Abstract: A shaft for an elongate medical device, such as an intracardiac echocardiography or other cardiac catheter, includes a unitary inner liner defining a central lumen and one or more satellite lumens positioned about a periphery of the central lumen and an outer layer bonded to the inner liner. The wall of the inner liner is between about 0.004 inches and about 0.006 inches thick where the inner liner separates the central lumen from each of the one or more satellite lumens and may have a similar thickness at other locations as well. Each satellite lumen can accommodate a pull wire, and the number and positioning of the satellite lumens about the periphery of the central lumen can facilitate deflection of the distal end of the shaft in various directions and planes.

Abstract: A system for crimping a fully deployed heart valve includes a delivery tube extending in a longitudinal direction and having a lumen for receiving the crimped heart valve, a deployment device including a first member and a second member moveably secured to the first member, and a sheath configured to at least partially enclose a radially collapsible stent. A first attachment area of the sheath is connected to the first member and a second attachment area of the sheath is connected to the second member such that movement of the first member relative to the second member tensions the sheath for crimping the heart valve. A method of crimping a fully deployed heart valve is also provided.

Abstract: A delivery device for an implantable medical device includes an inner shaft with a device-carrying region, an outer shaft surrounding the inner shaft, a sheath at a distal end of the outer shaft, and a sleeve. The outer shaft is movable relative to the inner shaft from an advanced position in which the sheath surrounds the device-carrying region to a retracted position in which the sheath exposes the device-carrying region. The sheath includes a proximal structure having a cylindrical portion between first and second transition zones. The sleeve surrounds the outer shaft and is movable relative to the outer shaft from an advanced position in which a distal end portion of the sleeve surrounds the cylindrical portion to a retracted position in which the distal end portion of the sleeve is spaced proximally from the cylindrical portion.

Abstract: A system for crimping a fully deployed heart valve includes a delivery tube extending in a longitudinal direction and having a lumen for receiving the crimped heart valve, a deployment device including a first member and a second member moveably secured to the first member, and a sheath configured to at least partially enclose a radially collapsible stent. A first attachment area of the sheath is connected to the first member and a second attachment area of the sheath is connected to the second member such that movement of the first member relative to the second member tensions the sheath for crimping the heart valve. A method of crimping a fully deployed heart valve is also provided.

Abstract: A delivery device for an implantable medical device includes an inner shaft with a device-carrying region, an outer shaft surrounding the inner shaft, a sheath at a distal end of the outer shaft, and a sleeve. The outer shaft is movable relative to the inner shaft from an advanced position in which the sheath surrounds the device-carrying region to a retracted position in which the sheath exposes the device-carrying region. The sheath includes a proximal structure having a cylindrical portion between first and second transition zones. The sleeve surrounds the outer shaft and is movable relative to the outer shaft from an advanced position in which a distal end portion of the sleeve surrounds the cylindrical portion to a retracted position in which the distal end portion of the sleeve is spaced proximally from the cylindrical portion.