Coronary access and delivery systems are provided. A coronary access system can include a coronary sinus guide and a first core. A lateral vein delivery system can include a lateral vein introducer and a second core. The coronary sinus guide, the lateral vein introducer, and the first and second cores may be designed or shaped to access a predetermined position within a heart of a subject. For example, the coronary sinus guide, the lateral vein introducer, and/or the first and second cores can be used in combination to access the predetermined position within the heart of the subject.

A biologics delivery device and method of use for promoting angiogenesis in occluded vessels and ischemic tissue of a patient are provided, wherein the biologics delivery device includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal region having a distal end, a lumen extending there between, and a plurality of through-wall apertures distributed along the distal region, the plurality of through-wall apertures in fluid communication with the proximal end and the lumen, and an expandable member disposed in the distal region, the expandable member configured to transition between a collapsed state and an expanded state. Methods of using the inventive biologics delivery device also are provided to achieve substantially uniform distribution of the biologic into a subintimal space.

A system for ablating internal heart tissue in an ablation pattern on a surface of the tissue within the heart. The system includes an ablation catheter with a distal end having an ablating tip portion operative to allow selective ablation of tissue. A guiding device is engageable with the ablation catheter and includes a tissue anchoring portion operable to engage with tissue proximate to the tissue to be ablated so as to temporarily anchor the guiding device relative to the tissue. Engagement of the guiding device with the ablation catheter operates to assist with guiding the ablating tip portion in moving along the pattern. Various devices and methods of use are further disclosed.

Apparatus and methods are described including inserting a catheter into a subject's body via a vein of the subject's groin. The catheter is advanced distally such that a distal end of the catheter is disposed inside the subject's renal vein. Respective stabilizing portions of the catheter stabilize the catheter by being in contact with inner walls of, respectively, an iliac vein of the subject, and a vena cava of the subject. Subsequently, a medical device is deployed inside the renal vein by retracting the distal end of the catheter, such that the distal end of the catheter is in a retracted state, in which the respective stabilizing portions of the catheter still stabilize the catheter by being in contact with the inner walls of, respectively, the subject's iliac vein and the subject's vena cava. Other applications are also described.

A catheter assembly for navigation including a flexible catheter having a proximal portion adjacent a proximal end and a distal portion adjacent a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis, the flexible catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough along a longitudinal axis and configured to enable translation of an instrument from the proximal end to the distal end. The flexible catheter defines a compound curve formed on the distal portion, wherein the compound curve includes an elbow bend and a radially curved portion. The elbow bend deflecting the distal portion of the flexible catheter from the longitudinal axis, while the radially curved portion extends from the elbow bend farther deflecting the distal portion about a center point. The catheter guide assembly for navigation includes a control handle disposed at the proximal end of the flexible catheter and is configured to advance and rotate the flexible catheter within a luminal structure.

A dilation catheter system includes a body, a guidewire, and a dilation catheter having an elongate shaft. The dilation catheter system may include a locking mechanism to prevent the guidewire from moving relative to the elongate shaft or to lock the guidewire to the dilation catheter to form a fixed wire unit. The dilation catheter system may include a stabilizing tube extending from an actuator, to provide rigidity to the guidewire. The dilation catheter may include a grip element having a plurality of grip features disposed thereon. The dilation catheter may include a cap biased toward a first longitudinal position and movable to a second longitudinal position. A guide catheter secured to the cap is prevented from changing angular orientation in the first longitudinal position and is free to change angular orientation in the second longitudinal position.

The present invention provides a coronary sinus inspiration catheter comprising a catheter head section and an extension tube, which are hollow tubular structures, the catheter head section and a distal section of the extension tube are substantially arc-shaped, the catheter head section comprises an arc section and a bend section, and its length is about 4-10 cm, the distal end is small (3-6 F) and the tube diameter of the catheter head section increase gradually toward the proximal end (6-12 F), the catheter head section is bent at a 15-45° angle at the position which has a distance of 0.5-1.5 cm from the distal end, the bend section is a straight or slightly arc-shaped structure. The catheter head section is provided with an end hole and a plurality of side holes, and is equidistantly provided with radiopaque markers from the distal end to the proximal end.

Embodiments include an interventional guide catheter, comprising: a main tubular shaft with a distal tip and proximal end; the main tubular shaft comprising: a main inner structural layer comprising a metallic helically wound multi-filar wire extending from a proximal tube termination to a distal end, a braided wire layer covering the main inner structural layer that extends from the proximal tube termination to the distal end, an outer layer of polymer jacketing fixedly attached to the main inner structural layer and braid layer, an inner layer of polymer jacketing and fixedly attached to the main inner structural layer, a distal tip made of layers of polymer, a distal end curve shape for anatomical conformance that is heat processed in the main metal portion of the structure; and a lamination of the inner layer, main inner structural layer, braided wire layer and outer layer. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Novel and unique medical devices and associated methods are disclosed, for a medical device for puncturing tissue at a tissue site. The medical device is an elongate member having a proximal section, a distal section, and a rail section therebetween. The medical device includes an active tip at a distal end of the distal section and is operable to deliver energy to create a puncture through the tissue. The rail section is configured to both act as a rail for supporting installation of one or more tubular members thereupon, as well as be maneuverable for enabling access to the tissue site.

Robotic systems and methods for the automatic guidance of medical catheters into anatomical structures during various medical procedures are disclosed. A motor controlled insertion mechanism and a motor controlled rotation mechanism are configured to combine catheter insertion and rotation such as to twist the catheter while advancing into the anatomical structure. A navigation-system determines the position in the anatomical structure of a tracking-sensor disposed on the tip of the catheter. The motion of the catheter is controlled via the motors A controller controls, via the motors, the movement of the catheter into the anatomical structure function of the position of the tracking sensor. The methods, systems and devices described herein significantly decrease X-ray exposure to both patient and doctor, minimize friction between the catheter and robotic components, reduce the size of robotic systems, reduce production costs, and reduce the duration of clinical procedures.