Abstract: A catheter includes: a tubular structure having a longitudinal axis; wherein the tubular structure comprises first and second rings arranged in series along the longitudinal axis, the first and second rings being respective closed-loops, wherein the first ring lies within a first plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; wherein the tubular structure comprises a first connecting member having a first end, a second end, and a member body; and a second connecting member comprises a first end, a second end, and a member body; and wherein the second end of the first connecting member and the first end of the second connecting member are connected to the first ring, and disposed across from each other, and wherein the second end of the second connective member is connected to the second ring, and wherein the respective member bodies are configured to rotate and/or bent.

Abstract: A balloon catheter which allows for faster preparation and effective purging of air. The balloon catheter includes an elongated, flexible catheter having an inner lumen. A balloon member is secured to an outer surface of a distal portion of the catheter such that an inner surface of the balloon member and an outer surface of the catheter define an inflatable balloon interior. The catheter has an inflation lumen connected to an inflation port and extending distally to a distal end in fluid communication with the inflatable balloon interior. One or more purge apertures are provided in a wall of the catheter, each forming a fluid path between the inflatable balloon interior and the inner lumen of the catheter to allow for purging air from the catheter prior to use in a medical procedure.

Abstract: A balloon catheter which allows for faster preparation and effective purging of air. The balloon catheter includes an elongated, flexible catheter having an inner lumen. A balloon member is secured to an outer surface of a distal portion of the catheter such that an inner surface of the balloon member and an outer surface of the catheter define an inflatable balloon interior. The catheter has an inflation lumen connected to an inflation port and extending distally to a distal end in fluid communication with the inflatable balloon interior. One or more purge apertures are provided in a wall of the catheter, each forming a fluid path between the inflatable balloon interior and the inner lumen of the catheter to allow for purging air from the catheter prior to use in a medical procedure.

Abstract: A balloon catheter which allows for faster preparation and effective purging of air. The balloon catheter includes an elongated, flexible catheter having an inner lumen. A balloon member is secured to an outer surface of a distal portion of the catheter such that an inner surface of the balloon member and an outer surface of the catheter define an inflatable balloon interior. The catheter has an inflation lumen connected to an inflation port and extending distally to a distal end in fluid communication with the inflatable balloon interior. One or more purge apertures are provided in a wall of the catheter, each forming a fluid path between the inflatable balloon interior and the inner lumen of the catheter to allow for purging air from the catheter prior to use in a medical procedure.

Abstract: A vascular access system includes a catheter having an inner lumen in communication with an open distal end; a guidewire at least partially positioned in the catheter lumen and extending out the open distal end thereof, respective proximal and distal stops secured to the guidewire; and a centering device slidably mounted on the guidewire such that the centering device may freely within the catheter lumen relative to the guidewire between the proximal and distal stops, wherein the centering device substantially aligns a longitudinal axis of the catheter with a longitudinal axis of the guidewire proximate the centering device.

Abstract: A vascular access system includes a catheter having an inner lumen in communication with an open distal end; a guidewire at least partially positioned in the catheter lumen and extending out the open distal end thereof, respective proximal and distal stops secured to the guidewire; and a centering device slidably mounted on the guidewire such that the centering device may freely within the catheter lumen relative to the guidewire between the proximal and distal stops, wherein the centering device substantially aligns a longitudinal axis of the catheter with a longitudinal axis of the guidewire proximate the centering device.

Abstract: An elongate medical device includes an elongate core and a substantially flat sheet formed into a tubular body defining a longitudinal axis and disposed around at least a portion of the elongate core, where the flat sheet has a length, and where a cross-sectional thickness of the sheet varies along the length of the sheet. The tubular body has proximal and distal portions, and a cross-sectional thickness of the sheet forming the distal portion of the tubular body may be less than a cross-sectional thickness of the sheet forming the proximal portion of the tubular body. A cross-sectional thickness of the sheet forming the tubular body preferably tapers from the proximal portion to the distal portion.

Abstract: A stent delivery system includes an elongate delivery member; a self-expanding proximal bumper disposed on a distal region of the delivery member in a radially contracted configuration, where the proximal bumper is biased to expand to a radially expanded configuration; a self-expanding stent disposed over the delivery member in a radially contracted configuration distal of the proximal bumper; and a sheath disposed over the stent, proximal bumper, and delivery member, and configured to constrain the proximal bumper and stent in their radially contracted configurations, where the proximal bumper, when in its radially expanded configuration, has a cross-sectional dimension greater than an inner diameter of the sheath, such that the proximal bumper contacts the sheath and prevents movement of the stent proximal of the proximal bumper, and such that, as the delivery member is moved distally relative to the sheath, the proximal bumper pushes the stent in a distal direction.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, an ultrasound energy delivery assembly includes a waveguide and a catheter having a capture member. The capture member extends radially inward from an interior surface of the catheter into a lumen of the catheter and is configured to retain the enlarged distal tip so that the enlarged distal tip is temporarily prevented from moving proximally. In a second embodiment, an ultrasound energy delivery assembly includes a waveguide and a sheath covering at least a portion of the waveguide. In a third embodiment, an ultrasound energy delivery assembly includes a waveguide and a dual lumen catheter having a capture member. In a fourth embodiment, an ultrasound energy delivery assembly includes a waveguide and a catheter having a proximal waveguide lumen and a proximal guide wire lumen that merges with the proximal waveguide lumen at their respective distal ends to form a distal lumen.

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 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: Hypotubes such as micromachined hypotubes can include one or more tie layers appropriate for subsequent application of a hydrophilic coating. In particular, a medical device may include a micromachined hypotube having a level of flexibility and a tie layer disposed over the hypotube such that the medical device has a level of flexibility at least substantially equivalent to the level of flexibility of the hypotube.

Abstract: A catheter shaft with an improved manifold bond and methods for making and using the same. The catheter shaft may include a sleeve disposed, for example, near its proximal end. The sleeve may include a first layer that is attached to the catheter shaft and a second layer to which a hub or manifold may be attached.

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: Balloon 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 provide a desired level of balloon expansion, yet prevent vessel damage caused by balloon over-expansion. A catheter can include an elongate shaft having a distal region, a proximal region and a lumen extending therebetween. A balloon is inflated to a desired expansion configuration with a desired diameter. Over-inflation of the balloon causes longitudinal expansion instead of increased radial expansion, thus maintaining the diameter of the balloon.

Abstract: A stent delivery system is disclosed which includes an inner tube disposed within an outer tube in an annular space disposed therebetween. The distal end of the inner tube extends beyond the distal end of the outer tube and a balloon extends between the distal end of the outer tube and the distal end of the inner tube. A stent is disposed over the balloon. A heating mechanism is provided to heat the balloon which, in turn, transmits heat to the stent for expansion. An inflation media for the balloon is transported through the annular space to ensure continuous contact between the balloon and stent during deployment of the stent.