Abstract: The disclosure provides insertion tools and articles that facilitate entry of a medical device, such as a balloon catheter, into the body, and that can provide advantages in terms of balloon insertion, safety, and drug delivery. The insertion tool includes a tubular portion that accommodates a balloon portion of a balloon catheter, and one or more separation margin(s) in the wall of the tubular portion or one or more split(s) in the tubular wall. The insertion tool also includes a proximal tab that extends from a second lengthwise half having a portion at an angle skew to the lengthwise axis, or that is in the form of a solid article comprising a concave surface that is fastened to an outer surface of the second lengthwise half of the tubular portion; or first and second tabs that extend from first and second lengthwise halves of the tubular portion, respectively.

Abstract: An anchored dilator includes a push tube having proximal and distal push tube portions. A dilator tip is coupled with the distal push tube portion and is configured for selectable coupling with a catheter. The dilator tip includes an anchor cuff having a cuff interface. The anchor cuff is configured to transition between a shuttle configuration having a shuttle profile and an anchored configuration having an anchored profile larger than the shuttle profile. A cuff operator assembly is configured to transition the anchor cuff between the anchored and shuttle configurations. The cuff operator assembly includes a cuff operator movably coupled with the dilator tip, and an operator shaft coupled with the cuff operator. The operator shaft extends toward the proximal push tube portion. Actuation of the cuff operator with the operator shaft transitions the anchor cuff between the shuttle configuration and the anchored configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an introducer for introducing interventional catheters into the vasculature comprising a distal tip, a proximal end, a structural layer, an inner layer, and an outer layer. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a catheter body extending from a catheter proximal portion to a catheter distal portion. The catheter body includes an inner liner and an outer sleeve. A braid assembly is within the catheter body and between the inner liner and the outer sleeve. The braid assembly includes a first filar array including one or more first filars helically extending around the catheter body in a first direction. The braid assembly further includes a second filar array including one or more second filars helically extending around the catheter body in a second direction opposed to the first direction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an introducer for introducing interventional catheters into the vasculature comprising a distal tip, a proximal end, a structural layer, an inner layer, and an outer layer. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: The disclosure provides insertion tools and articles that facilitate entry of a medical device, such as a balloon catheter, into the body, and that can provide advantages in terms of balloon insertion, safety, and drug delivery. The insertion tool includes a tubular portion that accommodates a balloon portion of a balloon catheter, and one or more separation margin(s) in the wall of the tubular portion or one or more split(s) in the tubular wall. The insertion tool also includes a proximal tab that extends from a second lengthwise half having a portion at an angle skew to the lengthwise axis, or that is in the form of a solid article comprising a concave surface that is fastened to an outer surface of the second lengthwise half of the tubular portion; or first and second tabs that extend from first and second lengthwise halves of the tubular portion, respectively.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for insertion in the left atrial appendage includes a cap coupled to a frame. The cap constrains movement of the legs of the frame during collapse and expansion of the device, such that the device can be deployed, recalled and redeployed without the device being damaged or the legs of the frame getting tangled.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a catheter body extending from a catheter proximal portion to a catheter distal portion. The catheter body includes an inner liner and an outer sleeve. A braid assembly is within the catheter body and between the inner liner and the outer sleeve. The braid assembly includes a first filar array including one or more first filars helically extending around the catheter body in a first direction. The braid assembly further includes a second filar array including one or more second filars helically extending around the catheter body in a second direction opposed to the first direction.

Abstract: Embodiments include an interventional guide catheter, comprising: a main tubular shaft with a distal tip and proximal end; the main tubular shaft comprising: a main inner structural layer comprising a metallic helically wound multi-filar wire extending from a proximal tube termination to a distal end, a braided wire layer covering the main inner structural layer that extends from the proximal tube termination to the distal end, an outer layer of polymer jacketing fixedly attached to the main inner structural layer and braid layer, an inner layer of polymer jacketing and fixedly attached to the main inner structural layer, a distal tip made of layers of polymer, a distal end curve shape for anatomical conformance that is heat processed in the main metal portion of the structure; and a lamination of the inner layer, main inner structural layer, braided wire layer and outer layer. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Assemblies, kits, and methods for occluding a vascular vessel, such as a varicose vein, are disclosed. An assembly can include a removable inner member, a removable outer member, and an elongated expandable member positioned in a compressed form between portions of the inner and outer members. To facilitate their removal, one or both of the inner and outer members can include a handle coupled to a proximal end. The elongated expandable member can include a gelatin material or a collagen material that is configured, when wetted, to expand from a compressed first diametrical size to a second larger diametrical size within a time period of 5 minutes or less. At the second larger diametrical size, the gelatin or collagen material can occlude a vascular vessel for a period of at least 20 days without degrading.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for insertion in the left atrial appendage includes a cap coupled to a frame. The cap constrains movement of the legs of the frame during collapse and expansion of the device, such that the device can be deployed, recalled and redeployed without the device being damaged or the legs of the frame getting tangled.

Abstract: Implant devices for filtering blood flowing through the ostium of an atrial appendage have component structures one or more of which are expandable. Devices with component structures in their unexpanded state have a compact size suitable for intra-cutaneous delivery to an atrial appendage situs. The expandable component structures are expanded in situ to deploy the devices. A device may have sufficiently short axial length so that most or almost all of the device length may fit within the ostium region.

Abstract: Vascular introducer systems, kits, and methods providing or creating access to vessels, such as radial or femoral arteries, are disclosed. A vascular introducer system includes a removable inner tubular member, a removable outer tubular, tear-away member, and an expandable passage member positioned between the inner and outer tubular members. The removable inner tubular member and the removable outer tubular, tear-away member help protect and maintain a contracted configuration of the expandable passage member when the introducer system is advanced into a vessel. The expandable passage member includes an inner surface configured to receive an elongate treatment device, for example, following removal of the inner and outer tubular members. In some examples, the expandable passage member includes one or more kink-resistant members extending along a portion of the passage member.

Abstract: A percutaneous transluminal angioplasty device having an embolic filter mounted to the catheter shaft at a location distal to the angioplasty balloon and downstream from the blockage to capture embolic particles that may be set loose into the blood stream as the angioplasty procedure is performed. The embolic filter is normally collapsed against the catheter shaft to facilitate introduction and withdrawal of the device to and from the operative site. Once the angioplasty balloon is properly positioned, however, means operatively associated with the embolic filter are actuated to erect the filter to operatively position a filter mesh across the lumen of the vessel.

Abstract: Assemblies, kits, and methods for occluding a vascular vessel, such as a varicose vein, are disclosed. An assembly can include a removable inner member, a removable outer member, and an elongated expandable member positioned in a compressed form between portions of the inner and outer members. To facilitate their removal, one or both of the inner and outer members can include a handle coupled to a proximal end. The elongated expandable member can include a gelatin material or a collagen material that is configured, when wetted, to expand from a compressed first diametrical size to a second larger diametrical size within a time period of 5 minutes or less. At the second larger diametrical size, the gelatin or collagen material can occlude a vascular vessel for a period of at least 20 days without degrading.

Abstract: A coaxial guide catheter to be passed through guide catheter having a first lumen, for use with interventional cardiology devices that are insertable into a branch artery that branches off from a main artery. The coaxial guide catheter is extended through the lumen of the guide catheter and beyond the distal end of the guide catheter and inserted into the branch artery. The device assists in resisting axial and shear forces exerted by an interventional cardiology device passed through the second lumen and beyond the flexible distal tip portion that would otherwise tend to dislodge the guide catheter from the branch artery.

Abstract: A coaxial guide catheter to be passed through guide catheter having a first lumen, for use with interventional cardiology devices that are insertable into a branch artery that branches off from a main artery. The coaxial guide catheter is extended through the lumen of the guide catheter and beyond the distal end of the guide catheter and inserted into the branch artery. The device assists in resisting axial and shear forces exerted by an interventional cardiology device passed through the second lumen and beyond the flexible distal tip portion that would otherwise tend to dislodge the guide catheter from the branch artery.

Abstract: A coaxial guide catheter to be passed through guide catheter having a first lumen, for use with interventional cardiology devices that are insertable into a branch artery that branches off from a main artery. The coaxial guide catheter is extended through the lumen of the guide catheter and beyond the distal end of the guide catheter and inserted into the branch artery. The device assists in resisting axial and shear forces exerted by an interventional cardiology device passed through the second lumen and beyond the flexible distal tip portion that would otherwise tend to dislodge the guide catheter from the branch artery.

Abstract: A coaxial guide catheter to be passed through guide catheter having a first lumen, for use with interventional cardiology devices that are insertable into a branch artery that branches off from a main artery. The coaxial guide catheter is extended through the lumen of the guide catheter and beyond the distal end of the guide catheter and inserted into the branch artery. The device assists in resisting axial and shear forces exerted by an interventional cardiology device passed through the second lumen and beyond the flexible distal tip portion that would otherwise tend to dislodge the guide catheter from the branch artery.

Abstract: A coaxial guide catheter to be passed through guide catheter having a first lumen, for use with interventional cardiology devices that are insertable into a branch artery that branches off from a main artery. The coaxial guide catheter is extended through the lumen of the guide catheter and beyond the distal end of the guide catheter and inserted into the branch artery. The device assists in resisting axial and shear forces exerted by an interventional cardiology device passed through the second lumen and beyond the flexible distal tip portion that would otherwise tend to dislodge the guide catheter from the branch artery.