Abstract: A steerable medical device includes an elongated tubular member having a proximal portion having a proximal end, a distal portion having a distal end, and an intermediate portion extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The elongated tubular member includes an inner sleeve having an outer surface. First and second guide members are located adjacent one another along the outer surface of the inner sleeve. A steering wire extends through the first and second guide members such that the steering wire distal portion is in the first guide member, the steering wire proximal portion is in the second guide member, and the intermediate portion includes an exposed intermediate portion between the first guide member and the second guide member.

Abstract: Medical device systems are disclosed. A system for positioning a stent within a tissue pathway includes a handle, an inner shaft having a lumen, a proximal end coupled to the handle and a distal end coupled to a tip member. The system also includes an outer shaft having a proximal end region and a lumen, wherein at least a portion of the inner shaft extends within the lumen of the outer shaft. The system also includes a grip member coupled to the outer shaft, a stent positioned between an inner surface of the outer shaft and an outer surface of the inner shaft, an electrically conductive element coupled to the tip member, an electrical wire coupled to the handle and the electrically conductive element and a cannula assembly configured to be positioned within the lumen of the inner shaft, the cannula assembly including an electrode and an insulation member.

Abstract: Medical devices and related methods are described. The medical device includes a handle including a movable body, a shaft extending from a distal end of the handle, a first fitting coupled to the shaft, and a second fitting distal to the first fitting and concentrically coupled to the shaft. The second fitting includes a first hole and a second hole. The first hole receives a portion of the shaft, and the second hole is aligned with the first fitting. A third fitting surrounds the shaft, the first fitting, and the second fitting. The third fitting includes a distal face, a third hole, and a fourth hole. The third hole receives a distal portion of the shaft, and the fourth hole is aligned with the second hole and a wire. A proximal portion of the wire is coupled to the first fitting.

Abstract: Delivery devices, systems and procedures are disclosed, for delivering an implant, such as a stent, including an outer sheath, an inner member slideably disposed within the outer sheath, a handle housing and a handle actuator slideably disposed within the handle housing, a pusher member with inner member attached that is pushable distally relative to the handle actuator to extend the inner member relative to the outer sheath, and a puller member with outer sheath attached pullable proximally relative to the handle actuator to retract the outer sheath relative to the outer sheath.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in manufacturing a component of an implantable medical device comprises a fixture comprising a first fixture member having a plurality of semi-circular recesses in a lower surface thereof, and a second fixture member having a plurality of semi-circular recesses in an upper surface thereof, the first and second fixture members being configured to be selectively fastened together via a plurality of fasteners, wherein in an assembled state of the fixture, each of the semi-circular recesses of the first fixture member lower surface is aligned with an opposing semi-circular recess in the second fixture member upper surface to define a plurality of workpiece openings each dimensioned to receive and secure a respective work piece to be machined to the fixture.

Abstract: A stent delivery system includes an outer shaft and an inner shaft extending at least partially within a lumen of the outer shaft. The inner shaft includes a stent receiving region, and a distal tip coupled to a distal end of the inner shaft. The distal tip includes a plurality of hooks positioned adjacent a proximal edge of the distal tip. A stent is disposed along the stent receiving region, and includes a first end region, a second end region, and one or more tethers coupled to the first end region of the stent. The one or more tethers are configured to engage with the plurality of hooks, thereby coupling the stent and the distal tip. The one of the one or more tethers may be configured to be actuated by a user to move the stent between a first, pre-deployed configuration and a second, deployed configuration.

Abstract: Stents and/or endoluminal implants for extending across two non-adherent structures/tissues. An illustrative stent may comprise an elongated tubular body having a scaffolding forming a plurality of cells and a coating disposed over an outer surface of the elongated tubular body. The coating may comprise a first micro-porous layer and a macro-porous layer including a plurality of loops disposed over the micro-porous layer.

Abstract: An apposition device having a first elongate element movably coupled with a second elongate element. The second elongate element is deployable distal to the structures to be apposed, in a position transverse to the first elongate element. The first elongate element may be pulled to pull the second elongate element to move the structures into apposition. A third element may be positioned proximal to the structures to hold the structures in apposition. The third element may be a ratcheting element fixable in place with respect to the first elongate element. The apposition device may be deployed with a fine gauge needle. The second elongate element may be deployed from a side port in the needle facilitating deployment, and/or movement of the second elongate element with respect to the first elongate element and into a deployment configuration. Such arrangement may allow control of the first elongate element independent of the needle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a stricture, for example along the biliary and/or pancreatic tract, are disclosed. An example system may include a handle having a base having a distal end region and a proximal end region. A length adjustment member may be coupled to the handle. A length actuator may be coupled to the distal end region of the handle. A catheter shaft may be coupled to the handle. A steering mechanism may be coupled to the handle. The steering mechanism may include an elongate steering member having a first end region coupled to the handle, a first body region extending along the catheter shaft, a loop region extending about the catheter shaft, a second body region extending along the catheter shaft, and a second end region coupled to the handle.

Abstract: An elongate medical device is adapted to provide adjustable flexibility. The elongate medical device includes an inner coil having one or more inner coil filars extending in a first direction, and an outer coil having one or more outer filars extending in a second direction. A hypotube extends proximally from the inner coil and the outer coil. A cable extends through the inner coil and through the hypotube, where a distal end of the cable, a distal end of the inner coil and a distal end of the outer coil are all secured together at a distal end of the elongate medical device, such that applying a tensile force to the cable, relative to the hypotube, causes the inner coil and outer coil in combination to increase in stiffness.

Abstract: A steerable catheter includes a catheter shaft having a lumen defined by a catheter wall, a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a length extending therebetween, and at least one pullwire extending along the length of the catheter shaft and coupled to the catheter wall. The at least one pullwire has a proximal section extending along the proximal portion of the catheter shaft in a first radial position, a distal section extending along the distal portion of the catheter shaft in a second radial position, and a transition zone connecting the proximal section and the distal section. The second radial position is offset circumferentially from the first radial position.