A sheath assembly includes a first sheath, a second sheath, and an attachment mechanism. The first sheath includes a first sheath inner surface defining a first sheath lumen extending along a first sheath central longitudinal axis between a first sheath first end portion and a first sheath second end portion. The second sheath includes a second sheath inner surface defining a second sheath lumen extending along a second sheath longitudinal axis between a second sheath first end portion and a second sheath second end portion. The attachment mechanism couples the second sheath to the first sheath. The attachment mechanism includes an attachment mechanism step-up dilation. At least a portion of the attachment mechanism is asymmetrical, at the attachment mechanism step-up dilation, about the first sheath central longitudinal axis.

Delivery systems for implanting cardiac valve repair devices are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a delivery system includes a delivery catheter, a hub shaft extending through the delivery catheter, and a core shaft extending through the hub shaft. The delivery catheter is configured to hold a valve repair device in a compressed configuration. The hub shaft includes a hub configured to releasably engage a first portion of the valve repair device, and the core shaft includes a plug configured to releasably engage a second portion of the valve repair device. When the valve repair device is unsheathed from the delivery catheter, the hub shaft and the core shaft are independently movable to axially elongate/compress the valve repair device. When the valve repair device is properly positioned, the hub can be actuated to release the first portion of the valve repair device, and the plug can be actuated to release the second portion of the valve repair device.

A conveyor and a conveyor system are provided. The conveyor comprises a lumen assembly and a self-locking mechanism connected to the lumen assembly, wherein the lumen assembly comprises an inner core tube, a recovery sheath movably surrounding the inner core tube, and an outer sheath movably surrounding the recovery sheath; the self-locking mechanism is connected to the recovery sheath; and the outer sheath can move relative to the inner core tube in an axial direction of the conveyor. The self-locking mechanism has a self-locked state and an unlocked state, wherein when the self-locking mechanism is in the unlocked state, the recovery sheath can move relative to the inner core tube in the axial direction of the conveyor; and when the self-locking mechanism is in the self-locked state, the recovery sheath maintains stationary relative to the inner core tube.

A locking catheter system includes a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a lock body having a system lumen extending through the lock body, wherein first and second catheters are received in the system lumen. A system channel extends from the system lumen, and the system channel is configured to receive one or more of the first or second catheters. A locking channel having a lock element extends from the system lumen. The locking channel is configured to receive one or more of the first or second catheters. In an unlocked configuration the first and second catheters are received in the system channel and are movable relative to the lock body. In the locked configuration at least the second catheter is received in the locking channel, the second catheter is statically coupled with the lock body, and the first catheter is movable relative to the lock body.

A vascular introducer system includes a first vascular introducer having an elongated first deflectable catheter sheath defining a lumen having an interior surface with an inner diameter. A tubular insert having a polygonal cross-section is associated with the interior lumen of the first catheter sheath. The system includes a second vascular introducer having an elongated second deflectable catheter sheath defining an exterior surface with an outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the interior surface of the first catheter sheath.

A catheter including a sheath configured to be inserted into a lumen; a drive shaft inserted into the sheath; an image information acquiring unit fixed to a distal end of the drive shaft and acquires image information; a hub which moves the drive shaft in an axial direction of the sheath; an outer tube on a proximal end side of the sheath and includes a first connector at a proximal end thereof; a second connector which includes on a proximal end side of the outer tube a male connector able to be connected to and disconnected from the first connector; and an inner tube on a distal end side of the hub, that moves with respect to the outer tube along with the movement of the hub.

The present disclosure provides a catheter system and methods for use that includes (a) a first catheter having a first end and a second end, where the first catheter has a first diameter, (b) a second catheter having a first end and a second end, where the second catheter has a second diameter that is less than the first diameter of the first catheter, and where the second catheter is positioned at least partially within a lumen of the first catheter and is moveable relative to the first catheter, and (c) a wire having a first end and a second end, where the first end of the wire is coupled to the second catheter.

Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that help deliver catheters or other medical devices to locations within a patient's body. The device comprises a transporter catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, at least a first balloon located at the distal end, substantially at a tip of the transporter catheter, and at least a second balloon located between the distal end and the proximal end of the transporter catheter. The first balloon is an orienting balloon and the second balloon is an anchor balloon. The transporter catheter may include a single lumen or more than one lumen. The transporter catheter may include a shaft comprising an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer may be made of a material more flexible than the material of the outer layer. The outer layer may also comprise a braided wire assembly, said braided wire assembly being formed by braiding a plurality of flat wires or circular wires. The braided wire assembly may wrap around the inner layer. The transporter catheter may comprise a shaft that may include a plurality of segments of varying degrees of hardness. The degree of hardness of the segment of the shaft of the transporter catheter located between the first balloon and the second balloon may be less than the degree of hardness of the segment of the shaft between the second balloon and the proximal end of the catheter.

A method of delivering a therapeutic agent into a patient vessel with a delivery device is provided. The delivery device includes an infusion lumen through which the agent is delivered, a vessel occluder that can be operated between a collapsed and an expanded configuration, and when in the expanded configuration occludes the vessel, and a pressure sensor shielded from the effects of turbulent flow at an exit of the infusion lumen. The shield pressure sensor is able to accurately sense pressure in the vessel. The sensed pressure is used to determine a dwell time for the vessel occluder in the expanded configuration.

An expandable introducer sheath with an interlock dilator. The present technology provides an expandable sheath with a step feature inside its distal opening, and a dilator with an interlock that includes a catch surface that is configured to engage with the step feature of the expandable sheath. When the step feature engages the catch surface, it resists further relative movement so that the body of the dilator is prevented from exiting the distal end of the expandable sheath. The nature of the interlocking engagement between the step feature and the catch surface allows the dilator to be used to extend and maintain tension on the expandable sheath during insertion into a patient, and then to be retracted from the expandable sheath by simply pulling the dilator in the opposite direction. The present technology also provides a dilator hub with a spring mechanism configured to achieve and maintain a desired tension on the expandable sheath and to prevent overextension of the expandable sheath when the dilator is being inserted into the expandable sheath.