Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and a distal endoscope cap. A flexible distal portion of the shaft assembly is laterally deflectable relative to a rigid proximal portion of the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly defines a working channel sized and configured to enable advancement of a working element. The distal endoscope cap is configured to attach to the distal end of the shaft assembly. The distal endoscope cap has an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the flexible distal portion. The distal endoscope cap includes a body having at least one coupling member for attaching the distal endoscope cap to the distal end of the shaft assembly, at least one image sensor secured to the body for visualizing an anatomical structure, and at least one illuminating element secured to the body for illuminating a field of view of the at least one image sensor.

Abstract: An insufflation and smoke evacuation system for use during laparoscopic surgical procedures in an abdominal cavity of a patient is disclosed that includes a pump for circulating pressurized gas within the system, and a dual lumen cannula configured to provide access to the abdominal cavity of a patient, which includes a first lumen communicating with a source of insufflation fluid and a second lumen communicating with the pump.

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 guiding sheath has a braided layer for improved deflection characteristics and ring electrodes for electrical sensing, mapping and visualization, wherein lead wires for the ring electrodes are passed through lumened tubing position under the braided layer in a proximal portion of the guiding sheath shaft and above the braided layer in a distal portion of the guiding sheath shaft. Moreover, the hemostatic valve includes an improved friction ring with air vents to reduce the risk of air being introduced into the valve.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for treatment including a sheath introducer and a catheter or other device. The system can have a floating hemostasis valve comprising a seal through which the shaft of the catheter can extend. The floating hemostasis valve can have elastic bellows which can allow the seal to move orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the sheath introducer in response to an orthogonal movement of the shaft of the catheter. The elastic bellows can be configured to deform to allow the orthogonal movement of the floating hemostasis valve.

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 guiding sheath has a braided layer for improved deflection characteristics and ring electrodes for electrical sensing, mapping and visualization, wherein lead wires for the ring electrodes are passed through lumened tubing position under the braided layer in a proximal portion of the guiding sheath shaft and above the braided layer in a distal portion of the guiding sheath shaft. Moreover, the hemostatic valve includes an improved friction ring with air vents to reduce the risk of air being introduced into the valve.

Abstract: A guiding sheath assembly has an elongated shaft, and a control handle with a control knob and a shuttle configured for translation in response to manipulation of the control knob. The assembly includes a puller wire extending along the shaft and responsive to translation of the shuttle to deflect the shaft. The puller wire has a stop at its proximal end wherein a deflection sensor is affixed to stop subject to compression between to generate a signal in response to distortion between the first shuttle and the first stop. A catheter having a control handle and a control knob for manipulation of a deflection puller wire whose proximal end is affixed to a stop anchored in the control handle housing includes a strain gauge affixed to the stop configured to detect deformation resulting from actuation of the puller wire in deflecting the catheter shaft. A drip chamber.

Abstract: An inline flow control device for passive irrigation tubing to be used with electrophysiology devices, includes an elastically deformable diaphragm that can assume a neutral configuration, a first flexed configuration and a second flexed configuration in response to pressure change upstream or downstream of the diaphragm in self-adjusting the fluid flow to normalize the pressure change. In one embodiment, the diaphragm is unaffixed at least at its peripheral edge to allow the diaphragm to flex at its peripheral edge to vary the fluid flow through the device. In another embodiment, the diaphragm is fixed at its peripheral edge to allow the diaphragm to flex in its inner region to allow different movement of a piston through which the fluid flows in response to pressure changes upstream and downstream of the diaphragm.

Abstract: Ablation and diagnostic tools having a wrapped flexible circuit are provided. The wrapped flexible circuit can include one or more electrodes on a surface layer, one or more conductive traces on one or more lower layers, and an electrically insulating substrate. The surface layer can be patterned to have multiple electrodes. The lower layer(s) can include electrode contact trace(s) and/or traces for forming thermocouple junctions. The wrapped flexible circuit can be affixed to an outer surface of a metallic tube. The electrodes can be electrically isolated from the metallic tube. The metallic tube can have a sharp end to puncture tissue during ablation or intravascular diagnostic procedure. Additionally, or alternatively, the wrapped flexible circuit can have a pointed end and sufficient structural integrity to puncture tissue during ablation or intravascular diagnostic procedure without the support of a metallic tube.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a cylindrical shaft and an outwardly flared feature. The cylindrical shaft is sized for insertion into an insertion port of a cardiovascular catheter guiding sheath. The cylindrical shaft includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The lumen is sized to receive an end effector and catheter of a cardiovascular catheter instrument. The outwardly flared feature is at the proximal end of the cylindrical shaft. The outwardly flared feature defines an angled surface leading into the lumen.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a catheter having a flexible outer sheath and a flexible irrigation tube. The flexible outer sheath defines a first lumen. The flexible irrigation tube is positioned inside the first lumen and includes an inner layer and an outer coating layer. The inner layer is formed of a synthetic polymer compound and has a uniform cross-section with a hollow interior defining a second lumen. The outer coating layer is disposed around the inner layer. The outer coating layer is formed of a polymeric compound and includes first and second isomers. The first isomer is configured to carry a positive electric charge and the second isomer is configured to carry a negative electric charge.

Abstract: A guiding sheath has a braided layer for improved deflection characteristics and ring electrodes for electrical sensing, mapping and visualization, wherein lead wires for the ring electrodes are passed through lumened tubing position under the braided layer in a proximal portion of the guiding sheath shaft and above the braided layer in a distal portion of the guiding sheath shaft. Moreover, the hemostatic valve includes an improved friction ring with air vents to reduce the risk of air being introduced into the valve.

Abstract: An insufflation and smoke evacuation system for use during laparoscopic surgical procedures in an abdominal cavity of a patient is disclosed that includes a pump for circulating pressurized gas within the system, and a dual lumen cannula configured to provide access to the abdominal cavity of a patient, which includes a first lumen communicating with a source of insufflation fluid and a second lumen communicating with the pump.

Abstract: A guiding sheath has a braided layer for improved deflection characteristics and ring electrodes for electrical sensing, mapping and visualization, wherein lead wires for the ring electrodes are passed through lumened tubing position under the braided layer in a proximal portion of the guiding sheath shaft and above the braided layer in a distal portion of the guiding sheath shaft. Moreover, the hemostatic valve includes an improved friction ring with air vents to reduce the risk of air being introduced into the valve.

Abstract: A surgical gas delivery system is disclosed that includes a device housing supporting a control unit and a filter interface having a seat for receiving a filter cartridge, the filter cartridge having a filter housing defining an interior reservoir, wherein sensors are coupled to the control unit for sensing a level of liquid within the reservoir of the filter cartridge to prevent contamination of the device, and wherein a set of blocking valves are provided in the device housing for interacting with the filter cartridge when it is received in the filter interface to control flow through suction and pressure lines of the device, and wherein the control unit is adapted to recognize a characteristic of the filter cartridge received in the filter interface.

Abstract: A surgical gas delivery system is disclosed that includes a device housing supporting a control unit and a filter interface having a seat for receiving a filter cartridge, the filter cartridge having a filter housing defining an interior reservoir, wherein sensors are coupled to the control unit for sensing a level of liquid within the reservoir of the filter cartridge to prevent contamination of the device, and wherein a set of blocking valves are provided in the device housing for interacting with the filter cartridge when it is received in the filter interface to control flow through suction and pressure lines of the device, and wherein the control unit is adapted to recognize a characteristic of the filter cartridge received in the filter interface.

Abstract: An electrophysiologic device may be constructed with an elongated body having proximal and distal ends a lumen. At least one coil may be formed around a distal portion of the elongated body from a plurality of helical wraps of a continuous wire that extends to the proximal end of the elongated body through the lumen. One or more coils may be provided and each may be configured to function as either a ring electrode or a location sensor.

Abstract: A guiding sheath has a braided layer for improved deflection characteristics and ring electrodes for electrical sensing, mapping and visualization, wherein lead wires for the ring electrodes are passed through lumened tubing position under the braided layer in a proximal portion of the guiding sheath shaft and above the braided layer in a distal portion of the guiding sheath shaft. Moreover, the hemostatic valve includes an improved friction ring with air vents to reduce the risk of air being introduced into the valve.