Abstract: A medical device may comprise a handle having at least one actuator, a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end connected to the handle, and a distal assembly connected to the distal end of the shaft, the distal assembly including an end effector. The handle may be configured so that a single hand of a user can operate the at least one actuator to (1) actuate the end effector, (2) rotate the end effector relative to the shaft, and (3) articulate a distal portion of the shaft.

Abstract: A medical device for insertion into a body may include a handle assembly including a handle body and a ball joint; a sensor assembly configured to electronically communicate with a magnet; a body extending longitudinally from the handle assembly; an articulation portion coupled to a distal end of the body, wherein the articulation portion includes a magnetic material; and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the articulation portion. The articulation portion may be configured to move upon application of a magnetic field from the magnet.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a handle extending between a first end and a second end, a first actuator coupled to the first end of the handle, a first shaft coupled to the second end of the handle, and a second shaft extending from the first shaft, the second shaft including a first articulation section and a second articulation section, wherein an articulation of the first actuator relative to the handle is configured to articulate the first articulation section, an articulation of the handle relative to the first shaft is configured to articulate the second articulation section, and the first articulation section and the second articulation section are restricted to articulating only in a first plane.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for puncturing tissue, comprising a puncture device for puncturing tissue and a supporting member for supporting the puncture device. The puncture device is capable of being insertable within the supporting member and being selectively usable in co-operation therewith during a portion of a procedure for puncturing tissue and wherein the puncture device is usable independently therefrom during another portion of the procedure. The puncture device comprises visual or tactile markers for determining the relative positioning between puncture device and supporting member.

Abstract: A tissue-engagement member having a pair of jaws movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, an actuator movable to shift the jaws between the closed and open configurations, and a biasing element biasing the jaws into a closed configuration. The biasing element may be provided over a portion of the tissue-engagement member. A cam mechanism may be provided in operative association with at least one of the jaws and/or the actuator. The biasing element may operatively engage at least one of the jaws and/or the actuator to actuate the cam mechanism to return the jaws to a closed configuration from an open configuration. A manipulator having an actuator-engagement element may be provided to engage an actuation element operatively associated with the actuator. The actuator-engagement element may operatively engage the actuation element in a range of orientations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for an optimized transseptal procedure for providing left heart access, that reduces the number of devices that are used in order to minimize procedural time, complexity and cost. The apparatus comprises a hybrid dilator that comprises the combined functionality of a transseptal sheath and dilator assembly. The hybrid dilator comprises: a dilator shaft defining a lumen for receiving a crossing device therethrough, the dilator shaft being structured to provide support for the crossing device when the crossing device is used to create a puncture in a tissue; and a distal tip having an outer diameter which tapers down to an outer diameter of the crossing device for providing a smooth transition between the crossing device and the distal tip when the crossing device is inserted through the lumen and protrudes beyond the distal tip.

Abstract: Embodiments of medical devices and methods are disclosed. The medical devices typically comprises an elongate member with a proximal region and a distal region. The distal region comprises a flexible portion that is more flexible than the proximal region of the medical device. The flexible region includes gaps in the sidewall of the elongate member. Furthermore, the medical device comprises a rigid energy delivery device at the distal end which is configured to deliver energy to tissue when energy is supplied to the energy delivery device. In some embodiments, the medical device comprises a support spine configured to provide support to the flexible portion of the elongate member.

Abstract: A handle of a medical device may comprise an actuator; a lock movable relative to the actuator and having a feature movable relative to the actuator; and a rack having plurality of teeth separated from one another by a plurality of gaps. The lock may be configured to move the feature from (a) a first configuration, in which the feature is disposed in the gap, between two of the plurality of teeth, such that the two teeth inhibit the actuator from rotating; to (b) a second configuration, in which the feature is disposed outside of the gap, such that the actuator is rotatable. In the second configuration, the teeth may be disposed between the feature and the actuator.