Provided is a medical tubular body delivering device that is less likely to kink without reducing operability. The device has an outer tube through which the medical tubular body is disposed; a guidewire insertion member provided proximal to the medical tubular body; and an inner insertion member provided in the outer tube, and the guidewire insertion member has a penetration passage; a guidewire tube is provided in the penetration passage; the inner insertion member is partially fixed to the guidewire insertion member; a protection member is provided outside a part of the inner insertion member proximal to a fixing portion; the protection member has a reduced-area section where the protection member has a cross-sectional area in a cross-section perpendicular to an axis direction decreases towards a distal end; and the protection member in the reduced-area section is biasedly located against the guidewire tube with respect to the inner insertion member.

Provided is a medical tubular body delivering device that is less likely to kink without reducing operability. The device has an outer tube through which the medical tubular body is disposed; a guidewire insertion member provided proximal to the medical tubular body; and an inner insertion member provided in the outer tube, and the guidewire insertion member has a penetration passage; a guidewire tube is provided in the penetration passage; the inner insertion member is partially fixed to the guidewire insertion member; a protection member is provided outside a part of the inner insertion member proximal to a fixing portion; the protection member has a reduced-area section where the protection member has a cross-sectional area in a cross-section perpendicular to an axis direction decreases towards a distal end; and the protection member in the reduced-area section is biasedly located against the guidewire tube with respect to the inner insertion member.

Sinusitis and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches with flexible or rigid instruments. Various methods and devices are used for remodeling or changing the shape, size or configuration of a sinus ostium or duct or other anatomical structure in the ear, nose or throat; implanting a device, cells or tissues; removing matter from the ear, nose or throat; delivering diagnostic or therapeutic substances or performing other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Introducing devices (e.g., guide catheters, tubes, guidewires, elongate probes, other elongate members) may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g. catheters e.g. balloon catheters, guidewires, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, devices for implanting elements like stents, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for delivering diagnostic or therapeutic agents, substance delivery implants, scopes etc.) into the paranasal sinuses or other structures in the ear, nose or throat. Specific devices (e.g., tubular guides, guidewires, balloon catheters, tubular sheaths) are provided as are methods for manufacturing and using such devices to treat disorders of the ear, nose or throat.

Sinusitis and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches with flexible or rigid instruments. Various methods and devices are used for remodeling or changing the shape, size or configuration of a sinus ostium or duct or other anatomical structure in the ear, nose or throat; implanting a device, cells or tissues; removing matter from the ear, nose or throat; delivering diagnostic or therapeutic substances or performing other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Introducing devices (e.g., guide catheters, tubes, guidewires, elongate probes, other elongate members) may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g. catheters e.g. balloon catheters, guidewires, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, devices for implanting elements like stents, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for delivering diagnostic or therapeutic agents, substance delivery implants, scopes etc.) into the paranasal sinuses or other structures in the ear, nose or throat. Specific devices (e.g., tubular guides, guidewires, balloon catheters, tubular sheaths) are provided as are methods for manufacturing and using such devices to treat disorders of the ear, nose or throat.

This document relates to the apparatus and methods used in the minimally invasive creation of arteriovenous fistula (AVF). In particular, the invention relates to the creation of an AVF using catheters and an alignment methodology that is based upon detection of asymmetric electric fields. The invention finds particular application in vascular access (VA) in the hemodialysis (HD) population.

Medical instruments such as catheter systems and endoscopic systems that exhibit reduced backlash during their operation are disclosed. The reduction of backlash avoids the use of protrusions or fins that can significantly obstruct fluid flow through working channels of the instruments. According to one embodiment, a medical instrument comprises a first member having an inside surface defining a first lumen and a second member extending in the first lumen and having an outside surface cooperating with the inner surface of the first member to define an intermediate longitudinal passage therebetween. One of the inside surface of the first member and the outside surface of the second member is permanently formed to have a sinuous shape defining predisposed locations for contacting the other one of the inner surface of the first member and the outer surface of the second member to reduce backlash during relative longitudinal movement.

Medical instruments such as catheter systems and endoscopic systems that exhibit reduced backlash during their operation are disclosed. The reduction of backlash avoids the use of protrusions or fins that can significantly obstruct fluid flow through working channels of the instruments. According to one embodiment, a medical instrument comprises a first member having an inside surface defining a first lumen and a second member extending in the first lumen and having an outside surface cooperating with the inner surface of the first member to define an intermediate longitudinal passage therebetween. One of the inside surface of the first member and the outside surface of the second member is permanently formed to have a sinuous shape defining predisposed locations for contacting the other one of the inner surface of the first member and the outer surface of the second member to reduce backlash during relative longitudinal movement.

The present disclosure provides an improved guidewire assembly including a sensor disposed on a distal portion thereof and a proximal connector disposed on a proximal portion thereof for electrically coupling the guidewire assembly to an external device. The proximal connector comprises at least one proximal contact and at least one reflowed insulative element disposed adjacent the at least one proximal contact.

The present disclosure provides an improved guidewire assembly including a sensor disposed on a distal portion thereof and a proximal connector disposed on a proximal portion thereof for electrically coupling the guidewire assembly to an external device. The proximal connector comprises at least one proximal contact and at least one reflowed insulative element disposed adjacent the at least one proximal contact.

Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of assembling an intravascular device is provided that includes positioning a first tubular member around a plurality of conductors and a core member; advancing a first of the plurality of conductors through an opening of the first tubular member; positioning a first conductive member around the first tubular member; and electrically coupling the first of the plurality of conductors to the first conductive member. In some embodiments, an intravascular device is provided that includes an insulating member positioned around a plurality of conductors and a core member and a conductive member positioned around the insulating member, wherein at least one of the plurality of conductors extends through an opening in the insulating member and is electrically coupled to the first conductive member.