Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The handle assembly includes a body and an actuator. The actuator includes a rotary member that is configured to be driven by a finger of a hand that grasps the handle body. The shaft assembly includes an external sheath that is fixed to the handle body and an inner shaft that is coupled to the actuator. The inner shaft is configured to slide longitudinally relative to the external sheath in response to rotation of the first rotary member relative to the handle body. The end effector is configured to encompass a bodily lumen and includes a flexible member extending distally from the inner shaft. A first coupling element is fixed to the distal tip of the flexible member. A second coupling element is fixed to the external sheath. The flexible member defines an adjustable loop.

Abstract: A deflectable catheter shaft with compression resistance coils configured to create different curve shapes when the catheter is steered or deflected in different directions. One or more compression resistance coils may include an elongated-pitch section. The compression resistance coils may be pull wire compression coils or body compression coils.

Abstract: A medical system includes a plurality of tubes configured to be arranged about a periphery of an insertion device. A lumen of each of the plurality of tubes is configured to receive a medical device. Each of the tubes is configured to be coupled to the periphery of the insertion device and is moveable from a collapsed configuration adjacent the periphery of the insertion device to an expanded configuration further radially outward of the periphery of the insertion device as compared to the collapsed configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments of delivery systems, devices and methods for delivering a prosthetic heart valve device to a heart chamber for expanded implementation are disclosed. More specifically, methods, systems and devices are disclosed for delivering a self-expanding prosthetic mitral valve device to the left atrium, with no engagement of the left ventricle, the native mitral valve leaflets or the annular tissue downstream of the upper annular surface during delivery, and in some embodiments with no engagement of the ventricle, mitral valve leaflets and/or annular tissue located downstream of the upper annular surface by the delivered, positioned and expanded prosthetic mitral valve device.

Abstract: A medical device that includes a handle, a sheath extending from the handle, and a tool within the sheath and movable relative to the sheath. The handle includes an inner body and an outer body disposed over the inner body. The outer body is movable relative to the inner body. The handle includes a first actuator secured to the tool. The first actuator has an actuated state permitting movement of the tool relative to the sheath in response to moving the outer body relative to the inner body. The handle includes a second actuator secured to the sheath. The second actuator has an actuated state permitting movement of the sheath relative to the tool in response to moving the second actuator relative to the outer body. An unactuated state of the first actuator and an unactuated state of the second actuator prevents movement of the tool relative to the sheath.

Abstract: Catheters, sheaths, or other tubular devices are provided that include a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a patient's body, and a steerable distal portion. The tubular device includes a primary lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends; an auxiliary lumen adjacent the primary lumen; and one or more reinforcement members including windings extending helically along at least the distal portion, at least some of the windings passing between the primary and steering element lumens and at least some of the windings surrounding both the primary and steering element lumens. In one embodiment, a steering element is slidably disposed within the auxiliary lumen. Apparatus and methods for making such tubular devices are also provided.

Abstract: A vascular access wire is disclosed. The vascular access wire includes an elongated core member and a distal tip. The Distal tip comprising a crank configured with a crank distal surface and a crank center of rotation. The crank is configured to rotate about the crank center of rotation when the core member is sufficiently loaded axially and when the crank distal surface is pressed against a wall of a target blood vessel, for triggering or affecting a deflecting and/or a deforming of the core member proximally to the crank.

Abstract: A medical device has a distal member with a configuration that can be changed by means of a control handle with a control assembly employing a rotational cam, a shaft, and a pulley, where the rotational cam is rotationally mounted on a portion of the control handle for rotation by a user. The rotational cam operates on the shaft to move it proximally or distally depending on the direction of rotation which in turn rotates the pulley to draw or release a puller wire to change the configuration of the distal member of the medical device. The shaft is oriented along a diameter of the control handle. The shaft has two ends which extends through two axial guide slots in the portion of the control handle to sit two opposing helical tracks formed on inner surface of the rotational cam. The guide slots are parallel with the longitudinal axis of the control handle and therefore maintain the shaft's diametrical orientation as the rotational cam is rotated to move the shaft proximally or distally.

Abstract: A catheter includes a handle and an elongate member extending from the handle. The catheter may also include steering system coupled to the handle. The steering system may be configured to deflect at least a portion of the elongate member in at least one direction. The catheter may also include a locking mechanism configured to lock the portion of the elongate member in a deflected configuration, and a lever coupled to the handle. The lever may be configured to move from a first position to a second position to engage the locking mechanism. The lever may also be configured to be separably retained at least at one of the first position or the second position to prevent movement therebetween.

Abstract: A motion feedthrough for a surgical drape, the motion feedthrough comprising a drive transfer element comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being releasably engageable with a portion of a robot arm and the second portion being releasably engageable with a portion of an instrument, the drive transfer element being movable relative to a bulk portion of the drape so as to transfer drive between the robot arm and the instrument.

Abstract: A scope device includes a shaft, a deflectable portion, and a handle portion. The shaft is inserted through a body lumen to a target area within a body. The shaft defines first and second lumens extending along a proximal portion thereof. The first and second lumens are merged to form a common lumen along a distal portion thereof via a fitting having a structure which, when connected to the first and second lumens, converge the first and second lumens toward the common lumen. The deflectable portion is connected to the distal end of the shaft and includes a channel aligned with and in communication with the common lumen. The handle portion includes a connector having a first hub including a first channel open to and in communication with the first lumen and a second hub including a second channel open to and in communication with the second lumen.

Abstract: A work channel arrangement of an endoscope for guiding medical tools and/or for the through-flow of media. The work channel arrangement has a work channel which is flexible at least in part and extensible relative to the endoscope and which can be moved from a first position, in which the work channel outlet is oriented in the axial direction of the endoscope head, to a second position in which it is extended in the distal direction relative to the first position and in which the work channel outlet is or can be deflected, by means of a guide mechanism, to a predetermined lateral or rearward direction.

Abstract: A deflectable vascular catheter includes a proximal handle assembly, an elongated sheath extending distally from the proximal handle assembly and including a deflectable distal end portion, an actuation mechanism operatively associated within an interior cavity of the proximal handle assembly for deflecting the distal end portion of the sheath, an anchor ring located at a distal end of the deflectable distal end portion of the sheath, and a pull wire extending from the actuation mechanism to the anchor ring. The pull wire has a non-circular cross-section and is laser welded to an exterior surface of the anchoring ring.

Abstract: A catheter system including a wire, a translatable catheter, and first and second tethers is introduced into a body of a subject. The translatable catheter has a curved portion proximate a distal end of the translatable catheter. The first tether is coupled to the wire, and passes proximally through the translatable catheter. The second tether is attached to the curved portion. The catheter system is positioned such that the wire is disposed at a first location in the body. While the wire remains at the first location, the translatable catheter is translated away from the wire by manipulating the first tether and the second tether. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described herein to provide improved steerability for delivering a prosthesis to a body location, for example, for delivering a replacement mitral valve to a native mitral valve location. The steerable delivery system can contain a steerable rail configured for multi-plane bending to direct a distal end of the delivery system.

Abstract: A handle shaft is disposed at a proximal end of a catheter. A wire extends from a distal part of the catheter, proximally through the catheter to the handle shaft. A knob is disposed outside of the handle shaft. A threaded mechanism provides operative coupling between the knob and the handle shaft such that (i) rotation of the knob with respect to the handle shaft alters tension in the wire via the threaded mechanism functioning as a linear actuator; and (ii) non-rotational axial movement of the knob with respect to the handle shaft alters tension in the wire without the threaded mechanism functioning as a linear actuator. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A medical probe includes a shaft, an expandable membrane and a probe maneuvering assembly (PMA). The shaft is configured for insertion into a cavity of an organ of a patient. The PMA is located inside the expandable membrane and includes a first elastic element, which is fitted along a longitudinal axis of the PMA and is configured to expand the membrane by shortening the PMA, and to collapse the membrane by elongating the PMA. The PMA further includes a second elastic element, which surrounds at least a portion of the first elastic element and is configured to deflect the membrane relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A device for removing a clot from a vessel can have dual layers where an inner expandable body runs within an outer expandable body. The device can have a collapsed delivery configuration, an expanded deployed configuration, and a clot pinching configuration. The inner and outer bodies can be a plurality of cells formed by a network of struts. The openings of the cells align when the device is deployed within the clot, where the radial force from the expanding bodies urges portions of the clot through the openings. The inner and outer bodies can be configured to be selectively translatable relative to each other, so that the portions of the clot in the cell openings can be compressed and gripped when the translation transitions the device to the clot pinching configuration. The translation can be maintained to pinch the clot as it is retrieved from the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a catheter assembly and method of applying a catheter assembly. In an example, the catheter assembly can include a catheter body and frame member extending between proximal and distal portions, the frame member having a first mechanical characteristic, and a floating sleeve coupled around the frame member and extending between the proximal and distal portions, the floating sleeve having a second mechanical characteristic different than the first mechanical characteristic. The floating sleeve can include at least one floating segment and one or more anchor segments along the catheter body. The at least one floating segment of the floating sleeve can be moveable relative to the frame member, and the one or more anchor segments of the floating sleeve can be interconnected with the frame member.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods for endoscopic suturing or stitching through an access tube or the like. An endoscopic stitching device is provided and includes a handle assembly; an elongate shaft supported by and extending from the handle assembly; and an end effector supported on a distal end of the elongate shaft. The end effector includes a neck assembly configured and adapted for articulation in one direction between a substantially linear configuration and an off-axis configuration, and a pair of juxtaposed jaws pivotally associated with one another. Each jaw defines a suture needle receiving recess formed in a tissue contacting surface thereof.

Abstract: A medical device comprises a control system, processing modules, and a wire bundle connecting the control system to the processing modules, the wire bundle comprising control lines and data lines. Each processing module is coupled to a respective set of sensors arranged to interface with a biological tissue site, the sensors being configured to capture analog physiological signals generated from the biological tissue site. The control system is configured to generate a control signal on the control lines to initiate a data collection cycle by the processing modules. In response to the control signal, each processing module is configured to perform a respective data collection process which comprises (i) capturing and processing an analog physiological signal on each enabled sensor to generate a data sample for each analog physiological signal captured on each enabled sensor, and (ii) outputting data samples to the control system on the data lines.

Abstract: Surgical instruments with rotation stop devices and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for providing limited rotation between first and second components of the surgical instrument in a range greater than 360 degrees. Exemplary rotation stop devices can have a low profile and can include various features to facilitate packaging of the device within a larger instrument.

Abstract: Described are methods, systems, devices for facilitation of intraluminal medical procedures within the neurovasculature. A catheter advancement device includes a flexible elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a single lumen extending therebetween. The flexible elongate body has a proximal segment, an intermediate segment, and a tip segment. The proximal segment includes a hypotube coated with a polymer. The intermediate segment includes an unreinforced polymer having a durometer of no more than 72D. The tip segment is formed of a polymer different from the intermediate segment and has a durometer of no more than about 35D and a length of at least 5 cm. The tip segment has a tapered portion that tapers distally from a first outer diameter to a second outer diameter over a length of between 1 and 3 cm.

Abstract: A system of needles having rudders or keels is provided having perforations, such as kerfs, to allow the needles to be bent by the manipulations of wires imbedded within the needle body. The pulling or pushing of the embedded wires, or stylets, causes the needle tip to be bent, while within the body, to allow the needle to be steered past impediments towards the target necessitating treatment. Wires can be pulled or pushed and in some instances both a push and pull wire are provided to give the needle precision steerability. The needles are provided with a keel or rudder, or can be shaped such as with a teardrop cross-section, to give a degree of stabilization to the course the needle, and attendant tubing, takes within the patient. The kerf cut section of the needle, which can be on one side, two sides or all about the circumference of the needle, allows the needle to be bent one way and then, as needed, another way to allow the needle to be steered within the body.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides for an elongated medical device with a hypotube backbone running through the device, and a spiral lumen spiraled around the backbone along the length of the backbone. The backbone may be formed from a nitinol alloy for increased bendability without compromising axial stiffness. The device may also incorporate a jacket around the hypotube and spiral lumen formed using either melting, molding, bonding, or casting. The spiral lumen may be configured to accommodate a variety of uses, including actuation members (e.g., pull wires), tools, and means for aspiration, irrigation, image capture, and illumination. Additionally, the present invention provides a method for constructing an elongated medical device with a hypotube backbone running through the device, and a spiral lumen spiraled around the backbone along the length of the backbone.

Abstract: A steerable catheter having a hub with a control feature includes a semi-rigid catheter with the hub attached at the proximal end. The distal end of the catheter includes a distal tip and a flexible portion adjacent the distal tip. The catheter includes a working channel, and further includes a channel through which a tension member or wire extends to the distal tip. Tension in the wire causes the distal tip to deflect and be steered. The hub includes a fixed member attached to the catheter, an inner member that moves axially relative to the fixed member, and an outer member that rotates relative to the inner member and the fixed member. Rotation of the outer member results in translation of the inner member, which is attached to the tension member and provides for controlled steering of the distal tip.

Abstract: A catheter, more particularly an endovascular catheter, with a catheter shaft including a first lumen and a shaft opening, a deflection element and a controlling element. The first lumen and the shaft opening communicate with each other. The deflection element is rotatably arranged inside the catheter shaft, and configured to deflect a guidewire through the shaft opening. The controlling element is operably connected with the deflection element and configured to rotate the deflection element in a first rotating direction . Furthermore, the present invention refers to a catheter assembly with such a catheter and a guidewire.

Abstract: Articulation devices, systems, methods for articulation, and methods for fabricating articulation structures will often include simple balloon arrays, with inflation of the balloons interacting with elongate skeletal support structures so as to locally alter articulation of the skeleton. The skeleton may comprise a simple helical coil or interlocking helical channels, and the array can be used to locally deflect or elongate an axis of the coil under control of a processor. Liquid inflation fluid may be directed so as to pressurize the balloons from an inflation fluid canister, and may vaporize within a plenum or the channels or balloons of the articulation system, with the inflation system preferably including valves controlled by the processor. The articulation structures can be employed in minimally invasive medical catheter systems, and also for industrial robotics, for supporting imaging systems, for entertainment and consumer products, and the like.

Abstract: A surgical access device includes a housing having a tubular member extending therefrom. The tubular member has inner and outer walls defining an annular lumen therebetween. A passageway extends between proximal and distal openings of the tubular member. The passageway is configured to receive a surgical instrument therethrough. A conduit is disposed in the annular lumen and includes spiral segments where each spiral segment is engaged with an adjacent spiral segment. The conduit is flexible in a first state and is fixed in a second state. A valve assembly is coupled to the housing and includes a port that is in fluid communication with the annular lumen. The port is attachable to a source of fluid.

Abstract: A medical probe, including a flexible insertion tube having a proximal segment and a deflectable distal segment, and containing first and second lumens running longitudinally through the insertion tube, wherein the first and second lumens are twisted around each other in the proximal segment, and run parallel to each other in the deflectable distal segment. The medical probe also includes first and second wires running respectively through the first and second lumens and having respective first and second distal ends, which are anchored within the deflectable distal segment of the insertion tube.

Abstract: A connector device for gastric calibration hoses, including a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A first connector is disposed at the first end and a second connector is disposed at the second end. The first and the second connector are connected with each other via a fluid channel. The first connector includes a first tapering cavity sized and shaped to receive and couple with a gastric calibration hose. The second connector includes a second tapering cavity and a tapering recess annularly surrounding the second tapering cavity. The second tapering cavity and the tapering recess are sized and shaped to alternatively couple with different medical devices by receiving therein tubular structures of the different medical devices.

Abstract: A steerable catheter system may include a flexible elongate catheter body, a drive mechanism at the proximal end of the catheter body, and at least one group of pullwires extending along a length of the catheter body. The catheter body may include a distal articulating section and a proximal non-articulating section. Each group of pullwires includes at least two pullwires, and each of the pullwires is anchored at a first end to the distal end of the catheter body and at a second end to the drive mechanism. The pullwires of each group are positioned close to one another in the catheter wall to concentrate the forces and cause deflection along the articulating section of the catheter body and diverge away from one another to reach a more separated distribution around a circumference of the catheter body to distribute the forces and prevent deflection along the non-articulating section.

Abstract: Guidewires useful for cooperating with catheters may be actively steered and/or provide adjustable stiffness. Angle or curvature of a guidewire, and/or flexural modulus of a guidewire, may be adjusted at one or more locations between ends thereof. Variable stiffness segments may include electrically operated compressible and/or extensible materials. Multiple tensile elements may terminate at different body elements to adjust angle or curvature at multiple locations. Multiple circumferentially and/or radially contractible fiber regions may be provided and distributed over a length of a guidewire. Adjustable flexure elements arranged in or along a guidewire may be electrically operated. A flexible core member may be centrally arranged in a tubular body. A flexible guide wire or track may cooperate with electrically operable motor units.

Abstract: An elongate medical device shaft may comprise an elongate body and an annular electrode disposed on the elongate body. The annular electrode may define a longitudinal axis and have an outer diameter. The outer diameter may be greater at an axial center of the electrode than at an axial end of the electrode. Additionally or alternatively, the elongate body may comprise three longitudinal sections having three wall thicknesses. The middle wall thickness may be less than the proximal and distal wall thicknesses and the distal wall thickness may be less than the proximal wall thickness. Additionally or alternatively, the shaft may comprise an inner cylindrical structure and an outer tube. The outer tube may comprise a first radial layer and a second radial layer that is radially-outward of the first radial layer, the first radial layer, second radial layer, and inner structure having different stiffnesses.

Abstract: A medical device includes a handle; flexible tubing extending from the handle and having a proximal end fixed to the handle; flexible tip attached to the distal end of the flexible tubing; a tip actuator assembly adjusting the bending plane of the tip relative to the distal end and adjusting the degree of bending of the tip in the bending plane; user operable controls on the handle and moveable in a first, rotational direction relative to the handle and to a tip actuator assembly around an axis causing the tip actuator assembly to adjust the bending plane of the tip substantially and moveable relative to the handle and the tip actuator assembly along a second, substantially linear direction towards and away from the proximal end of the flexible tubing, causing the tip actuator assembly to adjust bending of the tip in the bending plane without adjusting the bending plane.

Abstract: One aspect is a medical guidewire including a core wire with a proximal end extending out to a distal end and a resilient portion coupled to the distal end of the core wire at a distal tip section of the guidewire. The resilient portion includes a superelastic material.

Abstract: An articulated tip part suitable for an endoscope, where the articulated tip part includes a distal end segment, a proximal end segment and a number of intermediate segments arranged between the distal end segment and the proximal end segment, the segments being joined together to form an articulated assembly of segments, a passage running along the length of the articulated tip part, and a bending element, the bending element being fastened to at least two segments and being arranged along a path which is essentially parallel to a centerline of the articulated tip part.

Abstract: A pair of cooperating catheters are used together to provide rapid access to the Left heart for diagnostic or therapeutic interventions. The initial entry point for the catheter pair is the groin. The pair of catheters can be used to carry out an electrographic determination of the location of the Fossa Ovalis on the septum. Features on the Catheter system permit quick and reliable confirmation of the catheter location via echo or x-rays. Once across the septum the inner catheter is removed from the outer catheter and a standard intervention may be carried out through the lumen of the outer catheter.

Abstract: A catheter includes an insertion tube, a flexible substrate and one or more electrical devices. The insertion tube is configured for insertion into a patient body. The flexible substrate is configured to wrap around a distal end of the insertion tube and includes electrical interconnections. The electrical devices are coupled to the flexible substrate and are connected to the electrical interconnections.

Abstract: A steerable medical catheter includes a tubular body having a longitudinal axis and a distal portion for insertion into a subject, a first pull wire, a second pull wire, and a piezoelectric transducer. The piezoelectric transducer includes a first electrode and a second electrode. At the distal portion of the catheter the first pull wire and the second pull wire are each mechanically coupled to the tubular body at respective first and second offset positions with respect to the longitudinal axis for imparting a curvature on the distal portion of the catheter. At the distal portion of the catheter the first pull wire is electrically connected to the first electrode of the piezoelectric transducer and the second pull wire is electrically connected to the second electrode of the piezoelectric transducer.

Abstract: A system that executes a process for mapping cardiac fibrillation and optimizing ablation treatments. The process, in some embodiments, includes: positioning a two dimensional electrode array to several locations in a patient's heart and at each location, obtaining a conduction velocity and a cycle length measurement from at least two local signals in response to electrical activity in the cardiac tissue. In some embodiments, a regional wavelength is calculated by multiplying the local conduction velocity with the local minimum cycle length. The system can then create a wavelength distribution map that identifies the location of the drivers in the heart. In certain embodiments, the system uses variability of conduction velocity and cycle length in an area to determine the driver type. In some embodiments, the system calculates average distance of drivers to non-conductive tissue boundaries. The system then selects ablation placements that maximize treatment efficacy while minimizing tissue damage.

Abstract: A catheter has a body including a proximal region, a neck region, and a distal region. A shaping wire is disposed within the distal region to predispose it into at least a partial loop, which may have a fixed or variable radius of curvature. The shaping wire includes a distal portion having a circular transverse cross-sectional shape and a proximal portion having a non-circular (e.g., rectangular) transverse cross-sectional shape. The proximal portion of the shaping wire can have a width-to-thickness ratio of at least about 4, such as about 4.67. A transition portion can promote a gradual transition from the circular to the non-circular transverse cross-sectional shape, for example by increasing a width of the shaping wire by about 0.001? and/or by decreasing a thickness of the shaping wire by about 0.001? for every about 0.004? in length through the transition portion.

Abstract: A system for manipulating a guide catheter within a patient's nasal passages or sinus cavities includes a guide catheter formed from an elongate flexible member having a lumen passing there through. A wire guide is slidably disposed within the lumen of the guide catheter. The system further includes a steering member fixedly secured to a proximal end of the wire guide and a proximal hub secured to a proximal end of the guide catheter. The system further includes a recessed handle having a first recess for fixedly receiving the proximal hub of the guide catheter and a second recess for receiving the steering member, the second recess being dimensioned to permit axial and rotational movement of the steering member while disposed in the second recess.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to surgical instruments having adjustable stiffness, and more particularly, surgical instruments having adjustable stiffness for ophthalmic surgical procedures. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument includes a probe, a slidable support sleeve, and a rotatable knob. A stiffness level of the probe may be adjusted by rotating the knob, thereby causing linear displacement of the support sleeve along a length of the probe. The knob may further include a dial depicting a series of settings representing different eye sizes and corresponding to preset positions of the support sleeve relative to the probe. Thus, a user may select an optimal stiffness of the probe for a particular eye size by rotating the knob to the corresponding setting.

Abstract: An active return curve deflectable catheter includes an elongate member, a fixation member, a deflection assembly, and a pull wire. The fixation member is coupled to a distal portion of the elongate member. The deflection assembly includes a hub assembly coupled to a proximal end of the elongate member, a handle, and a control member. The pull wire extends from the control member through the hub assembly to the fixation member. The elongate member is configured to deflect from an initial configuration to a deflected configuration in response to a pull force applied to the pull wire by actuation of the control member in a first direction.

Abstract: A deflectable catheter includes an elongate member having a wall defining a longitudinally extending lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a fixation member coupled to an exterior surface of the wall on a distal portion of the elongate member, and a pull wire extending through the wall of the elongate member from the proximal end of the elongate member to the fixation member. The pull wire is coupled to the fixation member and constrained along its length such that the elongate member is configured to deflect from an initial configuration to a deflected configuration in response to a pull force applied to the pull wire and actively return from the deflected configuration to the initial configuration in response to a push force applied to the pull wire.

Abstract: A medical device comprises a control system, processing modules, and a wire bundle connecting the control system to the processing modules, the wire bundle comprising control lines and data lines. Each processing module is coupled to a respective set of sensors arranged to interface with a biological tissue site, the sensors being configured to capture analog physiological signals generated from the biological tissue site. The control system is configured to generate a control signal on the control lines to initiate a data collection cycle by the processing modules. In response to the control signal, each processing module is configured to perform a respective data collection process which comprises (i) capturing and processing an analog physiological signal on each enabled sensor to generate a data sample for each analog physiological signal captured on each enabled sensor, and (ii) outputting data samples to the control system on the data lines.

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: An apparatus and method for an articulating microsurgical instrument is disclosed herein. The articulating microsurgical instrument may be configured to be operable with a Doppler probe, bone grasper, soft tissue grasper/dissector, scissors, flexible forceps, or a suction/irrigation line configured to provide tools within a surgical location that can be adjusted to a desired angle of operation. A tip assembly may comprise an articulating portion at a distal tip and the articulating portion may be configured to deflect upon actuation of an articulation control. The articulation control may be a trigger assembly or a roller wheel. A bayonet-style handle may include a set of posts configured to interact with the one or more control wires during actuation of the articulation control. One or more control wires may be housed in a lumen and actuated using a articulation control of a handle assembly.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a medical device having a longitudinal axis, and including a handle and a catheter. The handle can include a body having a proximal end and a distal end, an actuator moveably coupled to the body, and a handle control member coupled to the actuator, wherein the actuator can be configured to move relative to the body to move the handle control member. The catheter can include a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the shaft and the distal end of the body can be configured for releasable coupling. The catheter can also include a steering section located along the shaft and a catheter control member coupled to the steering section, wherein the catheter control member can be configured to move relative to the shaft to move the steering section relative to the longitudinal axis.