A dilator comprises a guide extending through a tube, and a slidable sleeve exterior to the tube, such that a slit in the tube extending from a first end of the tube to a second end of the tube, opposite of the first end, is closed by a force applied via the slidable sleeve. When closed, the slit does not interfere with the tube being used as a dilator to dilate tissues of a patient through which the guide extends. When opened, the slit allows the tube to be placed onto the guide or removed from the guide.

In various embodiments of the invention, a manipulator attaches to and allows a sheath to be positioned inside the cervix and a catheter to thereby be inserted through the sheath and be positioned in a desired location in the uterus. In various embodiments of the invention, the manipulator may be attached or permanently connected to the sheath. In various embodiments of the invention, the sheath is fenestrated to allow the catheter to be detached from the sheath. In various embodiments of the invention, the manipulator allows the sheath to be positioned through the cervix canal to allow for catheter transmitted intrauterine pressure monitoring or balloon catheter assisted ripening of the cervix.

A method of making a multi-lumen catheter may include disposing an outer surface of a mandrel against an outer surface of a first catheter; disposing a first heat shrink material around the first catheter and the mandrel; heating the first catheter and the mandrel to form a U-shaped channel along the outer surface of the first catheter; removing the first heat shrink material and the mandrel from the first catheter; placing a second catheter into the U-shaped channel; disposing a second heat shrink material around the first catheter and the second catheter such that the second catheter is retained within the U-shaped channel; and heating the first catheter and the second catheter to cause reflow between the first catheter and the second catheter to form the multi-lumen catheter.

A rapid exchange catheter comprises a guide wire lumen including a substantially sealed portion in which a lumen wall extends around an entire periphery thereof and a channel portion including a channel opening the lumen to an exterior of the catheter, wherein a width of the channel is less than a maximum width of the channel portion. A guide wire ramp extends into the channel portion, with the ramp extending further into the lumen of the channel portion as a distal end of the ramp is approached.

An introducer sheath includes an elongated outer sheath and an elongated inner sheath coaxially disposed within the outer sheath. The elongated outer sheath includes an outer sheath wall extending circumferentially about a longitudinal axis of the outer sheath to an extent greater than 180° and less than 360° to define an outer sheath slot. The elongated inner sheath includes an inner sheath wall extending circumferentially about a longitudinal axis of the inner sheath to an extent greater than the difference between 360° and the circumferential extent of the outer sheath wall, and less than 360° to define an inner sheath slot. The inner sheath is rotatable relative to the outer sheath to form an enclosed lumen when the outer and inner sheath slots are not aligned, and to form an open slot along the entire length of the introducer sheath when the outer and inner sheath slots are aligned.

A catheter assembly may include a catheter adapter, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending therethrough. The catheter assembly may also include a septum slidably disposed within the lumen. The septum may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a barrier disposed between the distal end of the septum and the proximal end of the septum. The barrier may divide an interior of the septum into a distal cavity and a proximal cavity. A distal face of the barrier may include a protrusion. The barrier may include a slit extending through the protrusion for selectively opening fluid communication between the distal cavity and the proximal cavity.

A device guide includes a distal portion configured for insertion through a guide catheter so as to extend out of a distal end of the guide catheter into a branch blood vessel. The distal portion of the device guide has a semi-tubular shape chosen so as to guide an intravascular device inserted through the guide catheter into the branch blood vessel

An introducer extension with an extended, gradually curved section outside of the body enables a clinician to use an access site positioned across the body of that patient. An optional flexible or extendable section of the introducer extension allows a clinician to customize the shape of the introducer extension to a particular patient or clinician preference. The introducer extension includes a tubular sidewall extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end of the introducer extension to a distal end of the introducer extension and defining a lumen extending along the longitudinal axis. The tubular sidewall is configured to define a curved configuration having at least one curve between the proximal end and the distal end. The distal end is configured to couple to an introducer sheath. The lumen is configured to allow passage of a medical device.

A deflectable shaft catheter may include a handle extending laterally from a hub of the catheter to form an acute angle therewith, wherein the handle contains a wire controller and a guide that rotates in plane with the angle. A spring biased slider of the wire controller, for the aforementioned handle, or an in-line handle sans the guide, may include first and second parts between which a proximal end of the wire extends and bends into a bore formed in the first part. Alternately, the slider includes an elastomeric core sandwiched between first and second parts thereof. The slider may further include a cavity in which a spring member biases the proximal end of the wire toward a distal end of the cavity, but only forces the wire to the cavity distal end, if a predetermined spring force of the member is greater than an opposing force along the wire.

A guide catheter extension, including a push member having a lumen, a proximal end and a distal end; a tube frame defining a lumen therein, a longitudinal axis, and a proximal segment and a distal segment, wherein the tube frame comprises a plurality of cut patterns therein; and a tongue element extending from the proximal segment of the tube frame, wherein the tongue element is coupled to the push member.