The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for accessing a targeted vessel, such as a coronary artery, near the aortic root. A catheter device includes a proximal section, an intermediate section, and a distal section. The intermediate section includes a more proximal section (a proximal-intermediate section) and a more distal section (a distal-intermediate section). The proximal-intermediate section is microfabricated to enable preferred bending along a single plane. The distal-intermediate section is more rigid than the proximal-intermediate section and the distal section. In use, the proximal-intermediate section abuts against the aortic wall and bends to allow the distal-intermediate section to extend across the aortic root toward a targeted vessel on the opposite side of the aorta.

A balloon catheter which allows for faster preparation and more effective purging of air within the catheter, while also providing a more space efficient design, wherein the balloon catheter includes a tubular outer member and a tubular inner member disposed in the lumen of the outer member such that the outer member and inner member define an annular fluid path between them. A balloon is secured to and circumferentially surrounds an outer surface of the distal portion of the outer member. A tubular seal is disposed circumferentially around the inner surface of the distal portion of the outer member. The inner member is movable longitudinally relative to the outer member from a non-sealing position in which the annular fluid path is open, and a sealing position in which the distal portion of the inner member contacts the seal thereby sealing the annular fluid path at the seal.

A balloon catheter which allows for faster preparation and more effective purging of air within the catheter, while also providing a more space efficient design, wherein the balloon catheter includes a tubular outer member and a tubular inner member disposed in the lumen of the outer member such that the outer member and inner member define an annular fluid path between them. A balloon is secured to and circumferentially surrounds an outer surface of the distal portion of the outer member. A tubular seal is disposed circumferentially around the outer surface of the distal portion of the inner member. The inner member is movable longitudinally relative to the outer member from a non-sealing position in which the annular fluid path is open, and a sealing position in which the distal portion of the outer member contacts the seal thereby sealing the annular fluid path at the seal.

The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for accessing a targeted vessel, such as a coronary artery, near the aortic root. A catheter device includes a proximal section, an intermediate section, and a distal section. The intermediate section includes a more proximal section (a proximal-intermediate section) and a more distal section (a distal-intermediate section). The proximal-intermediate section is microfabricated to enable preferred bending along a single plane. The distal-intermediate section is more rigid than the proximal-intermediate section and the distal section. In use, the proximal-intermediate section abuts against the aortic wall and bends to allow the distal-intermediate section to extend across the aortic root toward a targeted vessel on the opposite side of the aorta.

The catheter of the present invention includes a tubular member having a reinforced portion and an unreinforced portion having a tapered portion; and a handle connected to a proximal end portion of the tubular member; wherein the handle has a first lumen and a second lumen positioned proximally beyond the first lumen, the unreinforced portion is fixed to the first lumen with a proximal end of the unreinforced portion positioned at the proximal end of the first lumen, and the catheter satisfies formulae (1) to (3):

a<b  (1)

a<c  (2)

b≥c  (3), where a is an inner diameter at a position apart by 1 mm distally from a proximal end of the reinforced portion, b is an inner diameter at the proximal end of the unreinforced portion, and c is an inner diameter at the distal end of the second lumen of the handle.

This disclosure describes microfabricated intravascular devices that are configured for high axial strength while also maintaining effective bending flexibility. A tube member includes a series of circumferentially extending rings connected to one another by a series of axially extending beams. Transverse cuts separate and define the rings. A series of axial cuts are aligned with the beams and extend from the beams partially into the adjoining rings so that the beam length is nested partially within the axial length of the adjoining rings. This increases the functional length of the beams to provide bending flexibility while still sufficient ring structure to provide effective axial stiffness.

An introducer includes a dilator received in a lumen defined by an introducer sheath and including a dilation end extending distally beyond a distal end of the introducer sheath. The introducer sheath includes a flat wire reinforcement having a hollow cylindrical shape sandwiched between an inner PTFE tube and an outer nylon tube. The outer nylon tube includes a distal segment that extends distally beyond the PTFE tube, which extends distally beyond the PTFE tube, which extends distally beyond the flat wire reinforcement. A withdrawal support wire has a distal end attached to a distal end turn of the flat wire reinforcement and extends in a proximal direction in parallel with a longitudinal axis between an outer surface of the nylon tube and an inner surface of the PTFE tube. The withdrawal support wire is configured to be in tension when the sheath is placed in tension to inhibit distal stretch separation breakage.

In some examples, a catheter includes a structural support member including bamboo. For example, a catheter may include a bamboo coil and/or a bamboo braided member positioned between an inner liner and an outer jacket. The structural support member comprising bamboo may be configured to be biodegradable.

Medical devices for use along the biliary and/or pancreatic tract. An example system for treating a stricture, for example along the biliary and/or pancreatic tract, may include a guidewire for antegrade stricture crossing along the biliary and/or pancreatic tract. The guidewire may have a distal end region and a proximal end region. A hub may be coupled to the proximal end region. A tubular sheath may be slidably disposed along the guidewire. The tubular sheath may have a plurality of slots formed therein. The hub may be configured to secure the axial position of the tubular sheath relative to the guidewire.

A neuromodulation catheter includes an elongate shaft and a neuromodulation element. The shaft includes two or more first cut shapes and two or more second cut shapes along a helical path extending around a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The first cut shapes are configured to at least partially resist deformation in response to longitudinal compression and tension on the shaft and torsion on the shaft in a first circumferential direction. The second cut shapes are configured to at least partially resist deformation in response to longitudinal compression on the shaft and torsion on the shaft in both first and second opposite circumferential directions.