Abstract: A delivery guidewire for navigating a catheter in the heart to deliver a valve prosthesis. The delivery guidewire comprising an elongated core, an outer sleeve disposed on the elongated core, and a coil disposed on a distal portion of the elongated core. The delivery guidewire having a first section having a generally uniform diameter and a second section having a tapering section. A distal portion of the second section of the delivery guidewire comprises a pigtail shape atraumatic tip which can remain in the left ventricle.

Abstract: A medical instrument can have an elongated shaft, at least three bending stiffness zones arranged along a length of the elongated shaft, and at least two transition zones that have a variable bending stiffness extending over a length thereof. Each bending stiffness zone can have a bending stiffness that extends over a length of the bending stiffness zone. The variable bending stiffness of each transition zone can vary from a first bending stiffness on a first side of the transition zone to a second bending stiffness on a second side of the transition zone.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes devices, systems, and methods for intravascularly delivering an implantable device to a targeted anatomical site such as the mitral annulus. A delivery system includes a delivery member coupled to a handle assembly and extending distally from the handle assembly. A delivery catheter is concentrically positioned within an outer member and configured to advance the intravascular device relative to the outer member. The delivery catheter includes a distal can structure configured to house at least a portion of the intravascular device in a compressed, pre-deployed position.

Abstract: Medical instruments with variable bending stiffness profiles are disclosed. A medical instrument can include a bending stiffness profile comprising a plurality of bending stiffness zones of substantially constant bending stiffness separated by transition zones. The bending stiffness profile can be achieved by modulating various modalities of the medical instrument along its length. A compound medical instrument can include a scope telescoping within a sheath. A variable bending stiffness profile of the compound medical instrument can be modulated by adjusting the relative position of the scope and the sheath.

Abstract: A delivery guidewire for navigating a catheter in the heart to deliver a valve prosthesis. The delivery guidewire comprising an elongated core, an outer sleeve disposed on the elongated core, and a coil disposed on a distal portion of the elongated core. The delivery guidewire having a first section having a generally uniform diameter and a second section having a tapering section. A distal portion of the second section of the delivery guidewire comprises a pigtail shape atraumatic tip which can remain in the left ventricle.

Abstract: Medical instruments with variable bending stiffness profiles are disclosed. A medical instrument can include a bending stiffness profile comprising a plurality of bending stiffness zones of substantially constant bending stiffness separated by transition zones. The bending stiffness profile can be achieved by modulating various modalities of the medical instrument along its length. A compound medical instrument can include a scope telescoping within a sheath. A variable bending stiffness profile of the compound medical instrument can be modulated by adjusting the relative position of the scope and the sheath.