Abstract: A multi-lumen catheter shaft (55) includes a single piece strut (110) having a central portion defining a central lumen and a pair of opposing radial arms (116a), each defining a respective biased lumen (116). A first tubular layer (113) surrounds the strut, thus defining two opposing side lumens between the first tubular layer and the strut. The strut and first tubular layer may be separately or integrally formed. A second tubular layer (130) may be disposed around the first tubular layer, with an optional reinforcing layer (120) (e.g., a braided metallic mesh layer) disposed between the first and second tubular layers. Radial walls extending from the central portion of the strut may further subdivide the side lumens. Pull wires (10), activation wires, electrical conductors, and the like may be routed through the central, biased, and side lumens.

Abstract: Embodiments include a catheter comprising a proximal handle, a distal tip, and a shaft extending between the proximal handle and the distal tip. The shaft comprises an outer polymer layer, and an inner polymer layer disposed adjacent to the outer polymer layer and defining an internal lumen. The inner polymer layer includes a blend of two or more polymers, and the blend of two or more polymers includes PTFE and one or more copolymers.

Abstract: Catheter shaft assemblies that include a rubber member and a ring electrode mounted to induce radial deformation of the rubber member to inhibit loss of interference fit of the ring electrode, and related methods of fabrication, are disclosed. A catheter shaft assembly includes an elongate tubular inner layer, a first rubber member, an elongate outer layer, and one or more ring electrodes. The first rubber member is disposed on an exterior surface of the elongate tubular inner layer. The elongate outer layer covers an exterior surface of the first rubber member or the elongate tubular inner layer. The one or more ring electrodes are attached to and encircle the elongate outer layer or the first rubber member. Each of the ring electrodes induces a radial hyperelastic deformation of the first rubber member that inhibits loss of an interference fit of the ring electrode.

Abstract: A delivery device for delivering a pacing lead to a patient's heart includes an elongated sheath having a distal end, and a plurality of mapping electrodes positioned at the distal end. The distal end of the sheath may have a distal end face, and the mapping electrodes may include two electrodes that diametrically oppose one another at a position exposed on or spaced from the distal end face. The sheath includes a plurality of flexible sections spaced apart from one another, and a pull wire that causes the sheath to deflect from a substantially straight configuration to a dual hinged curved configuration that maneuvers and positions the electrodes in the vicinity of the bundle of His. The sheath may include a PTFE liner having axially oriented, platelet-like fibril features that enable the sheath to be split along its length from a proximal end to the distal end.

Abstract: A delivery device for delivering a pacing lead to the His bundle of a patient's heart includes an elongated sheath having a distal end, and a plurality of mapping electrodes positioned at the distal end. The distal end of the sheath may have a distal end face, and the mapping electrodes may include two electrodes that diametrically oppose one another at a position exposed on or spaced from the distal end face. The sheath includes a plurality of flexible sections spaced apart from one another, and a pull wire that causes the sheath to deflect from a substantially straight configuration to a dual hinged curved configuration that maneuvers and positions the electrodes in the vicinity of the bundle of His. The sheath may include a PTFE liner having axially oriented, platelet-like fibril features that enable the sheath to be split along its length from a proximal end to the distal end.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to percutaneous heart pumps including a self-expandable and collapsible impeller housing fabricated from a mesh of a shape memory alloy, such as nitinol, and a base polymer coating and a top polymer coating. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to highly flexible and fluid-impermissible polymer coatings having improved adherence and performance properties on the metallic surfaces of the impeller housing mesh thus improving the overall performance of the percutaneous heart pumps.

Abstract: A gasket for a hemostasis valve includes an annular wall, a membrane, a central protrusion on the membrane, and a plurality of ligaments attached to the central protrusion extending radially to the annular wall. The membrane, central protrusion, and ligaments are divided by slits into a plurality of flaps, with each flap bounded along an outer circumferential edge by the annular wall, along an inner circumferential edge by the central protrusion, and along its radial edges by segments of the ligaments. Two such gaskets can be arranged, back-toback, in a hemostasis valve. To facilitate such assembly, each gasket can include a plurality of positioning protrusions extending axially and a plurality of positioning recesses set into a circumferential surface, with the protrusions and recesses having complementary shapes for proper interconnection and fit between gaskets.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to percutaneous heart pumps including a self-expandable and collapsible impeller housing fabricated from a mesh of a shape memory alloy, such as nitinol, and a base polymer coating and a top polymer coating. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to highly flexible and fluid-impermissible polymer coatings having improved adherence and performance properties on the metallic surfaces of the impeller housing mesh thus improving the overall performance of the percutaneous heart pumps.

Abstract: An expandable cannula for a percutaneous heart pump includes a substantially open proximal end, a substantially open distal end and an elongate central portion disposed between the proximal end and the distal end. The elongate central portion has an inner surface and an opposing outer surface. The expandable cannula is made of a shape memory alloy having an austenite finish temperature Af that is at or below the body temperature of a human patient.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catheter shaft includes the steps of forming an inner layer of a first polymeric material, forming a plait matrix layer including a second polymeric material about the inner layer, and forming an outer layer of a third polymeric material about the plait matrix layer. The plait matrix layer includes a braided wire mesh partially or fully embedded within the second polymeric material, which is different from at least one of the first polymeric material forming the inner layer and the third polymeric material forming the outer layer. The second polymeric material has a higher yield strain and/or a lower hardness than at least the first polymeric material, and preferably both the first and the third polymeric materials. The first polymeric material and the third polymeric material may be different or the same. The catheter shaft may be formed by stepwise extrusion, co-extrusion, and/or reflow processes.

Abstract: A delivery device for delivering a pacing lead to the His bundle of a patient's heart includes an elongated sheath having a distal end, and a plurality of mapping electrodes positioned at the distal end. The distal end of the sheath may have a distal end face, and the mapping electrodes may include two electrodes that diametrically oppose one another at a position exposed on or spaced from the distal end face. The sheath includes a plurality of flexible sections spaced apart from one another, and a pull wire that causes the sheath to deflect from a substantially straight configuration to a dual hinged curved configuration that maneuvers and positions the electrodes in the vicinity of the bundle of His. The sheath may include a PTFE liner having axially oriented, platelet-like fibril features that enable the sheath to be split along its length from a proximal end to the distal end.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette includes a housing, wherein the housing is elongate and has a head end disposed toward the user and a tail end extending away from the user. The housing comprises a bottom cover and a shell section. A battery is retained within the housing. An atomizer tank cartridge fits to the housing. An electrical heating apparatus powered by the battery. A groove is formed between the bottom cover and the shell section. A trim piece is mounted between the bottom cover and shell section. The trim piece is a hot-melt material, and connected to the groove via a heating process. The trim piece passes around an external periphery of the housing. The trim piece is an epoxy resin material. The housing further comprises a removable mouthpiece cover attached at a head end.

Abstract: An intracardiac echocardiography catheter includes a shaft and an ultrasound transducer at a distal end of the shaft. The ultrasound transducer includes an outer polymeric encapsulant layer and a nanocoating applied to the outer polymeric encapsulant layer. The nanocoating is configured to provide increased surface lubricity and self-cleaning properties to the ultrasound transducer.

Abstract: A delivery device for delivering a pacing lead to the His bundle of a patient's heart includes an elongated sheath having a distal end, and a plurality of mapping electrodes positioned at the distal end. The distal end of the sheath may have a distal end face, and the mapping electrodes may include two electrodes that diametrically oppose one another at a position exposed on or spaced from the distal end face. The sheath includes a plurality of flexible sections spaced apart from one another, and a pull wire that causes the sheath to deflect from a substantially straight configuration to a dual hinged curved configuration that maneuvers and positions the electrodes in the vicinity of the bundle of His. The sheath may include a PTFE liner having axially oriented, platelet-like fibril features that enable the sheath to be split along its length from a proximal end to the distal end.

Abstract: In various embodiments of the present disclosure, a surgical catheter is provided. The present disclosure provides a catheter shaft that includes a distal portion and a proximal portion. The proximal portion comprises a handle operably connected to the distal portion of the elongated structure. The distal portion three radially positioned polymeric layers. At least two of the layers include chemically dissimilar polymers and at least one of the three layers includes functionalized polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF).

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to intravascular electrophysiology catheters including a catheter handle with a steering-wire locking mechanism.

Abstract: Embodiments include a catheter comprising a proximal handle, a distal tip, and a shaft extending between the proximal handle and the distal tip. The shaft comprises an outer polymer layer, and an inner polymer layer disposed adjacent to the outer polymer layer and defining an internal lumen. The inner polymer layer includes a blend of two or more polymers, and the blend of two or more polymers includes PTFE and one or more copolymers.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catheter shaft includes the steps of forming an inner layer of a first polymeric material, forming a plait matrix layer including a second polymeric material about the inner layer, and forming an outer layer of a third polymeric material about the plait matrix layer. The plait matrix layer includes a braided wire mesh partially or fully embedded within the second polymeric material, which is different from at least one of the first polymeric material forming the inner layer and the third polymeric material forming the outer layer. The second polymeric material has a higher yield strain and/or a lower hardness than at least the first polymeric material, and preferably both the first and the third polymeric materials. The first polymeric material and the third polymeric material may be different or the same. The catheter shaft may be formed by stepwise extrusion, co-extrusion, and/or reflow processes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to percutaneous heart pumps including a self-expandable and collapsible impeller housing fabricated from a mesh of a shape memory alloy, such as nitinol, and a base polymer coating and a top polymer coating. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to highly flexible and fluid-impermissible polymer coatings having improved adherence and performance properties on the metallic surfaces of the impeller housing mesh thus improving the overall performance of the percutaneous heart pumps.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catheter shaft includes the steps of forming an inner layer of a first polymeric material, forming a plait matrix layer including a second polymeric material about the inner layer, and forming an outer layer of a third polymeric material about the plait matrix layer. The plait matrix layer includes a braided wire mesh partially or fully embedded within the second polymeric material, which is different from at least one of the first polymeric material forming the inner layer and the third polymeric material forming the outer layer. The second polymeric material has a higher yield strain and/or a lower hardness than at least the first polymeric material, and preferably both the first and the third polymeric materials. The first polymeric material and the third polymeric material may be different or the same. The catheter shaft may be formed by stepwise extrusion, co-extrusion, and/or reflow processes.