A system for generating a mechanical wave is disclosed. The system comprises a camshaft having plurality of rotatable cams, serially mounted on a shaft along an axis of an elastic tubular shell to form a varying phase angle along the shaft. The system further comprises a plurality of cam followers arranged circumferentially about each cam, such that a rotary motion of the cams generates a linear motion of the cam followers to radially bias in internal wall the shell. The variation of the phase angle is selected to generate a three-dimensional traveling wave along the shell.

Everting balloon systems and methods for using the same with an alignment element for stability and anti-rotation of the everting balloon are disclosed herein. The systems can be configured to access and deliver instruments, media, or other catheters into bodily lumens and cavities. The alignment element eliminates the potential for the everting membrane to become twisted or rotated which could impact access or the ability of the system to deliver materials. A compliance member facilitates internal pressurization of the everting catheter system.

An extension set may include a tube, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, and an outer surface. The extension set may include a distal connector coupled to the distal end of the tube and/or a proximal connector coupled to the proximal end of the tube. The extension set may include a patency instrument disposed within the tube. The extension set may include a translation handle coupled to the outer surface of the tube. The translation handle may be configured to move along the outer surface of the tube between a proximal position and a distal position to translate the distal end of the patency instrument between a retracted position and an advanced position. In response to the distal end of the patency instrument being in the advanced position, the distal end of the patency instrument may extend beyond the distal end of the tube.

A self-propelled device for locomotion through a lumen, comprising a set of serially arranged inflatable chambers, the end ones of which expand at least radially when inflated. Connecting passages provide fluid communication between each pair of adjacent chambers. A fluid source is attached to one of the end chambers. The connecting passages are such that the fluid inflates the chambers in a sequence, beginning with the chamber closest to the source, and ending with the chamber furthest from the source. The same sequence occurs when the chambers deflate, beginning with the chamber closest to the source, and ending with the chamber furthest from the source. The fluid source can either be a fluid supply tube, extending to a supply outside the lumen, or it can be built-in and carried by the device. The device can crawl either along the lumen wall or on an inserted guide wire.

A long catheter can be inserted into a patient while eliminating a need for a sterile field by incorporating the long catheter into an infusion tubing and carrying it in with an infusion. The long catheter has a structure that prevents it from leaving the infusion tubing when fully extended and therefore becomes a connector for fluids to transfer down the long catheter by infusion through the infusion tubing. Use of an adjustable seal connector allows the long catheter to be stopped at varying points during insertion and even to allow the long catheter to be reversed by pulling suction on the infusion tubing and retracting the long catheter back into the infusion tubing. The long catheter also remains within sterile confines of the infusion tubing and therefore is prevented from becoming contaminated.

An example stent delivery system is disclosed. The example stent delivery system includes an inner shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion and at least one lumen extending therein. The inner shaft further includes a stent receiving region disposed along the distal portion. The stent delivery system further includes a stent disposed along the stent receiving region. Additionally, the inner member includes a plurality of apertures disposed along at least a portion of the stent receiving region and the plurality of apertures are configured to permit fluid to flow therethrough and expand the stent.

A tubular structure having variable support includes a tubular member and a structural support member with a flexible tubular member over the structural support member, such that the flexible tubular member can engage and disengage or squeeze and release the structural support member. The structural support member can be a tubular mesh, stent, framework, skeleton, braid or other flexible framework. A fluid passage can be used to inflate and deflate the flexible tubular member. Methods of assembly and methods of use are also described.

An extension set may include a tube, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, and an outer surface. The extension set may include a distal connector coupled to the distal end of the tube and/or a proximal connector coupled to the proximal end of the tube. The extension set may include a patency instrument disposed within the tube. The extension set may include a translation handle coupled to the outer surface of the tube. The translation handle may be configured to move along the outer surface of the tube between a proximal position and a distal position to translate the distal end of the patency instrument between a retracted position and an advanced position. In response to the distal end of the patency instrument being in the advanced position, the distal end of the patency instrument may extend beyond the distal end of the tube.

A balloon guiding sheath may include an elongated sheath comprising a proximal end, a distal end, an inner tube, an outer tube surrounding the inner tube, an access port located adjacent the proximal end, a distal port located adjacent the distal end, and a working lumen extending between the access port and the distal port. The balloon guiding sheath may also include an inflatable balloon located on an outer surface of the elongated sheath adjacent the distal end. The balloon guiding sheath may also include a textured surface located along an outer portion of the outer tube and located beneath the inflatable balloon. The elongated sheath may be sized and configured to enable direct insertion into vasculature of a patient through an arteriotomy in at least one of a carotid artery or a vertebral artery to position the inflatable balloon at a target site.

Techniques described herein relate to a catheter platform for carrying a medical device into inside a body. The catheter platform may include a catheter, which during use, is inserted into a body lumen. The catheter platform may include at least two extensile protrusions extending from opposite walls of the catheter and configured to expand outwardly in opposite directions to be in touch with the walls of the body lumen to aim the medical device and provide stability of the catheter. In an embodiment in which the body lumen is blood vessel, the catheter platform is configured to preserve the cross-section of the lumen such that the effect on the blood flow is minimized. A variety of applications may be enabled by the catheter platform, including therapy, measurement, or other procedures that may require the medical device to be left inside the body for an extended time period.