Abstract: A tool has an outer assembly, which includes a deployment tube, extending around, and moveable with respect to an inner assembly of the tool; the inner assembly includes a single pull wire and a distal member configured to engage an end of an implantable medical device. The deployment tube includes an articulating segment located just proximal to an enlarged distal-most portion, which contains the device and the distal member. Relatively soft and stiff sections of a composite sidewall define the articulating segment and extend alongside one another, such that, when the pull wire is actuated, the composite sidewall causes bending of the segment in two directions. A handle assembly of the tool includes a control member for the pull wire, and may further include a flushing subassembly that has a connector port located at an end of the handle assembly that is opposite a proximal port of the handle.

Abstract: An example method includes determining, by control circuitry, a flow rate of a fluid within a catheter lumen fluidically coupled to a valve, comparing, by the control circuitry, the flow rate to a flow rate reference value, and determining, by the control circuitry, a duty cycle of a first operational state and a second operational state of the valve based on a difference between the flow rate and the flow rate reference value. The method also includes controlling, by the control circuitry, the valve to be in the first and second operational states to control a suction force applied to the catheter lumen according to the duty cycle.

Abstract: An example method includes determining, by control circuitry, a flow rate of a fluid within a catheter lumen fluidically coupled to a valve, and comparing, by the control circuitry, the flow rate to a first flow rate threshold and a second flow rate threshold less than the first flow rate threshold. In response to determining that the flow rate is greater than or equal to the first flow rate threshold, the example method includes controlling, by the control circuitry, the valve to be in a first operational state, and in response to determining that the flow rate is less than or equal to the second flow rate threshold, controlling, by the control circuitry, the valve to be in a second operational state.

Abstract: A catheter, such as a fractional flow reserve catheter, includes an elongate shaft having a pressure sensing wire extending to the distal portion of the elongate shaft. The wire has a pressure sensor mounted on the distal end for measuring a pressure of a fluid within lumen of vessel. The pressure sensor wire is disposed within a pocket formed adjacent to the pressure sensor thereby minimizing the profile of the catheter. Bending stresses experienced by a pressure sensor mounted to a fractional flow reserve catheter when tracking the catheter through the vasculature creates a distortion of the sensor resulting in an incorrect pressure reading or bend error. In order to isolate the sensor from bending stresses, the sensor is spaced apart from the pressure sensor wire to allow the pressure sensor and the pressure sensor wire to move independently from one another.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a turbocharger having a rolling element bearing (REB) assembly contained within a bearing housing includes an axial damper configured to dampen and limit axial displacement of the REB assembly. The axial damper can include different embodiments, including an elastomeric axial damper, wire mesh, or oil film, for interrupting contact between the bearing assembly and a displacement limit when an axial displacement force exceeds a preload force. Further, the axial damper can include an apparatus having at least two axially compressible rings, where one of the axially compressible rings includes a displacement limit feature.

Abstract: A guide extension catheter assembly including a guide extension catheter and a support device. The guide extension catheter includes a shaft and a tubular member. The support device includes a push member and a shuttle member. The guide extension catheter assembly is configured to selectively provide a delivery state in which at least a portion of the shuttle member is disposed within the lumen, a leading end of the shuttle member is distal a distal end of the tubular member, and the shuttle member is directly, physically connected to the tubular member. In the delivery state, a longitudinal distal force applied to the push member is transferred to the tubular member as a longitudinal distal force via the shuttle member. The guide extension catheter assemblies of the present disclosure can promote a two stage guide extension catheter deployment.

Abstract: A catheter includes a proximal shaft, a distal shaft, a pressure sensor, and at least one pressure sensor wire. The proximal shaft is substantially C-shaped such that in cross-section, the proximal shaft includes a first circumferential end, a second circumferential end, and a gap between the first circumferential and circumferential end. The proximal shaft defines a groove configured to receive a guidewire therein. The distal shaft is coupled to the proximal shaft and defines a guidewire lumen therein. The pressure sensor is coupled to the distal shaft. The pressure sensor wire is operably connected to the pressure sensor. A proximal portion of the pressure sensor wire is disposed within a proximal shaft wall of the proximal shaft and a distal portion of the pressure sensor wire is disposed within a distal shaft wall of the distal shaft.

Abstract: A guide extension catheter assembly including a guide extension catheter and a support device. The guide extension catheter includes a shaft and a tubular member. The support device includes a push member and a shuttle member. The guide extension catheter assembly is configured to selectively provide a delivery state in which at least a portion of the shuttle member is disposed within the lumen, a leading end of the shuttle member is distal a distal end of the tubular member, and the shuttle member is directly, physically connected to the tubular member. In the delivery state, a longitudinal distal force applied to the push member is transferred to the tubular member as a longitudinal distal force via the shuttle member. The guide extension catheter assemblies of the present disclosure can promote a two stage guide extension catheter deployment.

Abstract: A tool has an outer assembly, which includes a deployment tube, extending around, and moveable with respect to an inner assembly of the tool; the inner assembly includes a single pull wire and a distal member configured to engage an end of an implantable medical device. The deployment tube includes an articulating segment located just proximal to an enlarged distal-most portion, which contains the device and the distal member. Relatively soft and stiff sections of a composite sidewall define the articulating segment and extend alongside one another, such that, when the pull wire is actuated, the composite sidewall causes bending of the segment in two directions. A handle assembly of the tool includes a control member for the pull wire, and may further include a flushing subassembly that has a connector port located at an end of the handle assembly that is opposite a proximal port of the handle.

Abstract: A tool has an outer assembly, which includes a deployment tube, extending around, and moveable with respect to an inner assembly of the tool; the inner assembly includes a single pull wire and a distal member configured to engage an end of an implantable medical device. The deployment tube includes an articulating segment located just proximal to an enlarged distal-most portion, which contains the device and the distal member. Relatively soft and stiff sections of a composite sidewall define the articulating segment and extend alongside one another, such that, when the pull wire is actuated, the composite sidewall causes bending of the segment in two directions. A handle assembly of the tool includes a control member for the pull wire, and may further include a flushing subassembly that has a connector port located at an end of the handle assembly that is opposite a proximal port of the handle.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a turbocharger having a rolling element bearing (REB) assembly contained within a bearing housing includes an axial damper configured to dampen and limit axial displacement of the REB assembly. The axial damper can include different embodiments, including an elastomeric axial damper, wire mesh, or oil film, for interrupting contact between the bearing assembly and a displacement limit when an axial displacement force exceeds a preload force. Further, the axial damper can include an apparatus having at least two axially compressible rings, where one of the axially compressible rings includes a displacement limit feature.

Abstract: A catheter, such as a fractional flow reserve catheter, includes an elongate shaft having a pressure sensing wire extending to the distal portion of the elongate shaft. The wire has a pressure sensor mounted on the distal end for measuring a pressure of a fluid within lumen of vessel. The pressure sensor wire is disposed within a pocket formed adjacent to the pressure sensor thereby minimizing the profile of the catheter. Bending stresses experienced by a pressure sensor mounted to a fractional flow reserve catheter when tracking the catheter through the vasculature creates a distortion of the sensor resulting in an incorrect pressure reading or bend error. In order to isolate the sensor from bending stresses, the sensor is spaced apart from the pressure sensor wire to allow the pressure sensor and the pressure sensor wire to move independently from one another.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes a rotor rotatably mounted within the turbocharger about a rotor axis, a balance ring provided at an axial end of the rotor, and a cutout provided in the balance ring, the cutout having an open end extending radially outward from the rotor axis.

Abstract: A catheter, such as a fractional flow reserve catheter, includes an elongate shaft having a pressure sensing wire extending to the distal portion of the elongate shaft. The wire has a pressure sensor mounted on the distal end for measuring a pressure of a fluid within lumen of vessel. The pressure sensor wire is disposed within a pocket formed adjacent to the pressure sensor thereby minimizing the profile of the catheter. Bending stresses experienced by a pressure sensor mounted to a fractional flow reserve catheter when tracking the catheter through the vasculature creates a distortion of the sensor resulting in an incorrect pressure reading or bend error. In order to isolate the sensor from bending stresses, the sensor is spaced apart from the pressure sensor wire to allow the pressure sensor and the pressure sensor wire to move independently from one another.

Abstract: In a system for retrieving an implanted device, a flared inner surface of a catheter tubular sidewall may define a distal-most opening of a device receptacle; the opening has a first diameter equal to that of the receptacle, and a second diameter, coincident with a distal-most edge of the tubular sidewall, and at least 5% greater than the receptacle diameter. Alternately, a retrieval tool in sliding engagement within a lumen of a catheter includes a shaft assembly, through which a snare member passes, and which includes a collapsible spring-biased perimeter sidewall; the sidewall defines a capture member passageway approximately coaxial, and in fluid communication with a lumen of the shaft assembly. A distal-most opening of the passageway has a spring-biased diameter that is greater than that of a distal-most opening of a device receptacle of the catheter, and a collapsed diameter that is less than the receptacle distal-most opening diameter.

Abstract: A guide extension catheter includes a proximal shaft, a distal shaft, and a plurality of perfusion openings. The distal shaft includes a jacket and a helical coil structure embedded in the jacket, the distal shaft defining a lumen. The plurality of perfusion openings are disposed though the jacket of the distal shaft between windings of the helical coil structure. The guide extension catheter provides additional back support to the guide catheter. The plurality of perfusion openings allow fluid communication between an area outside the guide extension catheter and the lumen.

Abstract: A distal shaft for measuring pressure distally of a stenosis includes a housing, a pressure sensor, a cover, a tip, and an aperture. The pressure sensor is mounted in the housing. The cover is coupled to the housing and covers the pressure sensor. The tip is coupled to a distal end of the housing. The aperture is disposed through the tip and/or cover. The aperture is configured to allow blood flow to the pressure sensor. The cover further includes a coupling mechanism or coupling that couples the cover to the housing. The coupling mechanism may be a snap-fit mechanism, a friction-fit mechanism, and/or an adhesive.

Abstract: A guide extension catheter assembly including a guide extension catheter and a support device. The guide extension catheter includes a shaft and a tubular member. The support device includes a push member and a shuttle member. The guide extension catheter assembly is configured to selectively provide a delivery state in which at least a portion of the shuttle member is disposed within the lumen, a leading end of the shuttle member is distal a distal end of the tubular member, and the shuttle member is directly, physically connected to the tubular member. In the delivery state, a longitudinal distal force applied to the push member is transferred to the tubular member as a longitudinal distal force via the shuttle member. The guide extension catheter assemblies of the present disclosure can promote a two stage guide extension catheter deployment.

Abstract: A tool has an outer assembly, which includes a deployment tube, extending around, and moveable with respect to an inner assembly of the tool; the inner assembly includes a single pull wire and a distal member configured to engage an end of an implantable medical device. The deployment tube includes an articulating segment located just proximal to an enlarged distal-most portion, which contains the device and the distal member. Relatively soft and stiff sections of a composite sidewall define the articulating segment and extend alongside one another, such that, when the pull wire is actuated, the composite sidewall causes bending of the segment in two directions. A handle assembly of the tool includes a control member for the pull wire, and may further include a flushing subassembly that has a connector port located at an end of the handle assembly that is opposite a proximal port of the handle.

Abstract: A catheter includes a catheter shaft having a shaft wall and a lumen extending longitudinally within the shaft wall. The lumen is bounded in radially outward and radially inward directions. The lumen includes a feed portion and an identification symbol fluidly connected to the feed portion. The lumen is configured to receive a contrast media. The lumen may be formed by a channel formed in an outer surface of a first shaft of the catheter shaft, and a covering disposed around the outer surface of the first shaft to cover the channel.