Abstract: A steerable catheter system to perform a transseptal puncture procedure comprises a steerable catheter shaft with at least one inner lumen, and an inner element slidably positioned within a shaft lumen, wherein the distal tip of the shaft can be deflected, counter-deflected, rotated, and counter-rotated and wherein the inner element can be deployed or retracted. In one embodiment, a single steerable catheter is capable of performing an intended procedure and a transseptal procedure all in one, wherein the catheter comprises an outer steerable catheter and an inner element which can be deployed to perform a transseptal puncture, and wherein, once the inner element crosses the inter-atrial septum, the catheter itself can slide forward without advancement of the inner element.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for forming a loop in a wire that is particularly suited for attaching a wire to a ceiling suspension bracket and allow free swinging movement of the wire on the bracket. The apparatus includes a wire storage and feed bin, support for each wire during the loop forming, a twist member, a control head that moves the wire to form a bend, a drive that rotates the twist member through a selected number of revolutions to twist the bend to form the loop, coils and a tail in the wire. Surface portions of the control head confine the movement of the wire during the formation of the coils and loop. A control circuit for the drive motor causes the motor to turn only a selected number of revolutions to form a selected number of coils. A final positioning assembly causes the twist member to stop at the same position after each loop forming operation.