A robotic catheter system including a first drive mechanism configured to interact with an elongated medical device to cause the elongated medical device to move along its longitudinal axis. A controller provides a signal to a motor to move the first wiping surface toward the longitudinal axis when the elongated device is being withdrawn from a patient.

A flow control device comprises a laminate structure of an electroactive material layer and a non-actuatable layer. An array of orifices is formed in one of the layers wherein the orifices are open in one of the rest state and actuated state and the orifices are closed in the other of the rest state and actuated state. Actuation of the electroactive material layer causes orifices to open and close so that flow control function may be implemented.

Methods for making medical devices and portions of medical devices (e.g., intravascular catheters, catheter shafts, and tubular guiding members) are provided. Example methods may include providing a first ribbon comprising one or more thermoplastic materials and a piece of shrink tubing defining a shrink tube lumen and forming a first assembly by positioning the first ribbon inside the shrink tube lumen and urging the first ribbon to assume a tubular shape in which the first ribbon defines a ribbon lumen. A second assembly may be formed by loading an inner tubular member over a mandrel and forming or placing a support structure over an outer surface of the inner tubular member. A third assembly may be formed by inserting the second assembly into the ribbon lumen defined by the first ribbon of the first assembly. The third assembly may be heated to a process temperature.

Catheter-supported therapeutic and diagnostic tools can be introduced into a patient body with a sheath slidably disposed over the tool. Once the tool is aligned with a target tissue, a first fluid-driven actuator can move the sheath axially from over the tool, for example, to allow a stent, stent-graft, prosthetic valve, or other self-expanding tool, to expand radially within the cardiovascular system, without having to transmit large deployment forces along the catheter shaft and sheath from outside the patient. A second fluid-driven actuator can be arranged in opposition to the first actuator to control release of the expanding tool or to recapture the tool within the sheath. The first and/or second actuators may comprise a balloon having a diameter larger than the sheath to provide the desired deployment and recapture forces with moderate fluid pressure.

A neurovascular catheter is provided, such as for distal neurovascular access or aspiration. The catheter includes an elongate flexible tubular body, having a proximal end, a distal end and a side wall defining a central lumen. A distal zone of the tubular body includes a tubular inner liner, a tie layer separated from the lumen by the inner liner, a helical coil surrounding the tie layer, an outer jacket surrounding the helical coil, and an opening at the distal end. Adjacent windings of the helical coil are spaced progressively further apart in the distal direction. The opening at the distal end of the tubular body is enlargeable from a first inside diameter for transluminal navigation to a second, larger inside diameter to facilitate aspiration of thrombus into the lumen.

A system of topographic patterns for the prevention of bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. The patterns may be provided on the surfaces of certain devices that are prone to bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, such as urinary catheters. To reduce bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, and to remove existing biofilms, the patterns are induced to transform from a first topography to a second topography. For example, the surface patterns may be formed from a shape memory polymer and then heated to transform the patterns from the first topography to the second topography to dislodge bacteria and prevent fouling.

A variety of nanoparticles or microparticles may be used to treat diseases such as restenosis or blood clots. For example, a nanoparticle or microparticle may include a core having a biodegradable polymer, an exterior having hydrophilic moieties. and a therapeutic agent. The nanoparticles may include targeting moieties that target the nanoparticle or microparticle to an arterial lesion. The nanoparticle or microparticle may include an exterior shell around the core to increase stability of the nanoparticle or microparticle. The nanoparticle or microparticle may include a magnetic particle to allow targeted delivery of the nanoparticle or microparticle via a magnetic field. The nanoparticles or microparticles may be coated on a medical device, such as a catheter balloon or a stent, or may be delivered systemically or locally to patients in need thereof.

An elongate, flexible, medical device having distal and proximal ends, including an inner member having a proximal and distal end, a support member extending around the inner member between the proximal and distal end, a plurality of electrically-conductive wires, each braided with the support member having a proximal and distal end, an outer member surrounding the inner member, the support member, and the plurality of electrically-conductive wires and an actuator including a polymer electrolyte layer secured adjacent to the distal end of the elongate, flexible inner member and defining an exterior surface, electrodes distributed about the exterior of the polymer electrolyte layer. The distal end of one of the electrically-conductive wires is electrically connected to one of the electrodes. The polymer electrolyte layer is configured to deform asymmetrically in response to the application of an electrical signal through the plurality of electrically-conductive wires to the plurality of electrodes.

The present disclosure provides modified polymeric thin-walled tubes with one or more conductive pathways along at least a part of a length or a circumference of the polymeric tube, suitable for use as liners in catheter construction. The one or more conductive pathways are formed of a conductive ink and are on a surface of the polymeric tube and not embedded within the walls of the tube.

A catheter configured for placement within a bodily lumen, comprises: a catheter sheath defining a first lumen for medical tools; and an exchange segment defining a second lumen for a guidewire. A proximal end of the exchange segment is joined with a distal end of the catheter sheath in a lengthwise direction forming an angle therebetween, such that the second lumen is laterally offset by a distance and angled with respect to the first lumen. When the catheter is placed within a patient's anatomy, the catheter sheath and/or the exchange segment straightens out so that the axis of the second lumen and the axis of the first lumen become substantially parallel to each other. The offset distance between the axes of sheath and exchange segment depends mainly on the diameter of the guidewire to be used, on the diameter of the sheath, and the angle of the junction.