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: Various aspects of the present disclosure may be directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods that include a medical device including an elongate body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and three mutually perpendicular planes. The medical device may include a first steering line and a second steering line and a first stiffening material and a second stiffening material. The first stiffening material and the second stiffening material may be configured to maintain planarity of deflection of at least the distal portion of the elongate body.

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: Various aspects of the present disclosure may be directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods that include a medical device including an elongate body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and three mutually perpendicular planes. The medical device may include a first steering line and a second steering line and a first stiffening material and a second stiffening material. The first stiffening material and the second stiffening material may be configured to maintain planarity of deflection of at least the distal portion of the elongate body.

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 medical device, comprising a shaft, wherein the shaft has a corrugated body, and wherein the corrugated body includes a plurality of hoops extending around a circumference of the shaft, a plurality of indentations, wherein the plurality of indentations extend around a portion of the circumference of the shaft and define a reduced-diameter portion of the shaft relative to a diameter of the plurality of hoops, and wherein each of the plurality of hoops is spaced apart from an adjacent hoop of the plurality of hoops by at least one of the plurality of indentations, and a plurality of nodes, wherein each node extends between and connects adjacent hoops of the plurality of hoops, and wherein each of the plurality of nodes is radially offset relative to adjacent nodes along a longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A medical device including a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, first and second articulation wires coupled to the handle, and an articulation member at a distal end of the shaft, wherein the articulation member includes a central longitudinal axis within a first bending plane. The first and second articulation wires lie within the first bending plane, the articulation member includes a plurality of links arranged about the central longitudinal axis, a first link of the plurality of links is attached to an adjacent, second link of the plurality of links via a first pair of hinges, and a first hinge from the first pair of hinges is arranged on a first side the first bending plane, and a second hinge from the first pair of hinges is located on a second side of the bending plane, opposite the first side.

Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter comprising a tubular shaft, the shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion having a distal end and a deflection region, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis and including an outer tubular jacket, and articulation member disposed within the jacket in the deflection region, the articulation member comprising a plurality of longitudinally-arranged tubular segments, a plurality of first connecting segments, and a plurality of second connecting segments, wherein adjacent tubular segments are joined by respective ones of the first and second connecting segments, and wherein all of the first and second connecting segments are disposed in a first plane extending through the longitudinal axis. A first reinforcing member and a second reinforcing member extend through the plurality of first and second connecting segments, respectively.