Abstract: A guide catheter is adapted for providing improved backup support while accessing an ostium of a patient's left coronary artery. The guide catheter includes an elongate shaft having a proximal shaft portion and a power zone shaft portion. The elongate shaft includes an inner polymeric layer extending through the proximal shaft portion and the power zone shaft portion, and outer polymeric layer, and a braid that is disposed between the inner polymeric layer and the outer polymeric layer and extends through the proximal shaft portion and the power zone shaft portion, the braid having a first PIC count within the power zone shaft portion and a second PIC count within the proximal shaft portion. The elongate shaft is biased into a primary curve disposed distal of the power zone shaft portion and a coplanar secondary curve disposed within the power zone shaft portion.

Abstract: A catheter tip shaping system includes a catheter, and a tip shaping tool. The tip shaping tool includes a body having a first end and a second end, a first pin, a second pin, and a third pin, wherein the first, second, and third pins are positioned at the first end of the body and extend from a first face of the body. A distal end region of the catheter may be configured to be positioned between a gap between the first, second, and third pins such that the tip shaping tool can be manipulated by a user to invoke a curvature in the distal end region of the catheter.

Abstract: A catheter includes an elongated tubular shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending therethrough. The elongated tubular shaft includes a polymeric outer layer, a polymeric inner layer, and a braided middle layer. A marker band is positioned adjacent the distal end of the elongated tubular shaft and may surround the middle layer, and a polymeric distal tip is attached to the distal end of the elongated tubular shaft. A distal end of the outer layer terminates proximal to the marker band such that the middle layer includes an exposed region that is exposed from the outer layer between the distal end of the outer layer and a proximal end of the marker band, and the distal tip is formed over the exposed region of the middle layer and the marker band, and extends distally beyond the distal end of the elongated tubular shaft.

Abstract: A catheter system which provides adjustability of the length of the guidewire extending distally from the distal tip of the catheter and/or allows the guidewire to be secured relative to the catheter hub to allow the guidewire and the catheter to be steered simultaneously. The catheter system may include a catheter having an elongate shaft defining a catheter lumen, a hub assembly coupled to the proximal end of the elongate shaft and including a hub assembly lumen, a torque assembly releasably coupled to the hub assembly and including a torque assembly lumen, and a guidewire co-axially disposed within the catheter lumen, hub assembly lumen, and torque assembly lumen. In a first configuration the torque assembly may be configured to simultaneously torque the elongate shaft and the guidewire and in a second configuration the torque assembly may be configured to torque the guidewire independent of the elongate shaft.

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: Hemostasis valves and methods for making and using hemostasis valves are disclosed. An example hemostasis valve may include a main body having a distal end region and a proximal end region. A first seal member may be disposed within the proximal end region of the main body. A cartridge may be at least partially disposed within the proximal end region of the main body. The cartridge may include a second seal member. A plunger may be coupled to the proximal end region of the main body. A rotation limiting member may be positioned adjacent to the proximal end region of the main body. A tab member may be positioned adjacent to the proximal end region of the main body. The tab member may be designed to rotate relative to the proximal end region of the main body until the tab member engages the rotation limiting member.

Abstract: Hemostasis valves and methods for making and using hemostasis valves are disclosed. An example hemostasis valve may include a main body having a distal end region and a proximal end region. A first seal member may be disposed within the proximal end region of the main body. A cartridge may be at least partially disposed within the proximal end region of the main body. The cartridge may include a second seal member. A plunger may be coupled to the proximal end region of the main body. A rotation limiting member may be positioned adjacent to the proximal end region of the main body. A tab member may be positioned adjacent to the proximal end region of the main body. The tab member may be designed to rotate relative to the proximal end region of the main body until the tab member engages the rotation limiting member.