled to the catheter; a slide assembly positioned within the housing and operable to translate linearly therein; a proximal portion of each of the at least two control wires being positioned through the slide assembly; and a control knob rotatably coupled to the housing for linearly translating the slide assembly, thereby enabling the slide assembly to separately manipulate each of said at least two control wires to effect a change in a deflection of said catheter.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device with a housing and an interior space. An access needle and a guide wire supported by and moveable relative to the access needle. A restraining element attached to a handle to limit the motion of the guide wire relative to the access needle. A catheter insertion device with a housing and an interior space. An access needle and a guide wire channel attached to the access needle. A guide wire supported by the guide wire channel. A handle attached to the guide wire to move the guide wire relative to the guide wire support channel. A method of introducing a catheter into a vessel by inserting a guide wire substantially contained within a housing into a vessel. Next, advance a catheter over the guide wire and into the vessel. Next, withdraw the guide wire out of the vessel and completely into the housing.

Abstract: A guidewire torquer comprising a handling body for handling of the guidewire torquer and guidewire holding surfaces oriented for engaging the guidewire from mutually opposite sides of the guidewire and holding the guidewire in an elastically tensioned, bent guidewire shape providing frictional fixation of the guidewire relative to the handling body. The guidewire holding surfaces project from an abutment plane defined by at least one abutment surface. A guidewire trajectory of the bent guidewire shape extends along and touches the guidewire holding surfaces is accessible from a direction in which the at least one abutment surface is facing. At least portions of the guidewire holding surfaces lean over towards or face the abutment plane for holding the guidewire adjacent to said abutment plane, and the guidewire holding surfaces are part of a single, rigid body portion.

Abstract: A guide wire configured for intravascular insertion includes a core wire having a flattened portion configured to allow the core wire to preferentially bend in at least one plane that passes through a longitudinal axis of the core wire. A distal most end of the flattened portion is spaced from a distal most end of the core wire. The guide wire may further include a sensor element configured to measure a physiological variable in a living body and a coil surrounding a portion of the core wire.

Abstract: A flexible guide tube having a deflectable distal end is disclosed with at least first and second tensioning lines coupled to a deflectable distal end of the flexible guide tube. The first tensioning line is configured to deflect the distal end of the flexible guide tube in a first direction and the second tensioning line is configured to deflect the distal end of the flexible guide tube in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. A handle is coupled to flexible tube, the handle having a medial portion with a longitudinal axis substantially parallel with at least a portion of the flexible guide tube, a first actuator disposed proximal the medial section, and a second actuator disposed distal the medial section.

Abstract: A system and method for implanting and stabilizing spinal cord stimulators in an epidural space of the spinal column of a patient to prevent or limit axial movement of the stimulators once implanted in the epidural space. The system includes a drill assembly, a guide wire assembly, and a guide wire receiver. The drill assembly includes a cannula, a drill for creating access points in the patient's spinal column for implanting the stimulators, and an incremental drill adjuster for drilling into the patient's lamina a pre-set, discrete distance. The guide wire assembly includes a hollowed guide wire sleeve, a guide wire housed within the sleeve, and a magnet disposed on a proximal end of the guide wire assembly. The guide wire receiver includes a scoop for receiving and catching the magnet to assist in feeding the stimulators through the epidural space.

Abstract: A lead delivery apparatus and a method of delivering a medical lead to an anatomic target site. The method includes inserting a hydraulic plug into an internal delivery lumen of a delivery shaft, and coupling a medical lead to the hydraulic plug. Hydraulic pressure is applied to the hydraulic plug through the delivery lumen, thereby moving the hydraulic plug toward an anatomic target site, and advancing the medical lead toward the target site.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for clearing obstructions from a medical tube are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a spool drive system is disclosed for actuating a guide wire within a medical tube. The spool drive system can be a hand held, disposable device having a spool housing with a spool therein for alternately advancing and withdrawing a guide wire through an inlet of the spool housing. A track can be spaced from and extend about a perimeter of the spool to direct the guide wire onto or off of the spool as the spool is rotated. Other embodiments and devices for actuating the guide wire, and methods therefor, also are disclosed.