Abstract: A drive assembly for a catheter procedure includes a body configured to receive a percutaneous device where the body has a first end and a second end. A distal pinch is configured to releasably engage the percutaneous device. A proximal pinch is positioned on the first end of the body and is configured to releasably engage the percutaneous device. A linear drive mechanism is coupled to the body and configured to move the body and the proximal pinch between a first position and a second position to cause linear movement of the percutaneous device along a longitudinal axis of the percutaneous device. A rotational drive mechanism is coupled to the second end of the body and is configured to rotate the body and the proximal pinch to cause the percutaneous device to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the percutaneous device.

Abstract: A robotic catheter system including a first drive mechanism configured to interact with an elongated medical device to cause the elongated medical device to move along its longitudinal axis. A wiper assembly includes a first wiping surface moving toward and away from the longitudinal axis. A controller provides a signal to a motor to move the first wiping surface toward the longitudinal axis when the elongated device is being withdrawn from a patient.

Abstract: An extension member is has a body with a proximal end and an opposing distal end. It includes a hollow lumen extending therethrough from the proximal end to the distal end. It has a female luer lock connector proximate its proximal end and a male luer lock connector proximate its distal end. Its body has an outer surface with a driven member.

Abstract: An introducer assembly for introducing a catheter into a patient, includes a sheath having a distal end and a proximal end with a hollow lumen extending between the distal end and proximal end. The assembly also includes a coupler having a distal end operatively coupled to the proximal end of the sheath, the coupler having an internal passage in fluid communication with the hollow lumen. The assembly further includes a connector having a distal end operatively coupled to the coupler proximate the distal end of the coupler.

Abstract: An extension member is has a body with a proximal end and an opposing distal end. It includes a hollow lumen extending therethrough from the proximal end to the distal end. It has a female luer lock connector proximate its proximal end and a male luer lock connector proximate its distal end. Its body has an outer surface with a driven member.

Abstract: A robotic catheter system includes a base and a robotic mechanism having a longitudinal axis and being movable relative to the base along the longitudinal axis. A flexible track is releasably secured to the base and includes an outer surface having a longitudinal opening slit extending therethrough to an inner channel. A rigid guide has a non-linear portion fixed relative to the robotic mechanism. A portion of the flexible track moves along the non-linear portion of the rigid guide away from the longitudinal axis when the robotic mechanism moves along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An introducer assembly for introducing a catheter into a patient, includes a sheath having a distal end and a proximal end with a hollow lumen extending between the distal end and proximal end. The assembly also includes a coupler having a distal end operatively coupled to the proximal end of the sheath, the coupler having an internal passage in fluid communication with the hollow lumen. The assembly further includes a connector having a distal end operatively coupled to the coupler proximate the distal end of the coupler.

Abstract: A combined hemostasis valve and drive mechanism is provided. The hemostasis valve has a valve body with a first and second leg. The first leg has a proximal port, a distal port and a lumen extending between the proximal port and the distal port. At least one valve is located in the lumen adjacent the proximal port to permit an interventional device to be passed therethrough. The second leg extends at an angle relative to the first leg and is in fluid communication with the first leg. A rotating male luer lock connector is rotatably connected to the first leg proximate to the distal port. It is configured to secure a guide catheter and has a driven member. The drive mechanism has a drive member removably interfacing with the driven member and a motor operatively connected to the drive member.

Abstract: A catheter procedure system includes a bedside system having a guide wire, a guide wire advance/retract actuator coupled to the guide wire and a guide wire rotate actuator coupled to the guide wire and a workstation coupled to the bedside system. The workstation includes a user interface, at least one display and a controller coupled to the bedside system, the user interface and the at least one display. The controller is programmed to advance the guide wire through a path using the guide wire advance/retract actuator, determine if the guide wire is in a desired path based at least on at least one image of a region of interest, rotate the guide wire using the guide wire rotate actuator if the guide wire is not in the desired path, wherein the guide wire is rotated a predetermined amount, and retract the guide wire using the guide wire advance/retract actuator.

Abstract: An elongated medical device with a modified drive surface for use with the driving mechanism of a robotic system. The elongated medical device has a distal portion configured to navigate the lumen of a human body channel and a proximate portion with a surface different from that of the distal portion and adapted to better interact with the driving mechanism than the surface of the distal portion.

Abstract: A system for controlling the position of an articulated robotic arm in a robotic catheter procedure system, includes an articulated robotic arm, a first controller coupled to the articulated robotic arm and a patient table. The patient table includes a user interface and a second controller coupled to the user interface and the first controller. The second controller is programmed to generate a control signal in response to a user input received using the patient table user interface, the user input indicating a change in position of the patient table. The second controller is also programmed to transmit the control signal to the patient table and to transmit the control signal to the first controller.

Abstract: This disclosure involves the use of X-ray markers that appear in fluoroscopic images and are detected by image processing software to partially or fully automate or assist in the performance of one or more of the steps of a percutaneous interventional procedure typically involving a catheter device.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the seating of a guide catheter during a catheter procedure includes monitoring at least one parameter of the catheter procedure and determining if the at least one parameter indicates that a guide catheter is out of position. If the at least one parameter indicates the guide catheter is out of position, an alert is displayed and the position of the guide catheter is adjusted. The parameter may be, for example, blood pressure, an ST wave of an electrocardiogram, contrast agent, fluoroscopic images of a region including the distal end of the guide catheter and ultrasound signals.

Abstract: An extension member is has a body with a proximal end and an opposing distal end. It includes a hollow lumen extending therethrough from the proximal end to the distal end. It has a female luer lock connector proximate its proximal end and a male luer lock connector proximate its distal end. Its body has an outer surface with a driven member.

Abstract: An introducer assembly for introducing a catheter into a patient, includes a sheath having a distal end and a proximal end with a hollow lumen extending between the distal end and proximal end. The assembly also includes a coupler having a distal end operatively coupled to the proximal end of the sheath, the coupler having an internal passage in fluid communication with the hollow lumen. The assembly further includes a connector having a distal end operatively coupled to the coupler proximate the distal end of the coupler.

Abstract: A system for the advancement or retraction of a guide catheter has a base member, support, linear actuator and bedside support. The base member has a hemostasis valve affixed which includes a valve body with a first leg having a proximal port, a distal port and a lumen with a linear axis extending between the proximal port and the distal port. At least one valve is located in the lumen adjacent the proximal port to permit an interventional device to be passed therethrough. The valve body has a second leg extending at an angle relative to the first leg and has a lumen in fluid communication with the lumen of the first leg. The support is affixed to the base member such that it functions to move the base member and its affixed valve in concert with the movement of the linear actuator along its linear axis. The liner actuator to which the support is affixed has a linear axis along which it may be advanced or retracted in a continuous or incremental manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation. The apparatus is inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to straighten the natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and reduce mitral regurgitation. The apparatus is also configured to work in conjunction with an electrical lead for an implantable bi-ventricular pacing device, an electrical lead for an implantable cardio defibrillator, etc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation. The apparatus is inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to straighten the natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and reduce mitral regurgitation.