Abstract: The present invention is directed to variations of catheter configurations, wherein the outer shafts have been supplemented with electroactive polymer (EAP) material to modify the performance characteristics of the catheter.

Abstract: A catheter comprising an outer shaft comprising a first section of electroactive polymer. The first section of electroactive polymer affecting either the flexibility of the catheter or the steerability of the catheter.

Abstract: Described herein are medical balloons which contain one or more material regions that are configured to cause the balloons to preferentially fold into predetermined orientations upon deflation.

Abstract: A tubular transition member having an annular wall with at least one cut extending through the annular wall is disclosed for controlling a transition in stiffness of a catheter from a stiffer more pushable proximal section to a more flexible and trackable distal section and increasing kink resistance. The transition member may extend across the junction formed between the stiffer proximal section and the more flexible distal section. The transition member may be used in conjunction with any type of catheter including single-operator-exchange type catheters, over-the wire type catheters, and/or fixed-wire type catheters.