Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a base and a plurality of polymeric leaflets. Each leaflet has a root portion coupled to the base, and each leaflet has an edge portion substantially opposite the root portion and movable relative to the root portion to coapt with a respective edge portion of at least one of the other leaflets of the plurality of leaflets. Each leaflet includes) at least two polymers along at least one portion of the leaflet, and each leaflet has a composition gradient of each of the at least two polymers along at least one portion of the leaflet.

Abstract: Medical device delivery systems, and related methods and components, are disclosed.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a base and a plurality of polymeric leaflets. Each leaflet has a root portion coupled to the base, and each leaflet has an edge portion substantially opposite the root portion and movable relative to the root portion to coapt with a respective edge portion of at least one of the other leaflets of the plurality of leaflets. Each leaflet includes) at least two polymers along at least one portion of the leaflet, and each leaflet has a composition gradient of each of the at least two polymers along at least one portion of the leaflet.

Abstract: A catheter assembly and related methods include first and second catheter branches that are configured to travel over separate guidewires to a vessel bifurcation treatment site within a patient. The catheter branches can each include a plurality of markers. The position of markers on one catheter branch relative to the position of markers on the other catheter branch provide a visual indication of relative twist between the catheter branches, can help distinguish one catheter branch from the other, and help with visual alignment of the catheter branches relative to the vessel bifurcation.

Abstract: A stent delivery system includes outer and inner elongated, flexible tubular members each having a distal and proximal ends. The outer tubular member is sized to be passed through the body lumen with the distal end advanced to the deployment site and with the proximal end remaining external of the patient's body for manipulation by an operator. The inner tubular member is sized to be received within the outer tubular member. The inner tubular member has a stent attachment location at its distal end. A spacer member is disposed between the inner and outer tubular members. The spacer member maintains spacing between the inner and outer tubular members. Opposing surfaces of the inner and outer tubular members define a passageway extending from the proximal end towards the distal end of the outer tubular member. A fluid exchange port is provided in communication with the passageway at the proximal end of the outer tubular member.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a loading tool. The loading tool may include a tubular member that is configured to be disposed about a balloon catheter. The tubular member may include a distal portion and a proximal portion. The tubular member may be configured to shift between a first configuration and a shortened configuration.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a base and a plurality of polymeric leaflets. Each leaflet has a root portion coupled to the base, and each leaflet has an edge portion substantially opposite the root portion and movable relative to the root portion to coapt with a respective edge portion of at least one of the other leaflets of the plurality of leaflets. Each leaflet includes) at least two polymers along at least one portion of the leaflet, and each leaflet has a composition gradient of each of the at least two polymers along at least one portion of the leaflet.

Abstract: Ablative catheters and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. The catheter may have a proximal end, a distal end, and a first lumen extending at least partially between the proximal and distal ends. The catheter may include at least one ablative port located adjacent to the distal end of the catheter. The catheter may include an ablative mechanism capable of ablation using an conductive fluid circulated to the ablative port through the first lumen. An expandable member may be disposed at an outer surface of a distal portion of the catheter. The expandable member may be capable of switching between a collapsed position and an expanded position using an expansion fluid circulated to the expandable member through a second lumen. In the expanded position, the expandable member may be sized and shaped to position the ablative port at a suitable distance from a wall of the vessel.

Abstract: A catheter including a tube and a coil at least partially surrounding the tube is disclosed. The coil can include a first portion including a first material, and a second portion including a second material.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a main catheter branch and a side catheter branch. The main catheter branch includes a main balloon, a side balloon and a side inflation member. The side inflation member intersects the side balloon at a location on the side balloon that is offset laterally from a central line passing from a distal most point on the side balloon to a proximal most point on the side balloon. The side balloon is configured to extend radially outward relative to the main balloon when the side balloon is inflated. The side catheter branch can be centrally aligned with the side balloon central line and be positioned laterally adjacent to the side inflation lumen.

Abstract: A catheter system comprises a catheter comprising a distal portion, a proximal portion and an inner shaft. The inner shaft comprises a medical device receiving region for receiving and carrying a medical device. The retaining device is at least partially constructed of an electroactive polymer. The retaining device is located on or adjacent to the medical device receiving region. The electroactive polymer of the retaining device has an activated state and an inactivated state. The retaining device is capable of retaining a medical device to the catheter and releasing the medical device from the catheter by transitioning between the activated state and the inactivated state.

Abstract: Medical devices that include micromachined hypotubes or that have themselves been micromachined can provide advantages in flexibility, strength and other desirable properties. Examples of such medical devices may include catheters such as guide catheters and balloon catheters. Such devices may also include dual shaft medical devices in which an outer shaft is reversibly lockable onto an inner shaft.

Abstract: Some embodiments of an electrical stimulation system employ wireless electrode assemblies to provide pacing therapy, defibrillation therapy, or other stimulation therapy. In certain embodiments, the wireless electrode assemblies may include a guide wire channel so that each electrode assembly can be advanced over a guide wire instrument through the endocardium. For example, a distal tip portion of a guide wire instrument can penetrate through the endocardium and into the myocardial wall of a heart chamber, and the electrode assembly may then be advanced over the guide wire and into the heart chamber wall. In such circumstances, the guide wire instrument (and other portions of the delivery system) can be retracted from the heart chamber wall, thereby leaving the electrode assembly embedded in the heart tissue.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a main catheter branch and a side catheter branch. The main catheter branch includes a main balloon, a side balloon and a side inflation member. The side inflation member intersects the side balloon at a location on the side balloon that is offset laterally from a central line passing from a distal most point on the side balloon to a proximal most point on the side balloon. The side balloon is configured to extend radially outward relative to the main balloon when the side balloon is inflated. The side catheter branch can be centrally aligned with the side balloon central line and be positioned laterally adjacent to the side inflation lumen.

Abstract: Stent delivery systems, clip members for use with stent delivery systems, and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example stent delivery system may include an inner shaft having a distal region. A stent may be disposed about the distal region. A deployment sheath may be slidably disposed about the inner shaft. A handle may be coupled to the inner shaft. The handle may include a clip member having a first holding portion and a second holding portion. The inner shaft may extend through the first holding portion and the second holding portion. A holding cuff may be thermally bonded to the inner shaft. The holding cuff may be positioned between the first holding portion and the second holding portion.

Abstract: Some embodiments of an electrical stimulation system employ wireless electrode assemblies to provide pacing therapy, defibrillation therapy, or other stimulation therapy. In certain embodiments, the wireless electrode assemblies may include a guide wire channel so that each electrode assembly can be advanced over a guide wire instrument through the endocardium. For example, a distal tip portion of a guide wire instrument can penetrate through the endocardium and into the myocardial wall of a heart chamber, and the electrode assembly may then be advanced over the guide wire and into the heart chamber wall. In such circumstances, the guide wire instrument (and other portions of the delivery system) can be retracted from the heart chamber wall, thereby leaving the electrode assembly embedded in the heart tissue.

Abstract: Stent delivery systems and methods for making and using stent delivery systems are disclosed. An example stent delivery system may include an inner member. A sheath may be disposed about the inner member. The sheath may include a compressible coil. A stent may be disposed between the inner member and the sheath. A membrane may extend between the inner member and the sheath. The membrane may be configured to be disposed on the stent. An outer member may be disposed over the sheath.

Abstract: Medical device delivery systems, and related methods and components, are disclosed. In some embodiments, an implantable medical endoprosthesis delivery system includes a catheter, a sheath at least partially surrounding the catheter, and a tip coupled to a distal end portion of the catheter. The tip can cooperate with a distal end surface of the sheath to form a gap therebetween so that there is fluid communication between an interior region of the sheath and an exterior region of the sheath.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a main catheter branch and a side catheter branch. The main catheter branch includes a main balloon, a side balloon and a side inflation member. The side inflation member intersects the side balloon at a location on the side balloon that is offset laterally from a central line passing from a distal most point on the side balloon to a proximal most point on the side balloon. The side balloon is configured to extend radially outward relative to the main balloon when the side balloon is inflated. The side catheter branch can be centrally aligned with the side balloon central line and be positioned laterally adjacent to the side inflation lumen.

Abstract: Medical device delivery systems, as well as related methods and components, are disclosed.