Abstract: A medical sheath includes an elongate member having a proximal portion defining a proximal end and a distal portion defining a distal end. A first lumen extends through the elongate member and is open at the proximal and the distal end for passage of a medical device through the lumen. The medical sheath further includes an anchoring mechanism that is deployable from the elongate member. The anchoring mechanism includes an anchor that is removably securable to an anatomical feature to secure the elongate member to the anatomical feature, and a connector securing the anchor to the elongate member.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for puncturing tissue, including a surgical introducer with a stiff main body and a flexible tip which can be used with a puncture device to gain epicardial access. The surgical introducer comprises an introducer shaft having a rigid portion and a flexible tip portion. The rigid portion has a metal tube extending to the rigid portion distal end. The flexible tip portion is distal of the metal tube distal end. The flexible tip portion includes a first polymer and a second polymer, wherein the second polymer is more flexible than the first polymer. The second polymer extends distally from the metal tube distal end to define a second polymer flexible tip segment. The first polymer extends distally from the second polymer flexible tip segment end to define a flexible tip portion cap.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a medical device including a handle body, and an actuator for controlling an elevator at a distal portion of the medical device, the actuator including a contact portion including a first portion positioned exterior to the handle body and a second portion positioned within an interior portion of the handle body, and an interior body coupled to (i) the contact portion and (ii) a shaft within the handle body, wherein the actuator is configured to move across an exterior surface of the handle body between a first position and a second position, and the actuator is configured to move the elevator to a third position when the user moves the actuator to the first position, and move the elevator to a fourth position when the user moves the actuator to the second position.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with an electroanatomical mapping system, an elongated needle assembly having a distal energy emitter configured to be detectable by the electroanatomical mapping system, an energy-delivery assembly having at least one sensor configured to receive, at least in part, the distal energy emitter of the elongated needle assembly in such a way that the distal energy emitter and said at least one sensor are movable relative to each other. The apparatus includes a signal-interface assembly. The signal-interface assembly includes a signal-input section configured to be signal connectable to said at least one sensor of the energy-delivery assembly. A signal-output section is configured to be signal connectable to an input section of the electroanatomical mapping system.

Abstract: A medical assembly that includes a medical device including a handle having an actuator, a shaft extending distally from the handle, and a sensor at a distal end of the shaft. The distal end of the shaft is coupled to the actuator by a wire extending through the shaft, and the sensor is configured to measure data indicative of the distal end of the shaft moving from a first position to a second position. The actuator is configured to articulate the distal end of the shaft based on the data measured by the sensor to move the distal end from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a medical device is disclosed. The handle assembly may comprise a handle body including a first central longitudinal axis, a first connector portion coupled to a distal end of the handle body, and a shaft extending distally from the first connector portion, wherein a second central longitudinal axis of the shaft is offset from the first central longitudinal axis of the handle body.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a connector assembly for a medical device may comprise a sleeve configured to fixedly couple to a shaft of the medical device and rotatably couple to a handle of the medical device; a collar positioned around the sleeve and configured to couple to the sleeve such that collar (i) may move in a proximal and distal direction relative to sleeve and (ii) may rotate sleeve about a central longitudinal axis when the collar is rotated about the central longitudinal axis; and a biasing member. The connector assembly may be configured to transition between a neutral position and an engaged position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a needle for gaining access to the pericardial cavity of a heart. The needle includes an elongate member (e.g. a main shaft) defining a lumen and a side-port in fluid communication with the lumen; a blunt atraumatic tip for delivering energy for puncturing tissue; and a guiding surface (e.g. a ramp) for directing a device (e.g. a guidewire) through the side-port. The method includes using the needle for tenting a pericardium and delivering energy for puncturing the pericardium, and advancing a guidewire or other device through the needle and into the pericardial cavity.

Abstract: A lock for positioning a first medical device with respect to a second medical device includes a spacer for preventing advancement of the first medical device towards the second medical device. The spacer is movable between a lock position and an unlock position. In the lock position, the spacer is moved transverse to the longitudinal axis with respect to the unlock position. The lock further includes a rotary stop integral with the spacer for fixing the rotational position of the first medical device with respect to the second medical device. The lock further includes a clip integral with the spacer and removably securable to the first medical device in a first position to secure the spacer in the unlock position, and removably securable to the first medical device in a second position to secure the spacer in the lock position.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices for accessing body lumens. In an embodiment, a catheter may comprise a shaft comprising a proximal end, a distal end, an actuating portion proximal to the distal end, and a first lumen extending along a length of the shaft between the proximal and distal ends. A plurality of slots may be disposed and spaced-apart from each other along the actuating portion. The plurality of slots may extend radially into the first lumen.

Abstract: This invention relates to radiopaque polymers and to their use, particularly in the manufacture of medical devices and in methods of medical treatment, including therapeutic embolization. In particular embodiments the present disclosure relates to a hydrophilic polymer comprising pendent groups which a phenyl ring is substituted with one or more iodine groups and one or more non-iodine groups as described in more detail herein.

Abstract: The microcatheter may include an elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end. The elongated shaft may include an outer layer which may be formed from a polymer, a middle layer which may be formed of a braid having a plurality of strands having four filaments each, wherein the four filaments may be a round metal with an outer diameter of less than 0.0009”. The braid may achieve at least a 70% surface area coverage. The elongated shaft may include an inner layer which may be formed from a polymer, and a distal polymeric tip which may be attached to the distal end of the elongated shaft.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device for puncturing tissue comprises an electrically conductive elongate member which is capable of force transmission from a distal portion of the electrosurgical device to a proximal portion of the electrosurgical device to thereby provide tactile feedback to a user. The proximal portion comprises a connector system for connecting a source of energy and a source of fluid to an electrosurgical device. The connector system includes a hub which includes an electrically conductive lengthwise member having a lengthwise member distal region and a lengthwise member proximal region. The lengthwise member defines a hub lumen therebetween and is configured to be operatively coupled to an electrosurgical device.

Abstract: A system of medical devices includes a first medical device, a second medical device, an RLC circuit, a processor, and an output device. The first medical device includes an elongate member having a lumen. The second medical device includes a needle advanceable through the lumen. The RLC circuit includes an excitation voltage source, a resistor, a capacitor, an inductor, and an output voltage sensor. The inductor includes a coil that is supported by the first medical device and wound around the lumen. As the needle is advanced through the lumen, an output voltage of the RLC circuit is an indicator of a longitudinal position of the needle with respect to the elongate member. The voltage sensor is configured to sense the output voltage, and the processor and output device are configured to generate an output that is an indicator of the longitudinal position of the needle.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a handle assembly for a medical device may comprise a handle body; and an actuator for controlling a supply of air and a supply of liquid to the medical device. The actuator may comprise a button including a hole extending through a top surface of the button, and the hole may be offset from a center of the top surface of the button. The actuator may be configured to: supply air to the medical device when a user covers the hole; and/or supply liquid to the medical device when a user presses the button.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating a patient in need of therapy for prostate cancer comprising delivering a ?-radiation-emitting composition into the prostatic vasculature. In some embodiments, an absorbed dose of 60 Gy to 200 Gy is delivered to the prostate. In some embodiments, the ?-radiation-emitting composition is delivered into the arterial vasculature of the prostate via a catheter. In some embodiments, the ?-radiation-emitting composition comprises a suspension of the ?-radiation-emitting particles in an aqueous liquid.

Abstract: A linkage assembly for a medical device, may comprise a control lever, a rotatable member rotatable about a first axis, and a plurality of linkages including a first linkage, a second linkage, and a third linkage. The first linkage may include a first end coupled to the rotatable member and a second, opposite end coupled to a first end of the second linkage. The second linkage may include the first end coupled to the second end of the first linkage and a second, opposite end coupled to a first end of the third linkage, wherein the second linkage may be rotatable about a second axis parallel with the first axis. A second end of the third linkage may translate along a third axis, and the second axis is offset from the third axis.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a handle assembly for a medical device may comprise a handle body; and an actuator for controlling a supply of air and a supply of liquid to the medical device. The actuator may comprise a button including a lumen extending through the button; an interior body coupled to the button, wherein a first channel of the interior body is fluidically connected to the lumen; and an exterior body coupled to the handle body, wherein the interior body is received by the exterior body. The actuator is operable at a plurality of different positions along a circumference of the handle body, and the actuator is configured to: supply air to the medical device when a user covers the lumen; and/or supply liquid to the medical device when a user presses the button.

Abstract: A medical device comprising, a handle body, a flexible shaft coupled to a distal end of the handle body, a distal tip coupled to a distal end of the shaft and including a movable element, and an actuator coupled to the handle body and configured, upon actuation, to move the movable element, wherein the actuator includes a first contact element having outer contact surfaces each configured for contact by a finger of a user, each of the outer contact surfaces being at least one of angled and recessed relative to the other outer contact surfaces to provide a plurality of positions of contact between the finger and the actuator.

Abstract: A medical device is adapted to seal around elongate shafts of varying diameter therethrough. The medical device includes a plurality of elastomeric sealing members together defining a variable dimension aperture, a chuck body, and a chuck ring that is rotatably secured relative to the chuck body. The medical device is adapted such that rotating the chuck ring in a first direction causes the plurality of elastomeric sealing members to move closer together, thereby reducing a size of the variable dimension aperture, and rotating the chuck ring in a second direction causes the plurality of elastomeric sealing members to move farther apart, thereby increasing a size of the variable dimension aperture.