A medical manipulator includes: an insertion portion, an end effector, a bend restraining unit, a position detector, an operation unit, a first drive unit, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to generate the first drive signal based on an output and the position of the bend restraining unit which is detected by the position detector. The output is output from the operation unit that operates the bending portion.

An apparatus includes a hemostasis valve; a base having a clamp releasably coupling a catheter to the base; a base drive member moving the base relative to the hemostasis valve along a first path; and a mechanism maintaining the position of an elongated medical device relative to the hemostasis valve while the catheter is being moved along the first path.

A deployable tube apparatus may include a spool and a flexible sheet coiled about the spool in a laterally unfurled condition. The flexible sheet may have a first lateral margin and a second lateral margin, and may be deployable from the laterally unfurled condition with the first and the second lateral margins spaced from each other to a deployed tubular condition where the first and the second lateral margins are coupled to each other to form an enclosed lumen. The deployable tube apparatus may provide lateral support to an elongated flexible instrument, such as a catheter. Methods of creating and using the deployable tube apparatus are described.

Systems and method for controlling the bending of a robotic catheter. A control backbone of the robotic catheter is coupled to a linear movement stage by a spring and linear movement of the control backbone causes a controllable bending of the robotic catheter. A sensor monitors a deflection of the spring and the bending of the catheter is controlled based on the spring deflection signal from the sensor. The spring allows passive bending of the robotic catheter without movement of the active linear movement stage and, conversely, allows external forces applied to the robotic catheter to limit a bending movement of the robotic catheter caused by—movement of the active linear movement stage. In some implementations, the robotic catheter includes a selectively deployable tip mechanism for deploying a steerable tip or for selectively exposing side windows on the catheter for increasing traction for clot removal.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of methods of using stabilizers for use in delivering a replacement heart valve. The stabilizers can receive a portion of a delivery system, such as a handle, to prevent unwanted motion of the delivery system. The stabilizer can include a linear actuator for adjusting a position of the delivery system once held within the stabilizer.

A guide catheter extension, having a push member having a proximal end and a distal end; a tube frame coupled to the distal end of the push member, the tube frame defining a lumen having a diameter sufficient to receive an interventional vascular device therethrough; and an inflatable element coupled to the tube frame, wherein the inflatable element is expandable into the lumen.

A rigidizing device includes a plurality of layers and an inlet between the elongate flexible tube and the outer layer and configured to attach to a source of vacuum or pressure. The rigidizing device is configured to have a rigid configuration when vacuum or pressure is applied through the inlet and a flexible configuration when vacuum or pressure is not applied through the inlet.

System and method for advancing and retracting a tubular medical instrument within a body lumen and evacuating lumen material therefrom. A shaft of the medical instrument is inserted through a central bore of a probe, an evacuation adaptor, and a swivel fastener unit, respectively mounted onto a distal carriage, a central carriage, and a proximal carriage of a translation mechanism. The probe is directed toward cavity entrance of body lumen using an adjustment mechanism coupled to a translation mechanism beam. A central probe unit of probe is maintained sealingly coupled to cavity entrance by propelling distal carriage along beam. The evacuation adapter is maintained sealingly coupled to the probe by propelling central carriage along beam, concurrent with displacement of a hollow tube of probe relative to central probe unit. Lumen material is evacuated using evacuation adaptor. The medical instrument is advanced and retracted by propelling proximal carriage along beam.

A support catheter includes: a distal shaft shaped as a tube into which a therapeutic catheter is insertable, the distal shaft including an inner layer and a reinforcing layer, the reinforcing layer being shaped as a tubular mesh including metal wires wound in first and second opposite directions; and a proximal shaft connected to the distal shaft. The reinforcing layer includes welds at intersections of the metal wires wound in the first and second directions. The welds are located in a limited region in a circumferential direction of the distal shaft. A covering member is located outside the welds.

Disclosed are devices and methods for automated emergency arterial cannulation. The device comprises a hand-held automated emergency arterial sheath placement device having a body with a handle and an actuator, and an arterial sheath placement head at the distal end of the handle body configured for placement against the patient's skin. The arterial sheath placement head includes an arterial sheath insertion device configured to advance an arterial needle, guide wire, and arterial sheath into a patient's artery upon sequential operation of the actuator. The arterial sheath placement head also includes a non-invasive artery locator configured to locate an artery into which the arterial sheath is intended to be placed. The arterial sheath placement head also preferably includes a Doppler gel and antiseptic needle, a local anesthetic needle, and a scalpel, all of which are likewise configured to advance from the upper body portion upon sequential operation of the actuator.