Abstract: In some examples, a catheter includes an elongated body comprising proximal and distal portions. The distal portion of the elongated body comprises an inner liner that includes a proximal liner section and a distal liner section that include different materials, and an outer jacket positioned over the inner liner. The distal liner section has a first hardness and the proximal liner section has a second hardness, where the first hardness is less than the second hardness.

Abstract: In some examples, a catheter may include a catheter body, a first expandable member, and a second expandable member. The catheter body may define a first lumen, a second lumen, a delivery port, and a surface extending from the delivery port into the first lumen. The first lumen may define a first central longitudinal axis. The second lumen may define a second central longitudinal axis spaced from the first central longitudinal axis in a direction orthogonal to the second central longitudinal axis. The delivery port may be in fluid communication with the first lumen. The surface extending from the delivery port into the first surface may be oriented at an obtuse or acute angle relative to the first central longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A handle assembly for operating an articulatable surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing; an actuation shaft translatably and rotatably supported in the housing; a first trigger supported on the housing and connected to the actuation shaft, the first trigger being configured to translate the actuation shaft to operate a first function of the surgical instrument; a second trigger supported on the housing and connected to the actuation shaft, the second trigger being configured to rotate the actuation shaft to operate a second function of the surgical instrument; and a second-trigger release supported in the housing, the second-trigger release having a first position blocking actuation of the second trigger and a second position permitting actuation of the second trigger, where the second-trigger release is actuated from the first position to the second position upon and complete actuation of the first trigger.

Abstract: A handle assembly for operating an articulatable surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing; an actuation shaft translatably and rotatably supported in the housing; a first trigger supported on the housing and connected to the actuation shaft, the first trigger being configured to translate the actuation shaft to operate a first function of the surgical instrument; a second trigger supported on the housing and connected to the actuation shaft, the second trigger being configured to rotate the actuation shaft to operate a second function of the surgical instrument; and a second-trigger release supported in the housing, the second-trigger release having a first position blocking actuation of the second trigger and a second position permitting actuation of the second trigger, where the second-trigger release is actuated from the first position to the second position upon and complete actuation of the first trigger.

Abstract: A handle assembly for operating an articulatable surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing; an actuation shaft translatably and rotatably supported in the housing; a first trigger supported on the housing and connected to the actuation shaft, the first trigger being configured to translate the actuation shaft to operate a first function of the surgical instrument; a second trigger supported on the housing and connected to the actuation shaft, the second trigger being configured to rotate the actuation shaft to operate a second function of the surgical instrument; and a second-trigger release supported in the housing, the second-trigger release having a first position blocking actuation of the second trigger and a second position permitting actuation of the second trigger, where the second-trigger release is actuated from the first position to the second position upon and complete actuation of the first trigger.

Abstract: A handle assembly for operating an articulatable surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing; an actuation shaft translatably and rotatably supported in the housing; a first trigger supported on the housing and connected to the actuation shaft, the first trigger being configured to translate the actuation shaft to operate a first function of the surgical instrument; a second trigger supported on the housing and connected to the actuation shaft, the second trigger being configured to rotate the actuation shaft to operate a second function of the surgical instrument; and a second-trigger release supported in the housing, the second-trigger release having a first position blocking actuation of the second trigger and a second position permitting actuation of the second trigger, where the second-trigger release is actuated from the first position to the second position upon and complete actuation of the first trigger.

Abstract: A steerable catheter having a shaft with one or more internal stiffeners coextruded within the shaft along a portion of its length. The internal stiffeners have a higher or lower hardness than the body of the catheter shaft. The overall stiffness of the shaft varies along its length for improved steerability.

Abstract: A steerable catheter having a shaft with one or more internal stiffeners coextruded within the shaft along a portion of its length. The internal stiffeners have a higher or lower hardness than the body of the catheter shaft. The overall stiffness of the shaft varies along its length for improved steerability.

Abstract: A brake assembly for a steerable catheter that allows both dynamic locking and swapping between a locked mode of operation and an unlocked mode of operation is described. Dynamic locking enables fine adjustment of the catheter shaft position, while swapping between modes results in a more multipurpose catheter. Generally, the brake assembly includes a brake shoe positioned for slidable movement between a locked position contacting the steering dial and an unlocked position not contacting the steering dial. At least one spring biases the brake shoe toward the locked position. A catheter including a brake assembly is also described.

Abstract: An autoclavable flexible fiberscope for remote visualization. A flexible fiberscope shaft including a number of flexible fiberoptic image-transmitting fibers is attached to a video coupler for connection to a video camera or other external video device. High-temperature materials of fabrication and high-temperature seals are provided to resist damage during autoclave sterilization.

Abstract: A brake assembly for a steerable catheter that allows both dynamic locking and swapping between a locked mode of operation and an unlocked mode of operation is described. Dynamic locking enables fine adjustment of the catheter shaft position, while swapping between modes results in a more multipurpose catheter. Generally, the brake assembly includes a brake shoe positioned for slidable movement between a locked position contacting the steering dial and an unlocked position not contacting the steering dial. At least one spring biases the brake shoe toward the locked position. A catheter including a brake assembly is also described.

Abstract: A steerable catheter having a tip assembly including bridged steering wire sleeves. A bridged steering wire sleeve element is provided for the tip assembly. The bridged steering wire sleeve element has a first sleeve engaged within a first steering wire lumen of the catheter shaft and having a first passage extending therethrough for passing a first steering wire portion, a second sleeve engaged within a second steering wire lumen of the catheter shaft and having a second passage extending therethrough for passing a second steering wire portion, and a bridge portion extending between said first and second sleeves.