Torque devices for use with intravascular devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a torque device for use with an intravascular device includes a first component having a body defining a tapered opening for receiving a proximal portion of the intravascular device, a first arm extending from the body, and a second arm extending from the body; and a second component movably coupled to the first component, wherein the second component is movable relative to the first component between an open position where the torque device is configured to slidably receive the proximal portion of the flexible elongate member between the first and second arms of the first component and a closed position where the torque device fixedly engages the proximal portion of the flexible elongate member between first and second arms of the first component.

The invention relates to a gripper apparatus for a cannulation robot and for gripping a cannula having a cannula holder. The gripper apparatus comprises two gripper elements and a moving device. The two gripper elements can be moved relative to each other and work in concert to grip the cannula holder. The moving device is designed to move the two gripper elements relative to each other and at least one of the gripper elements relative to the cannula holder. The gripper apparatus can thereby be brought into a gripping state, in which at least one of the gripper elements is engaged with the cannula holder, by means of the moving device.

A catheter with a distal end that rotates through the conversion of linear motion to rotational motion, thus the distal end may be rotated without longitudinally advancing or retracting the distal end. The catheter includes a tube with a single helix or a dual chirality helix cut into the tube, a distal end segment, means for linear displacement of the helix, and means for coupling the junction point of the helix to the distal segment.

A sterile closed intermittent urinary catheter system which is an easier to use by virtue of ergonomic shaping to facilitate advancement and retrieval of the catheter from the collection bag. The bag may have a closed internal hole adjacent an indent in one edge that creates a narrow channel through which the catheter passes. The narrow channel is located near to and in alignment with an outlet assembly so that the catheter extends from the narrow channel directly to the outlet. A user may easily grasp the catheter from outside the bag at the narrow channel and urge the catheter forward or backward to alternately extend and retract it through the outlet. A flexible pusher sleeve with gripper features may be added around the narrow channel to further facilitate catheter advancement.

The present invention provides a guidewire adjuster and a delivery-system control handle provided with the guidewire adjuster. The guidewire adjuster includes a support mechanism which has a lumen for a guidewire to extend therethrough; and a driving mechanism for driving the guidewire to move back and forth in the lumen. The guidewire adjuster is able to drive the guidewire to move with respect to a sheath of the delivery system. The support mechanism is connected to the control handle of the delivery system and forms a lumen for accommodating the guidewire. A proximal end of the sheath together with the stent can be driven to move upwardly, due to the relative movement between the guidewire and the sheath of the delivery system. Therefore, the position of the stent can be adjusted by advancing the guidewire forward when the stent has been deployed at a lower position than expected.

A sterile closed intermittent urinary catheter system which is an easier to use by virtue of ergonomic shaping to facilitate advancement and retrieval of the catheter from the collection bag. The bag may have a closed internal hole adjacent an indent in one edge that creates a narrow channel through which the catheter passes. The narrow channel is located near to and in alignment with an outlet assembly so that the catheter extends from the narrow channel directly to the outlet. A user may easily grasp the catheter from outside the bag at the narrow channel and urge the catheter forward or backward to alternately extend and retract it through the outlet. A flexible pusher sleeve with gripper features may be added around the narrow channel to further facilitate catheter advancement.

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 delivery system for placing a gastrointestinal device in a mammalian gastrointestinal tract comprises a container assembly; a gastrointestinal implant device that includes proximal and distal ends stored within the container assembly, the proximal end including an anchor and the distal end including a sleeve, coupled to the anchor and folded into the container assembly; and an inner extension to draw a portion of the sleeve from the anchor and from the container assembly as the anchor is retained therein. The inner extension comprises an atraumatic tip, such as a ball, that includes a guidewire rail. Further, a handle is provided that retains or captures an inner catheter within the handle. Within the handle is an elongated element that surrounds a portion of the catheter. A button on a side of the handle is configured to cause engagement of the catheter via the element when the button is depressed.

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 medical device system may include a sheath, a pusher wire, and a locking element. The pusher wire may be slidably disposed within a lumen of the sheath. The locking element may have a proximal end, a distal end, an intermediate region disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The locking element may have a first inner diameter adjacent to the distal end and a second inner diameter adjacent to the proximal end, the second inner diameter smaller than the first outer diameter. The distal end region of the locking element may be configured to freely slide over the sheath and when a proximal end region of the locking element is disposed over the sheath, the locking element may be configured to depress the sheath radially inwards.