Abstract: A balloon catheter has a central tube that is configured to both structurally support and inflate a balloon membrane. The central tube has a lumen and sidewall inflation ports that provide a path for inflating the balloon. The lumen of the central tube is obstructed by a distal end piece, nose piece, or other structure to prevent fluid from exiting a distal end of the central tube. The central tube is configured such that, during inflation, inflation media is allowed to pass through an elongated shaft of the catheter, into a proximal open end of the central tube, and through the inflation ports into the balloon. The central tube can slide longitudinally in relation to the shaft to longitudinally elongate and/or truncate the balloon.

Abstract: A spring assembly usable with an intravascular catheter can include a tubular body, two mounting surfaces, and a compressible framework. The tubular body extends along a longitudinal axis and is sized to traverse vasculature. Each mounting surface can be configured to engage a substantially planar electrical circuit and is positioned in the tubular body each in a respective plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The mounting surfaces face toward each other in opposite directions. The compressible framework extends between the first and second mounting surfaces. The spring assembly can further include a pair of electrical circuits mounted to the pair mounting surfaces. Each electrical circuit can include an inductive coil such that the pair of electrical circuits is a distance transducer. A change in distance between the pair of electrical circuits can be detected when the compressible framework is compressed and/or bent.

Abstract: A flexible circuit including a first segment including a base section of the flexible circuit; a second segment including a lateral wall section; a transition section between the base and lateral wall sections, the transition section being at least partially positioned adjacent a shared region of the base and lateral wall sections; and one or more electrode regions including a respective electrode, the one or more electrode regions being positioned at least partially in the transition section and the second segment.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a catheter shaft assembly and an end effector positioned at a distal end of the catheter shaft assembly. The end effector includes a balloon, one or more electrodes on the balloon, and a tip assembly at a distal end of the balloon. The balloon defines an interior configured to receive a fluid to inflate the balloon. The balloon is sized and configured to fit within a cardiovascular anatomical structure. The tip assembly includes a pressure relief valve that is configured to transition between a sealing state and a pressure-relieving state. In the sealing state, the pressure relief valve is configured to prevent fluid from leaking out from the interior of the balloon via the pressure relief valve. In the pressure-relieving state, the pressure relief valve is configured to provide a path for fluid to leak from the interior of the balloon via the pressure relief valve.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a catheter and an end effector. At least a portion of the catheter is sized and configured to fit within a lumen of a human cardiovascular system. The end effector is positioned at a distal end of the catheter. The end effector includes an expandable assembly and at least one flex circuit. The expandable assembly is configured to transition between a non-expanded state and an expanded state. The expandable assembly includes at least one deformable strut or cage. Each flex circuit includes a flexible substrate secured, without an adhesive, to the expandable assembly and an electrode secured to the flexible substrate. The expandable assembly in the expanded state is configured to urge the electrode into contact with tissue. The electrode has a fishbone-like configuration that defines a longitudinally elongated portion and a plurality of fingers extending transversely from the longitudinally elongated portion.

Abstract: A sheath valve housing including: an input port disposed on a proximal side of the sheath valve housing; an output port disposed on a distal side of the sheath valve housing, the input port and output port defining a longitudinal axis extending therethrough; a chamber disposed within the sheath valve housing between the input port and the output port and centered on the longitudinal axis, a catheter pathway being defined within the sheath valve housing through the chamber between the input port and the output port; and a plurality of ribs disposed about the chamber so that a member is aligned with the longitudinal axis upon insertion into the chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for treatment including a compound valve system that can be integral to, or attached to a sheath introducer. The compound valve system includes a secondary valve that can be positioned in a proximal direction from a primary valve of the sheath introducer. The secondary valve can move longitudinally in response to a pressure differential. The compound valve system can include an aspiration port between the primary valve and secondary valve. The secondary valve can be integral to a secondary valve accessory device that can be assembled onto a catheter shaft of an intralumenal treatment device, and the secondary valve accessory device can further function as an introducer tool for the intralumenal treatment device.

Abstract: A catheter including: an elongated body sized to traverse vasculature; a lumen formed in the elongated body; and a pull-wire. The elongated body has a transition zone disposed between proximal and distal ends of the elongated body, a first shaft extending from the proximal end of the elongated body to the transition zone and defining a longitudinal axis, and a second shaft extending proximally from the distal end to the transition zone. The lumen defines a curved path curved about the longitudinal axis and extending from the distal end to the transition zone, and a straight path extending from the transition zone to the proximal end. The pull wire extends within the curved and straight paths, and is anchored to the second shaft such that translation of the pull-wire near the proximal end deflects the second shaft substantially along the curved path.

Abstract: A balloon catheter has a central tube that is configured to both structurally support and inflate a balloon membrane. The central tube has a lumen and sidewall inflation ports that provide a path for inflating the balloon. The lumen of the central tube is obstructed by a distal end piece, nose piece, or other structure to prevent fluid from exiting a distal end of the central tube. The central tube is configured such that, during inflation, inflation media is allowed to pass through an elongated shaft of the catheter, into a proximal open end of the central tube, and through the inflation ports into the balloon. The central tube can slide longitudinally in relation to the shaft to longitudinally elongate and/or truncate the balloon.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a catheter shaft assembly and an end effector positioned at a distal end of the catheter shaft assembly. The end effector includes a balloon, one or more electrodes on the balloon, and a tip assembly at a distal end of the balloon. The balloon defines an interior configured to receive a fluid to inflate the balloon. The balloon is sized and configured to fit within a cardiovascular anatomical structure. The tip assembly includes a pressure relief valve that is configured to transition between a sealing state and a pressure-relieving state. In the sealing state, the pressure relief valve is configured to prevent fluid from leaking out from the interior of the balloon via the pressure relief valve. In the pressure-relieving state, the pressure relief valve is configured to provide a path for fluid to leak from the interior of the balloon via the pressure relief valve.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a catheter and an end effector. At least a portion of the catheter is sized and configured to fit within a lumen of a human cardiovascular system. The end effector is positioned at a distal end of the catheter. The end effector includes an expandable assembly and at least one flex circuit. The expandable assembly is configured to transition between a non-expanded state and an expanded state. The expandable assembly includes at least one deformable strut or cage. Each flex circuit includes a flexible substrate secured, without an adhesive, to the expandable assembly and an electrode secured to the flexible substrate. The expandable assembly in the expanded state is configured to urge the electrode into contact with tissue. The electrode has a fishbone-like configuration that defines a longitudinally elongated portion and a plurality of fingers extending transversely from the longitudinally elongated portion.