Abstract: An expandable dilator for use with an expandable sheath includes a shaft having a tapered distal tip, a body, a proximal end, and a lumen extending longitudinally from the distal tip to the proximal end. The expandable dilator includes an expansion mechanism extending radially outward from the outer surface of the shaft. When the expandable dilator is withdrawn proximally into the expandable sheath, the expansion mechanism engages the distal end of the sheath and expands the sheath as the expansion mechanism moves proximally through the sheath.

Abstract: An introducer sheath for use in delivering a device includes a hub, an elongate shaft including a proximal end region connected to the hub, a distal end region and a lumen extending therethrough. Further contemplated is a distal tip anchor that may be disposed proximate the distal end region. The distal tip anchor may have a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The hub may include an actuation element operatively connected to the distal tip anchor such that actuation of the actuation element may deploy the distal tip anchor into the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A percutaneous circulatory support system may include a blood pump. The blood pump may include an impeller assembly with an impeller housing having a first central axis. The blood pump may include a motor housing having a second central axis. A magnetic assembly may magnetically couple the impeller assembly with the motor assembly. A flexible connector may couple the impeller housing with the motor housing. The magnetic assembly may bias the impeller housing and the motor housing to a first configuration with the first central axis aligned with the second central axis.

Abstract: A system for cutting at least one valve leaflet of a heart valve having multiple valve leaflets includes an elongate shaft, an expandable balloon coupled to the elongate shaft, an expandable framework disposed radially outward of the expandable balloon, and at least one electrode disposed on the expandable framework. The expandable balloon is configured to shift between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration, and the expandable framework is configured to shift between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. When the expandable framework is in the expanded configuration, the at least one electrode is configured to cut the at least one valve leaflet.

Abstract: A medical device may be used for lacerating valve leaflets and includes an elongate shaft extending proximally from a distal region, an expandable element that is secured within the distal region and is movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, and a conductive member including an electrocautery electrode portion extending over the expandable element. The electrocautery electrode portion has a first length when the expandable element is in the collapsed configuration and a second length greater than the first length when the expandable element is in its expanded configuration. The conductive member is adapted to return the electrocautery electrode portion to the first length when the expandable element returns to the collapsed configuration.

Abstract: A medical device for cutting valve leaflets includes an elongate shaft that extends proximally from a deflectable distal region, where the deflectable distal region includes a distal end and the deflectable distal region includes a biased configuration. A piercing is electrode disposed relative to the distal end and is adapted to pierce through a valve leaflet. A lacerating electrode is spaced from the piercing electrode and is adapted to lacerate the valve leaflet subsequent to the piercing electrode piercing the valve leaflet. The piercing electrode and the lacerating electrode are independently energized.

Abstract: An expandable dilator for use with an expandable sheath includes a shaft having a tapered distal tip, a body, a proximal end, and a lumen extending longitudinally from the distal tip to the proximal end. The expandable dilator includes an expansion mechanism extending radially outward from the outer surface of the shaft. When the expandable dilator is withdrawn proximally into the expandable sheath, the expansion mechanism engages the distal end of the sheath and expands the sheath as the expansion mechanism moves proximally through the sheath.

Abstract: A medical device for lacerating valve leaflets includes an elongate shaft extending proximally from a distal region and an expandable element rotatably secured to the distal region, the expandable element is movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. An electrocautery electrode is supported by the expandable element, the electrocautery electrode is urged in an outward direction when the expandable element is in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: An access system for accessing a patient's vasculature includes an introducer sheath that is adapted to extend into an interior of a blood vessel through an opening formed in a wall of the blood vessel in order to provide access to the interior of the blood vessel. A deployable graft is disposed relative to the distal region of the introducer sheath. One or more positioning elements are releasably secured to the deployable graft and extend proximally therefrom such that exerting a force on the one or more positioning elements causes the deployable graft to move proximally within the interior of the blood vessel to a position in which the deployable graft spans the opening formed in the wall of the blood vessel. An outer jacket releasably secures the deployable graft in position relative to the introducer sheath.

Abstract: A hub and sheath assembly configured to increase the flow of fluid through a lumen, such as vessel. The hub and sheath assembly may comprise a valve hub including a lumen extending therethrough, an elongate shaft extending from a proximal end region to a distal end region and including a lumen extending therebetween, the elongate shaft coupled to the valve hub, and an expandable frame extending around an outer surface of the elongate shaft, the expandable frame extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The expandable frame may be configured to move between a radially collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration.

Abstract: A hub and sheath assembly configured to selectively fluidly couple a lumen of the sheath with an exterior thereof. The hub and sheath assembly may comprise a valve hub including a lumen extending therethrough. An elongate shaft may extend from a proximal end region to a distal end region and include a lumen extending therebetween. The elongate shaft may be coupled to the valve hub. A fluid bypass mechanism may extend through a sidewall of the elongate shaft. The fluid bypass mechanism may be configured to selectively fluidly couple the lumen of the elongate shaft with an exterior thereof.

Abstract: A hub and sheath assembly configured to be releasably disposed over a medical device. The hub and sheath assembly may comprise a valve hub including a first body portion, a second body portion, and a lumen extending therethrough and an elongate shaft including a lumen and a seam. The lumen and the seam may extend from a proximal end to a distal end of the elongate shaft. The elongate shaft may be releasably coupled to the valve hub. The seam may be movable from an interlocked configuration configured to hold the elongate shaft in a generally tubular configuration and an open configuration defining an opening extending along a length of elongate shaft.

Abstract: A device for aiding in recapturing a medical device may include an elongate shaft and an expandable sheath extension coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft. The expandable sheath extension may be laterally offset from the elongate shaft and may be self-biased toward a radially collapsed configuration. A system for deploying and recapturing a medical device may include a deployment catheter including an elongate tubular member having a lumen configured to slidably receive a medical device, and a device for aiding in recapturing the medical device after the medical device has been deployed. The elongate shaft may be configured to slidably advance the expandable sheath extension through the lumen to a guiding position wherein a proximal end of the expandable sheath extension is disposed within the lumen and a distal end of the expandable sheath extension is disposed distal of the elongate tubular member.

Abstract: An expandable dilator for use with an expandable sheath includes a shaft having a tapered distal tip, a body, a proximal end, and a lumen extending longitudinally from the distal tip to the proximal end. The expandable dilator includes an expansion mechanism extending radially outward from the outer surface of the shaft. When the expandable dilator is withdrawn proximally into the expandable sheath, the expansion mechanism engages the distal end of the sheath and expands the sheath as the expansion mechanism moves proximally through the sheath.

Abstract: A sheath with an expandable and reducible diameter includes a body having a lumen and that is movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. The body has a first diameter size in the first configuration that is smaller than a second diameter size in the second configuration. The body includes a shaft made from a first material and a wire made from a second material.