Abstract: An elongate medical device including an inner elongate member, a reinforcing member, and an outer tubular member is described. The reinforcing member may be a helically wound continuous wire including a first portion having a first cross-sectional profile, a second portion having a second cross-sectional profile, and a transition region located between the first portion and the second portion. The first cross-sectional profile may be different from the second cross-sectional profile. In some embodiments, the first cross-sectional profile may be circular or non-circular and the second cross-sectional profile may be circular or non-circular.

Abstract: A medical device including a shaft having an elongated inner member and an elongated tubular reinforcing member disposed over at least a portion of the inner member. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the outer surface of the inner member is spaced from the inner surface of the reinforcing member, defining a space substantially free of any other structures of the device. In some embodiments, the shaft can include a tip structure disposed on a distal portion of the inner member. In some such embodiments, the reinforcing member has a distal end, and the tip structure is disposed on the distal portion of the inner member adjacent the distal end of the reinforcing member. Additionally, in some embodiments, the reinforcing member can include a plurality of apertures defined therein, for example, to enhance the flexibility or other such characteristics of all or portions of the reinforcing member.

Abstract: An elongate medical device including an inner elongate member, a reinforcing member, and an outer tubular member is described. The reinforcing member may be a helically wound continuous wire including a first portion having a first cross-sectional profile, a second portion having a second cross-sectional profile, and a transition region located between the first portion and the second portion. The first cross-sectional profile may be different from the second cross-sectional profile. In some embodiments, the first cross-sectional profile may be circular or non-circular and the second cross-sectional profile may be circular or non-circular.

Abstract: A medical device including a shaft having an elongated inner member and an elongated tubular reinforcing member disposed over at least a portion of the inner member. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the outer surface of the inner member is spaced from the inner surface of the reinforcing member, defining a space substantially free of any other structures of the device. In some embodiments, the shaft can include a tip structure disposed on a distal portion of the inner member. In some such embodiments, the reinforcing member has a distal end, and the tip structure is disposed on the distal portion of the inner member adjacent the distal end of the reinforcing member. Additionally, in some embodiments, the reinforcing member can include a plurality of apertures defined therein, for example, to enhance the flexibility or other such characteristics of all or portions of the reinforcing member.

Abstract: A catheter having an elongate shaft including a plurality of apertures disposed along at least a length of the shaft to facilitate bending. The catheter includes an inflatable balloon, wherein a subset of the plurality of apertures provides fluid communication from an inflation lumen to the inflatable balloon.

Abstract: A medical device including a shaft having an elongated inner member and an elongated tubular reinforcing member disposed over at least a portion of the inner member. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the outer surface of the inner member is spaced from the inner surface of the reinforcing member, defining a space substantially free of any other structures of the device. In some embodiments, the shaft can include a tip structure disposed on a distal portion of the inner member. In some such embodiments, the reinforcing member has a distal end, and the tip structure is disposed on the distal portion of the inner member adjacent the distal end of the reinforcing member. Additionally, in some embodiments, the reinforcing member can include a plurality of apertures defined therein, for example, to enhance the flexibility or other such characteristics of all or portions of the reinforcing member.

Abstract: A catheter having an elongate shaft including a plurality of apertures disposed along at least a length of the shaft to facilitate bending. The catheter includes an inflatable balloon, wherein a subset of the plurality of apertures provides fluid communication from an inflation lumen to the inflatable balloon.

Abstract: An elongate medical device including an inner elongate member, a reinforcing member, and an outer tubular member is described. The reinforcing member may be a helically wound continuous wire including a first portion having a first cross-sectional profile, a second portion having a second cross-sectional profile, and a transition region located between the first portion and the second portion. The first cross-sectional profile may be different from the second cross-sectional profile. In some embodiments, the first cross-sectional profile may be circular or non-circular and the second cross-sectional profile may be circular or non-circular.

Abstract: An intravascular balloon catheter having an ultra soft tip. The catheter includes a braided reinforcement member extending substantially the length of the elongate shaft. A balloon is disposed at the distal end of the elongate shaft. An ultra soft tip is formed from a distal portion of balloon material extending distal of the distal end of the elongate shaft.

Abstract: A balloon catheter or stent delivery system for medical treatment of a patient has a proximal hub, a balloon, and an improved shaft design. The catheter shaft has a rapid-exchange configuration, and a tubular outer body that includes a hypotube extending from the catheter proximal end to a position at or near a proximal leg of the balloon. An inner tubular body defines a guidewire lumen extending from a distal guidewire port at the catheter distal end to a proximal port located at a position between the balloon and the hub. A distal leg of the balloon is directly or indirectly affixed to the inner body, and a proximal leg of the balloon is affixed to the distal end of the outer body. The hypotube has an aperture for accepting the inner body proximal end, and a circumferential cut pattern. The cut pattern adds flexibility, and may extend from the hypotube distal end to a position proximal of the proximal guidewire port.

Abstract: An elongate medical device including an inner elongate member, a reinforcing member, and an outer tubular member is described. The reinforcing member may be a helically wound continuous wire including a first portion having a first cross-sectional profile, a second portion having a second cross-sectional profile, and a transition region located between the first portion and the second portion. The first cross-sectional profile may be different from the second cross-sectional profile. In some embodiments, the first cross-sectional profile may be circular or non-circular and the second cross-sectional profile may be circular or non-circular.

Abstract: An intravascular balloon catheter having an ultra soft tip. The catheter includes a braided reinforcement member extending substantially the length of the elongate shaft. A balloon is disposed at the distal end of the elongate shaft. An ultra soft tip is formed from a distal portion of balloon material extending distal of the distal end of the elongate shaft.

Abstract: A rapid-exchange balloon catheter or stent delivery system, for medically treating a patient, has a proximal hub, a balloon, and an improved shaft design. The catheter shaft has a tubular outer body that includes a hypotube extending from the catheter proximal end to a position at or near the proximal leg of the balloon. An inner tubular body defines a guidewire lumen and extends from a distal guidewire port at the catheter distal end to proximal guidewire port located between the balloon and the proximal hub. The hypotube has an aperture for accepting the inner body proximal end and a circumferential cut pattern. The cut pattern adds flexibility and may have any desired shape, including a spiral, a helical undulating path, or an overlapping serpentine path with inflection points, for example. The proximal guidewire port may be positioned on or in between the individual portions of the cut pattern.

Abstract: A catheter having an elongate shaft including a plurality of apertures disposed along at least a length of the shaft to facilitate bending. The catheter includes an inflatable balloon, wherein a subset of the plurality of apertures provides fluid communication from an inflation lumen to the inflatable balloon.

Abstract: A catheter having an elongate shaft including a plurality of apertures disposed along at least a length of the shaft to facilitate bending. The catheter includes an inflatable balloon, wherein a subset of the plurality of apertures provides fluid communication from an inflation lumen to the inflatable balloon.

Abstract: A medical device including a shaft having an elongated inner member and an elongated tubular reinforcing member disposed over at least a portion of the inner member. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the outer surface of the inner member is spaced from the inner surface of the reinforcing member, defining a space substantially free of any other structures of the device. In some embodiments, the shaft can include a tip structure disposed on a distal portion of the inner member. In some such embodiments, the reinforcing member has a distal end, and the tip structure is disposed on the distal portion of the inner member adjacent the distal end of the reinforcing member. Additionally, in some embodiments, the reinforcing member can include a plurality of apertures defined therein, for example, to enhance the flexibility or other such characteristics of all or portions of the reinforcing member.

Abstract: A medical device including a shaft having an elongated inner member and an elongated tubular reinforcing member disposed over at least a portion of the inner member. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the outer surface of the inner member is spaced from the inner surface of the reinforcing member, defining a space substantially free of any other structures of the device. In some embodiments, the shaft can include a tip structure disposed on a distal portion of the inner member. In some such embodiments, the reinforcing member has a distal end, and the tip structure is disposed on the distal portion of the inner member adjacent the distal end of the reinforcing member. Additionally, in some embodiments, the reinforcing member can include a plurality of apertures defined therein, for example, to enhance the flexibility or other such characteristics of all or portions of the reinforcing member.

Abstract: Catheters such as guide catheters can be configured to provide distal occlusion, while still providing sufficient interior lumen space for device delivery. Such catheters can also provide a desired level of flexibility, yet can include sufficient column support. A catheter can include an elongate shaft with a lumen, an inflatable compliant balloon disposed over the distal region of the shaft, and an external inflation component.

Abstract: Catheters such as guide catheters can be configured to provide distal occlusion, while still providing sufficient interior lumen space for device delivery. Such catheters can also provide a desired level of flexibility, yet can include sufficient column support. A catheter can include an elongate shaft with a lumen, an inflatable compliant balloon disposed over the distal region of the shaft, and an external inflation component.

Abstract: A balloon catheter or stent delivery system for medical treatment of a patient has a proximal hub, a balloon, and an improved shaft design. The catheter shaft has a rapid-exchange configuration, and a tubular outer body that includes a hypotube extending from the catheter proximal end to a position at or near a proximal leg of the balloon. An inner tubular body defines a guidewire lumen extending from a distal guidewire port at the catheter distal end to a proximal port located at a position between the balloon and the hub. A distal leg of the balloon is directly or indirectly affixed to the inner body, and a proximal leg of the balloon is affixed to the distal end of the outer body. The hypotube has an aperture for accepting the inner body proximal end, and a circumferential cut pattern. The cut pattern adds flexibility, and may extend from the hypotube distal end to a position proximal of the proximal guidewire port.