Abstract: A catheter may include an elongate body including a proximal portion including a proximal end, and a distal tip portion. The distal tip portion may include an inner liner and a marker band circumferentially surrounding the inner liner. The distal tip portion also may include an outer jacket circumferentially surrounding a first portion of the inner liner and ending proximal of a proximal end of the marker band; and a tip outer jacket circumferentially surrounding a second portion of the inner liner and the marker band. The tip outer jacket extends distally past the marker band distal end to a distal tip of the elongate body, and a proximal end of the tip outer jacket may be laterally adjacent to a distal end of the outer jacket.

Abstract: In some examples, a catheter may include an elongate body and a push assembly. The elongate body may include an inner liner defining an entry port into a lumen defined by the elongate body, and an outer jacket. The push assembly may an anchor member positioned at a distal end of an elongate member. Distal to a proximal end of the elongate body, a first portion of the push assembly, comprising the anchor member, may be positioned between a portion of the inner liner and a portion of the outer jacket. The anchor member may extend only partially around an outer perimeter of the inner liner when the catheter is assembled. Proximal to the proximal end of the elongate body, a second portion of the push assembly, proximal to the first portion, may be positioned outside of the outer jacket and the inner liner.

Abstract: A catheter may include an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and defining a lumen; a push member mechanically coupled to the proximal end of the elongate body; and a slidable push grip disposed about an outer perimeter of the push member. The slidable push grip is controllably engageable with the push member. When the slidable push grip is in an engaged state with the push member, the slidable push grip transmits an axial force to the push member to enable the push member to transmit the axial force to the elongate body. When the slidable push grip is in a disengaged state with the push member, the slidable push grip is movable axially in at least one direction along a length of the push member while transmitting substantially no axial force to the push member.

Abstract: A delivery system for an implantable medical device includes a tool and a tethering member extending side-by-side within an inner shaft thereof; the tool extends within a first lumen, being in sliding engagement therein, and includes a distal end coupling feature that protrudes from a distal end of the inner shaft; and the tethering member has a first segment extending within a second lumen, and a second segment extending from the first segment and distally from the distal end of the inner shaft to an end of the tethering member, which is configured to engage with a holding member of the device, and with which the coupling feature of the tool is configured to couple. A retainer may be joined to another end of the tethering member that protrudes from a proximal port of the system.

Abstract: A guide extension catheter includes a proximal shaft, a distal shaft, and a plurality of perfusion openings. The distal shaft includes a jacket and a helical coil structure embedded in the jacket, the distal shaft defining a lumen. The plurality of perfusion openings are disposed though the jacket of the distal shaft between windings of the helical coil structure. The guide extension catheter provides additional back support to the guide catheter. The plurality of perfusion openings allow fluid communication between an area outside the guide extension catheter and the lumen.

Abstract: A catheter for measuring a fractional flow reserve includes a proximal shaft, a distal shaft coupled to a distal portion of the proximal shaft, and a pressure sensor coupled to the distal shaft. The proximal shaft includes a distal portion configured to extend through a stenosis in a vessel. The distal portion of the proximal shaft includes a radially expanded configuration having a first diameter and a radially collapsed configuration having a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. The distal shaft includes a guidewire lumen configured to receive therein.

Abstract: A catheter for measuring a fractional flow reserve includes a proximal shaft, a distal shaft coupled to the proximal shaft, a pressure sensor coupled to the distal shaft, and at least one pressure sensor wire operably connected to the pressure sensor. The proximal shaft includes a radially expanded configuration and a radially collapsed configuration, wherein the proximal shaft has a first outer diameter in the radially expanded configuration and a second outer diameter smaller than the first outer diameter in the radially collapsed configuration. The distal shaft defines a guidewire lumen configured to receive a guidewire therein.

Abstract: A processing system received data from a Fractional Flow Reserve device and communicates data to a conventional hemodynamic monitoring system having pressure displays. The processing system receives proximal pressure measurement signal from an aortic pressure measurement device and a distal pressure measurement signal from a distal pressure measurement device. A processor computes an FFR ratio from the proximal pressure measurement signal and the distal pressure measurement signal, and converts FFR ratio to a pressure format such that the FFR ratio reads on the conventional hemodynamic monitoring system as a pressure in units of pressure. The processing system transmits the proximal pressure measurement signal, the distal pressure measurement signal, and the FFR ratio in pressure format to the conventional hemodynamic monitoring system.

Abstract: A catheter is disclosed for providing a pressure measurement at a vascular lesion. The catheter includes a tubular component having dual lumens along at least a segment thereof in which a first lumen acts as a pressure inlet and a second lumen allows the catheter to be tracked over a guidewire. A plurality of openings are located along a distal segment of the tubular component that permit blood flow into the first lumen when disposed in vivo. A pressure sensor is located within a handle component of the catheter or within the tubular component to be in fluid communication with a proximal end of the first lumen. When the catheter is positioned at the vascular lesion, the first lumen fills with blood via the plurality of openings such that the pressure sensor is able to sense a pressure of the blood at a distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: Transcatheter delivery systems, delivery catheters and associated methods for percutaneous delivery of prosthetic mitral valves using a retrograde approach are disclosed herein. A heart valve delivery system configured in accordance herewith includes a delivery catheter having an elongated tubular component and an articulation assembly at a distal end thereof. The articulation assembly includes an arm portion coupled to the tubular component by an elbow or hinge portion. In a closed, delivery state, the elbow portion positions the arm portion generally parallel to the tubular component for delivery of the delivery catheter through the vasculature. In an open, deployed state, the elbow portion positions the arm portion in a non-axial direction with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tubular component for orienting and positioning a prosthetic valve device carried by the arm portion, e.g., within the native mitral valve region.

Abstract: A catheter is disclosed for providing pressure measurements at a vascular lesion. The catheter includes an outer component having a side opening the providing transverse access to a lumen thereof and an inner component slidably disposed within the lumen. The inner component has a guidewire lumen with a proximal side port. When the inner component is longitudinally translated relative to the outer component, the side port of the inner component is accessible through the side opening of the outer component for providing transverse access to a guidewire. A first pressure sensor is disposed proximate of a distal end of the outer component and a second pressure sensor is disposed proximate of a distal end of the inner component, such that relative longitudinal translation between the inner and outer components permits a distance between the first and second pressure sensors to be varied.

Abstract: A selectively attachable and removable visual and tactile assessment tool or clip for use with a mobile device is provided. Clip is an elongate member forming a curvilinear shape having a magnifying lens at a distal end thereof. Clip has a transparent tubular member disposed between first and second openings through the body portion of the clip. Tubular member has varying internal diameters to simulate, for example, the constriction or stenosis of a patient's vessel lumen. Once clip is attached to mobile device and the magnifying lens is positioned over the camera of the mobile device, a catheter is inserted through tubular member. The magnifying lens enlarges the size of the catheter displayed on the screen of the mobile device.

Abstract: Embodiments hereof relate to methods and systems for determining a pressure gradient across a lesion of a vessel without requiring the use of a pharmacological hyperemic agent. A measurement system includes at least an injection catheter and a pressure-sensing instrument or guidewire slidingly disposed through the catheter, the pressure-sensing guidewire including at least one pressure sensor configured to obtain a pressure measurement for use in determining the pressure gradient across the lesion. The catheter is configured to deliver or inject a non-pharmacological fluid, such as saline or blood, across the lesion in order to increase a flow rate there-through, thereby simulating hyperemia without the use of a pharmacological hyperemic agent. Once an increased flow rate that simulates hyperemia is achieved, the pressure sensor of the pressure-sensing guidewire may be utilized to measure the pressure gradient across the lesion in order to assess the severity of the lesion.

Abstract: A delivery system for an implantable medical device includes a tool and a tethering member extending side-by-side within an inner shaft thereof; the tool extends within a first lumen, being in sliding engagement therein, and includes a distal end coupling feature that protrudes from a distal end of the inner shaft; and the tethering member has a first segment extending within a second lumen, and a second segment extending from the first segment and distally from the distal end of the inner shaft to an end of the tethering member, which is configured to engage with a holding member of the device, and with which the coupling feature of the tool is configured to couple. A retainer may be joined to another end of the tethering member that protrudes from a proximal port of the system.

Abstract: A guide extension catheter includes a proximal shaft, a distal shaft, and a plurality of perfusion openings. The distal shaft includes a jacket and a helical coil structure embedded in the jacket, the distal shaft defining a lumen. The plurality of perfusion openings are disposed though the jacket of the distal shaft between windings of the helical coil structure. The guide extension catheter provides additional back support to the guide catheter. The plurality of perfusion openings allow fluid communication between an area outside the guide extension catheter and the lumen.

Abstract: A processing system received data from a Fractional Flow Reserve device and communicates data to a conventional hemodynamic monitoring system having pressure displays. The processing system receives proximal pressure measurement signal from an aortic pressure measurement device and a distal pressure measurement signal from a distal pressure measurement device. A processor computes an FFR ratio from the proximal pressure measurement signal and the distal pressure measurement signal, and converts FFR ratio to a pressure format such that the FFR ratio reads on the conventional hemodynamic monitoring system as a pressure in units of pressure. The processing system transmits the proximal pressure measurement signal, the distal pressure measurement signal, and the FFR ratio in pressure format to the conventional hemodynamic monitoring system.

Abstract: A selectively attachable and removable visual and tactile assessment tool or clip for use with a mobile device is provided. Clip is an elongate member forming a curvilinear shape having a magnifying lens at a distal end thereof. Clip has a transparent tubular member disposed between first and second openings through the body portion of the clip. Tubular member has varying internal diameters to simulate, for example, the constriction or stenosis of a patient's vessel lumen. Once clip is attached to mobile device and the magnifying lens is positioned over the camera of the mobile device, a catheter is inserted through tubular member. The magnifying lens enlarges the size of the catheter displayed on the screen of the mobile device.

Abstract: Delivery systems for delivering medical devices and prosthetic heart valves in a patient's body are disclosed. The delivery system may include a catheter-based delivery system. The delivery system may include a tip, a capsule, an inner sheath, and a projection. The delivery system may include an outer sheath and a handle. The delivery system may be configured to be actuated via an actuator disposed on the handle. The projection may include an arm portion and a feeler portion. The feeler portion may include an indentation. The delivery system may be configured to correctly position a medical device or prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: An example of an implantable neuromodulation device includes a bioabsorbable electrode and an elongate bioabsorbable support structure carrying the electrode. The support structure is configured to expand in a direction perpendicular to its length so as to move the electrode into contact with a wall of a naturally occurring lumen of a human patient. The electrode is electrically activatable to modulate a nerve within tissue at or otherwise proximate to the wall of the lumen. An example of a neuromodulation method using the neuromodulation device includes locating the neuromodulation device at a treatment site within the lumen and deploying the neuromodulation device into an expanded treatment state at the treatment site. The method further includes reducing obstruction of blood flow through the lumen after deploying the neuromodulation device and then wirelessly energizing the electrode from an extracorporeal energy source.

Abstract: A catheter includes an elongate shaft including a proximal portion and a distal portion extending from the proximal portion to a distal opening at a distal end of the shaft. The proximal portion defines a proximal guidewire lumen and has a first outer diameter. The distal portion defines a distal guidewire lumen in communication with the proximal guidewire lumen and has a second outer diameter smaller than the first outer diameter. A pressure sensor is coupled to the proximal portion such that the pressure sensor faces the proximal guidewire lumen. When the catheter is tracked to a treatment site within the vasculature, the pressure sensor is disposed proximal the treatment site, the distal opening is disposed distal to the treatment site, and the distal guidewire lumen fills with blood such that the pressure sensor senses a pressure of the blood at the distal end of the shaft.