A device, a method of making a device and a method of inserting a device into a tubular path. The device includes a tubular sheath with one or more helical slots formed therein and a control element that fits within the sheath. In one form, the device is an endoluminal device that simultaneously improves flexibility and structural rigidity though variations in one or both of slot width along the length of the slot and slot pitch along the length of the tubular sheath. When the operator pulls at the proximal end of the control element while holding the outer sheath in place, the slots will tend to close in a preferential manner such that more precise control of device length and bending is enabled, while simultaneously providing improvements in structural rigidity during device insertion and navigation through a body lumen or related tubular member where tortuous paths may be encountered along the member path.

A device, a method of making a device and a method of inserting a device into a tubular path. The device includes a tubular sheath with one or more helical slots formed therein and a control element that fits within the sheath. In one form, the device is an endoluminal device that simultaneously improves flexibility and structural rigidity though variations in one or both of slot width along the length of the slot and slot pitch along the length of the tubular sheath. When the operator pulls at the proximal end of the control element while holding the outer sheath in place, the slots will tend to close in a preferential manner such that more precise control of device length and bending is enabled, while simultaneously providing improvements in structural rigidity during device insertion and navigation through a body lumen or related tubular member where tortuous paths may be encountered along the member path.

A catheter assembly including a catheter and a stylet disposed within a lumen of the catheter, the lumen having a closed distal end. The stylet includes a sensor at the distal end of the stylet and the sensor is located within a sensor pocket at the closed distal end of the lumen. An aperture extending through a luminal wall between the sensor pocket and the exterior of the catheter defines an electrical pathway between the sensor and the patient vasculature. A tapered distal portion of the catheter extends away from the distal end of the catheter and the sensor pocket is disposed along the tapered distal portion. A fluid opening extending between the lumen and the exterior of the catheter is disposed proximal the sensor pocket. A coated portion of the stylet includes an electrically insulative coating and the coated portion is disposed adjacent the fluid opening.

A medical device is disclosed for cutting substances inside a body lumen. The medical device includes: a rotatable tubular drive shaft; a treatment member arranged on a distal side of the drive shaft; a device handle configured to locate the drive shaft; a guide cover located in the device handle and disposed to cover the drive shaft; an outer sheath disposed to cover the guide cover and located in a housing of the device handle; a first sealing member located proximal to a proximal end of the outer sheath and proximal to a fluid connection, the fluid connection configured to supply a saline solution into the outer sheath on the guide cover; and a drainage tube located proximal to the outer sheath and the first sealing member, the drainage tube being located in the housing of the device handle, and the drainage tube is fixed with respect to the housing.

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.

A catheter is provided comprising localized regions of modified flexibility. The regions of modified flexibility may comprise a softened inner liner, for example softened via stretching the inner liner or disposing a plurality of holes in the inner liner, to modify the bending stiffness and/or tensile stiffness of the catheter. The catheter may further include an axially extending filament that at least partially overlaps the softened portion of the inner liner. The axially extending filament may include an anchoring section to anchor the at least one axially extending filament in a section of the catheter that includes the helical coil.

A manual skiver (10) for precise removal of outside material from an elongated device, such as a medical catheter or the like, includes a longitudinal recess (11) in a planar bottom surface (24) at the front end, a transverse replaceable blade (28) therein, a removable cover (32), and a handle (22) extending from the back end thereof. A second embodiment (66) is also disclosed.

An introducer with a steerable distal tip section is disclosed. The steerable distal tip section may comprise an articulation support member comprising a laser-cut pattern of symmetrical elongated apertures in which the shape of each aperture is defined by at least three radii, a central radii being the largest and two end radii being smaller. This pattern of apertures can minimize ovaling of the cross-sectional shape of introducer shaft over the length of the deflectable section. The introducer can articulate in multiple planes. A tension pull wire can allow the introducer to resist directional bias.

The present invention relates to a shaft for a catheter which may be usable having a tubular core which may be usable with a minimally invasive procedure such as intravascular medical treatment system. It also relates to a method of fabricating such shaft. The shaft has a longitudinal axis defining a radial distance, and a cross section having a polar axis defining an angular position, wherein the shaft comprises a tubular core which has an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter, and an outer layer for improving mechanical properties, which encloses the tubular core such that the outer perimeter of the core and the outer layer face each other, wherein the radial distance between the outer perimeter and the inner perimeter differs at different polar angular positions, forming zones of different stiffness at different angular positions, wherein different planes of the shaft oriented along the longitudinal axis and cutting the cross section at different polar angular positions have different flexural properties which are determined by the stiffness of the zones.

A catheter includes: a tubular structure having a longitudinal axis; wherein the tubular structure comprises first and second rings arranged in series along the longitudinal axis, the first and second rings being respective closed-loops, wherein the first ring lies within a first plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; wherein the tubular structure comprises a first connecting member having a first end, a second end, and a member body; and a second connecting member comprises a first end, a second end, and a member body; and wherein the second end of the first connecting member and the first end of the second connecting member are connected to the first ring, and disposed across from each other, and wherein the second end of the second connective member is connected to the second ring, and wherein the respective member bodies are configured to rotate and/or bent.