Abstract: A medical device includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end and a braided tubular body extending coaxially with the elongated body between the proximal and distal ends. The braided tubular body includes multiple cables extending helically in opposing directions in an interwoven manner. Each cable includes multiple, electrically conductive filars. In some examples, each filar includes an electrically insulating coating or layer.

Abstract: A catheter system and method, the system including a catheter having a lumen, a position sensor, and at least one pull-wire to articulate the catheter, a tool including a metal tip at the distal end of the catheter, a proximity sensor associated with the catheter and configured to detect the presence of the tool proximate an articulation region on the target, and an articulation mechanism configured to apply pressure to the pull-wire to articulate and de-articulate the catheter. The method determining that the tool cannon pass through the articulation region based on the level of articulation of the catheter and the properties of the tool, de-articulating the catheter to allow the tool to pass through the articulation region and re-articulating the catheter to a position and orientation of the catheter prior to de-articulation.

Abstract: A medical device having an echogenic region facilitate guiding the medical device to a selected location within a patient using ultrasound. The medical device includes a first layer having a first polymer. The first layer defines an elongate body extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end and defines a lumen extending longitudinally within the elongate body. The medical device further includes a second layer having a second polymer. The second layer is disposed on and radially adjacent to the first layer and defines the echogenic region. The echogenic region includes the second polymer and an echogenic metallic or ceramic material dispersed in the second polymer. The echogenic region is detectable using ultrasound imaging.

Abstract: A system includes a first tubular member comprising a first polymer and a second tubular member comprising a second polymer. The first tubular member defines a lumen configured to receive at least a portion of the second tubular member therein to define a joint region. The system further includes a compression sleeve configured to receive at least a portion of the first tubular member at the joint region and an energy source comprising a fiber laser configured to deliver energy to the joint region to thermally weld the first tubular member to the second tubular member. In some examples, the energy includes a wavelength of radiation transmittable through the compression sleeve and the first tubular member, and absorbable by the first tubular member and the second tubular member.

Abstract: A medical device includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end and a braided tubular body extending coaxially with the elongated body between the proximal and distal ends. The braided tubular body includes multiple cables extending helically in opposing directions in an interwoven manner. Each cable includes multiple, electrically conductive filars. In some examples, each filar includes an electrically insulating coating or layer.