Abstract: A medical device having a marker for marking a marker position of the medical device includes a tube of the medical device; a radiopaque marking material to mark the marker position of the medical device; and wherein the radiopaque marking material is added by additive manufacturing in fluid from at the marker position of the medical device on the tube forming a solid radiopaque marker for increasing an X-ray opacity of the medical device in a radial direction. In particular, the tube can comprise fibers of a braided and/or coiled wire mesh and the method comprises the step of fixing with the marking material fibers of the braided and/or coiled wire mesh.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a jacket assembly includes providing a shaft, the shaft having a length; applying an extrudate using a material extrusion (MEX) machine, the MEX machine having a gantry that comprises at least one head; depositing the extrudate via the at least one head on at least a part of the shaft; moving the shaft such that the extrudate provides a jacket on at least a part of the shaft; and varying a type of the extrudate while depositing the extrudate. Further, a material extrusion (MEX) machine for manufacturing a jacket assembly that is configured to deposit an extrudate via at least one head is provided.

Abstract: A system providing a haptic feedback improving its functionality includes a haptic feedback device and communicates with a catheter. In operation, the haptic feedback device forms a strap and each of the plurality of actuating regions is arranged along a circumference a of the haptic feedback device. Further, in operation spatial information is transmitted from at least one of a plurality of sensing locations to the haptic feedback device and in accordance with the transmitted spatial information at least one of the plurality of actuating regions is actuated to provide the haptic feedback.

Abstract: A steerable catheter distal tip for performing sensor assisted navigation for a catheter assembly and a robotically assisted interventional device. The steerable catheter distal tip for performing sensor assisted navigation includes an ultrasonic transducer system arranged to surround a circumference of the catheter distal tip, wherein the ultrasonic transducer system is operable to generate distance signals indicative of distances between a plurality of sensing locations on the circumference of the catheter distal tip from walls of a cavity in which the catheter distal tip is located in operation; and a signal processing unit comprising a controller, which is operable to cause the catheter distal tip being steered along a defined navigation path based on the distance signals.

Abstract: An articulating shaft for a steerable catheter system includes a tubular body having a longitudinal central axis and at least one main lumen with a distal end and a proximal end. The shaft further includes at least one wire support element forming at least one wire lumen for supporting at least one actuating wire, the main lumen and the wire lumen are integrally formed in an extrusion part having a uniform hardness in an axial and a radial direction. A plurality of removed sections or cuts of the shaft extend in a radial direction and are distanced from each other in an axial direction.

Abstract: An articulating shaft for a steerable catheter system includes a tubular body and a plurality of wire support elements integrally formed from a single piece with the tubular body. The tubular body has a longitudinal central axis and a sealed lumen with a distal opening and a proximal opening. The wire support elements support an actuating wire. Each of the wire support elements has a feed-through opening receiving the actuating wire. A pair of adjacent wire support elements are separated from each other in an axial direction by a slot.

Abstract: A retention socket for retaining a prosthetic aortic valve in a delivery device includes a retention recess positioned on an external surface of the retention socket. The retention recess engaging with a paddle or other retention feature of the prosthetic aortic valve. The retention socket is rotatable relative to a longitudinal axis of the delivery device.

Abstract: An articulating shaft for a steerable catheter system includes a tubular body having a longitudinal central axis and at least one main lumen with a distal end and a proximal end. The shaft further includes at least one wire support element forming at least one wire lumen for supporting at least one actuating wire, the main lumen and the wire lumen are integrally formed in an extrusion part having a uniform hardness in an axial and a radial direction. A plurality of removed sections or cuts of the shaft extend in a radial direction and are distanced from each other in an axial direction.

Abstract: An articulating shaft for a steerable catheter system includes a tubular body and a plurality of wire support elements integrally formed from a single piece with the tubular body. The tubular body has a longitudinal central axis and a sealed lumen with a distal opening and a proximal opening. The wire support elements support an actuating wire. Each of the wire support elements has a feed-through opening receiving the actuating wire. A pair of adjacent wire support elements are separated from each other in an axial direction by a slot.

Abstract: A tube or skeleton for a steerable catheter includes a cylindrical body structured to permit bending in at least one bending direction and to resist bending in directions transverse to the bending direction. The cylindrical body may include a laser cut metal tube, wires bent and connected to one another, or one or more coiled wires with axial support wires attached to the coil to define one or more bending directions to form bending segments. The skeleton includes axially stiff portions that resist compression when a pull wire is pulled to cause bending movement. The axially stiff portions may include a backbone, an alignment of pivot structures, connected axially extending portions of wire elements, or axially extending support wires or rods. Two or more bending portions may be provided, each with different bending directions. Complex bending shapes may be provided by arranging the segments in rotated positions along the skeleton.

Abstract: An expandable introducer sheath for use in interventional procedures. The expandable introducer sheath can be inserted into a treatment vessel in a first unexpanded configuration. The expandable introducer sheath can expand in diameter during insertion of a device through its main lumen and can then re-collapse down to its unexpanded diameter. The device comprises an inner heat-set folded layer and an outer elastomeric layer. The outer elastomeric layer provides a barrier between the inner folded layer and a vessel wall during unfolding of the inner folded layer to minimize the risk of vessel trauma.

Abstract: In a transseptal crossing needle device for inserting an outer sheath through a septum, an inner dilator sheath is received within the outer sheath and a needle having a curved end portion adjacent a tip of a tip portion of the needle is provided, the needle being received in the inner dilator sheath. The needle tip portion comprises an angled transverse end surface terminating at said tip and slanting away from an inner concave curved wall of said inner sheath curved by the needle curved end portion, the needle tip being spaced not only away from said inner concave curved wall of said inner sheath but also away from an inner convex curved wall of said inner sheath opposite said concave wall to reduce or eliminate skiving of material from the concave and convex inner walls of the inner sheath.

Abstract: A tube or skeleton for a steerable catheter includes a cylindrical body structured to permit bending in at least one bending direction and to resist bending in directions transverse to the bending direction. The cylindrical body may include a laser cut metal tube, wires bent and connected to one another, or one or more coiled wires with axial support wires attached to the coil to define one or more bending directions to form bending segments. The skeleton includes axially stiff portions that resist compression when a pull wire is pulled to cause bending movement. The axially stiff portions may include a backbone, an alignment of pivot structures, connected axially extending portions of wire elements, or axially extending support wires or rods. Two or more bending portions may be provided, each with different bending directions. Complex bending shapes may be provided by arranging the segments in rotated positions along the skeleton.

Abstract: An expandable introducer sheath for use in interventional procedures. The expandable introducer sheath can be inserted into a treatment vessel in a first unexpanded configuration. The expandable introducer sheath can expand in diameter during insertion of a device through its main lumen and can then re-collapse down to its unexpanded diameter. The device comprises an inner heat-set folded layer and an outer elastomeric layer. The outer elastomeric layer provides a barrier between the inner folded layer and a vessel wall during unfolding of the inner folded layer to minimize the risk of vessel trauma.

Abstract: An end-to-end tubular joint includes first locking pieces cut from the first tube and second locking pieces cut from the second tube, where the cuts have radial cut faces on the axially aligned cuts. The first and second locking pieces are interlocked with lateral extensions of the respective locking pieces bearing against one another and the radial cut surfaces distributed circumferentially around the joint so as to constrain relative movement between the parts. The first locking pieces are welded to the first tube and the second locking pieces are welded to the second tube to form a tube joint. An alternative forms cutouts in the first tube and fits locking pieces into the cutouts that are welded to a second member, such as a second tube or cylinder that fits into the first tube so as to form the tube joint.

Abstract: A catheter design and method is provided for the aspiration of thrombus, clot, atherosclerotic emboli in the vascular bed. The aspiration catheter includes an aspiration lumen, a guidewire lumen having an exchange port, and a recess in the aspiration unit. The aspiration catheter lumen is divided into two sections: (i) proximal, and (ii) distal. The distal section has a distal opening.

Abstract: In a transseptal crossing needle device for inserting an outer sheath through a septum, an inner dilator sheath is received within the outer sheath and a needle having a curved end portion adjacent a tip of a tip portion of the needle is provided, the needle being received in the inner dilator sheath. The needle tip portion comprises an angled transverse end surface terminating at said tip and slanting away from an inner concave curved wall of said inner sheath curved by the needle curved end portion, the needle tip being spaced not only away from said inner concave curved wall of said inner sheath but also away from an inner convex curved wall of said inner sheath opposite said concave wall to reduce or eliminate skiving of material from the concave and convex inner walls of the inner sheath.

Abstract: An end-to-end tubular joint includes first locking pieces cut from the first tube and second locking pieces cut from the second tube, where the cuts have radial cut faces on the axially aligned cuts. The first and second locking pieces are interlocked with lateral extensions of the respective locking pieces bearing against one another and the radial cut surfaces distributed circumferentially around the joint so as to constrain relative movement between the parts. The first locking pieces are welded to the first tube and the second locking pieces are welded to the second tube to form a tube joint. An alternative forms cutouts in the first tube and fits locking pieces into the cutouts that are welded to a second member, such as a second tube or cylinder that fits into the first tube so as to form the tube joint.

Abstract: Disclosed is a unified set of golf clubs, from wood clubs through wedge clubs, in which loft and lie angles, face progression, and club lengths are coordinated and correlated. The center of gravity of each club is lower, further back and more centered on the club face than is usual. In addition, each golf club of the set features a sole width of at least 1.25 inches. The center of gravity of each club head is located no more than 0.7 inch above the sole and at least 0.5 inch from the centerline of the club shaft.The club heads of this invention may be fabricated as a hollow metal shell. Alternatively, the club heads may be formed of a low density, high strength material such as reaction injection molded polyurethane. In such an embodiment weighted inserts are molded into and encapsulated within the polyurethane.