Abstract: An insertion catheter for a circulatory support catheter having a circulatory support device carried by an elongate flexible catheter shaft. The insertion catheter comprises a tubular body with a distal portion configured to axially movably receive the circulatory support device. A diameter of the distal portion is greater than a diameter of a mid portion of the tubular body. The insertion catheter may be inserted into an introducer sheath for delivery of the MCS device. A distal end of the insertion catheter may be located distally of a distal end of the introducer sheath and distally of the arterial bifurcation. The distal portion of the insertion catheter containing the MCS device may be located distally of the bifurcation, with a distal end of the MCS device slightly offset from the distal end of the tubular body.

Abstract: A medical access system can comprise an expandable access sheath and an introducer. The expandable access sheath can comprise a sheath shaft comprising an expandable distal end portion, and a shaft delivery lumen extending therethrough. The introducer can comprise an introducer shaft configured to be at least partially disposed within the shaft delivery lumen. The introducer shaft can comprise a first distal portion comprising a first diameter and a second distal portion proximal of the first distal portion and having a second diameter larger than the first diameter. A second externally oriented surface portion defining the second distal portion, and an externally oriented transition surface portion extending between a first externally oriented surface portion defining the first distal portion and the second externally oriented surface, can be angled relative to one another, such as forming an angle between about 80 degrees and about 100 degrees.

Abstract: A tapered medical access sheath can comprise an access sheath hub and an access sheath shaft extending distally from the access sheath hub. The access sheath shaft can comprise a first delivery lumen extending from a proximal end of the access sheath shaft to a side opening on a distal portion of the access sheath shaft, the first delivery lumen having a width configured to slidably receive a distal portion of a medical device disposed around a guidewire. The access sheath shaft can comprise a tapered distal end portion disposed distally of the side opening. A recess can extend along a longitudinal dimension of the tapered distal end portion from a proximal end to a distal end of the tapered distal end portion. The recess can be in fluid communication with the first delivery lumen and have a width smaller than the diameter of the first delivery lumen.

Abstract: Dilators and introducers that include encapsulation features configured to couple to an access sheath are described herein. For example, a dilator can include an elongate shaft configured to be received within an access sheath. The elongate shaft can be tapered towards a distal end of the elongate shaft. The dilator can also include an encapsulation feature disposed on a distal portion of the elongate shaft. The encapsulation feature can include a plurality of tabs that extend longitudinally. The plurality of tabs can be configured to cover a distal end of the access sheath when the elongate shaft is disposed within the access sheath.

Abstract: A medical device delivery system can comprise a delivery catheter and an in-line sheath, the delivery catheter being preloaded within the in-line sheath. The delivery catheter can comprise a catheter hub and a catheter shaft. The catheter shaft can comprise a proximal portion extending distally from the hub and slidably receiving a proximal narrow portion of a medical device, and a distal portion slidably receiving a distal wide portion of a medical device. The in-line sheath can comprise a sheath hub and a sheath shaft. The sheath shaft can comprise a proximal portion extending distally from the sheath hub and slidably receiving at least a portion of the proximal portion of the catheter shaft, and an expandable distal portion slidably receiving the distal portion of the catheter shaft.

Abstract: An implant delivery system comprises a distal portion configured to naturally assume a first width and expand beyond the first width in response to an implant device being inserted into the distal portion via an opening at a distal end of the distal portion and a proximal portion configured to generally maintain the first width

Abstract: A sheath assembly can comprise a removable hub. The removable hub can have a lumen extending therethrough and comprise a first circumferential hub portion that spans a first circumferential segment about a longitudinal axis of the removable hub, a second circumferential hub portion that spans a second circumferential segment about the longitudinal axis of the removable hub, and first and second connector portions connecting the first circumferential hub portion and the second circumferential hub portion. The second circumferential segment can be greater than the first circumferential segment. The sheath assembly can comprise a removable shaft configured to extend distally from a distal end of the removable hub, the removable shaft being configured such that separation of the first circumferential hub portion from the second circumferential hub portion causes a first circumferential shaft portion to separate from a second circumferential shaft portion.

Abstract: A medical implant delivery system can comprise a puncture needle, a medical implant delivery catheter and the puncture needle being configured to be slidably advanced through a puncture needle lumen of the medical implant delivery catheter, a medical implant device positioned on the medical implant delivery catheter, and an outer delivery catheter comprising a medical implant delivery lumen, the medical implant delivery catheter being configured to slidably extend through the medical implant delivery lumen. A medical implant delivery system can comprise a puncture needle, a medical implant delivery catheter and the puncture needle being configured to slidably extend through the puncture needle lumen of the medical implant delivery catheter, a medical implant device positioned on the medical implant delivery catheter, an elongate housing adjacent to the medical implant delivery catheter, and an outer sheath around a portion of the medical implant delivery catheter and the elongate housing.

Abstract: Devices and methods for securing a tissue anchor in tissue of a patient, in particular to ensure proper deployment of a cardiac tissue anchor by regulating the force or pressure of a deployment tool against the tissue. One way to ensure proper deployment force is to visualize the distal end of the tissue anchoring catheter from outside the body using a display for an imaging sensor, where the distal end of the catheter changes configuration when it is pressed against the tissue. Another method involves automatically regulating the pressure applied to the tissue prior to deployment of the tissue anchor, which may also be used in conjunction with visualization. Several safety locks to prevent deployment of the tissue anchor prior to establishment of the proper pressure are disclosed, which again may be used with visualization and/or an automated pressure regulator.

Abstract: An improved system of variable speed drives that enhances the energy efficiency of an elevator system by enabling power transfer between the variable speed drives of two or more elevators via a common DC bus. Any combination of regenerative and non-regenerative variable speed drives may be used with the present invention. Energy storage devices may be connected to the common DC bus further improve efficiency.