A guide wire includes: a first core shaft made of a superelastic material, and a second core shaft made of a material more plastically deformable than the first core shaft and is joined to a distal end portion of the first core shaft. On the distal end portion to which the second core shaft is joined in the first core shaft, breaking elongation attributed to a tensile load is shorter compared to portions on a proximal end side with respect to the distal end portion.

Disclosed herein is a catheter, which in some embodiments includes a distal section configured to enter a skin insertion site. The distal section can include a tapered junction having one or more dilation structures configured to dilate the skin insertion site. The distal section can further include a distal portion extending from a distal end of the tapered junction, the distal portion having a diameter smaller than a proximal portion of the catheter. In combination, the tapered junction, the one or more dilation structures, and the specific actions of the user urging the catheter into the insertion site can result in an improved fit of the catheter in the insertion site.

A delivery catheter system includes a guide catheter, an anchor catheter, a collapsible and expandable anchor, a balloon formed from a portion of the positioning catheter, and a needle. The anchor may be for anchoring a prosthetic heart valve in a native heart valve. The anchor may be configured to be received within the anchor catheter. The balloon may be inflated or deflated and provide mechanical support to enable the needle to pierce a ventricle wall. A metallic guide wire can simultaneously be inserted through the aorta to outline the heart when viewed through fluoroscopic imaging.

Systems and methods which provide a slip ring anchor configuration in which an anchor body includes inelastic members and a fluted elastomeric casing operable in cooperation to impart a radial compressive force to a corresponding lead body are described. A slip ring anchor body may comprise a plurality of inelastic members alternately disposed in flutes of a fluted elastomeric casing portion of the anchor body. The fluted elastomeric casing may form an anchor lumen through which a lead body may be inserted. Once a slip ring anchor is disposed at a desired position axially along the lead body, manipulation of one or more slip rings may be used to cause a radial compressive force to be imparted upon the lead body. A slip ring actuator tool may be used to manipulate a slip ring between unlocked and locked positions.

Disclosed herein are optical-fiber stylet holders and methods thereof for holding optical-fiber stylets in position in catheters or the like while preventing breakage of optical fibers in the optical-fiber stylets and maintaining functionality of the optical-fiber stylets. The holding of optical-fiber stylets in position in catheters or the like can be important for maintaining distal tips of intravascularly delivered optical-fiber stylets in their target anatomical locations during procedures.

A captivation catheter for use with a guide catheter and a guidewire or a treatment catheter. The captivation catheter includes a relatively rigid elongate member and a captivation mechanism such as an inflatable balloon capable of fixing the guidewire or the treatment catheter in place against an inner surface of the guide catheter. The captivation catheter can include a clip with an open end and a closed end that is placed on the captivation catheter at markings present for compatibility with a particular working length of the guide catheter. The markings can be visible at different viewing orientations.

A medical method for a lumen of a body includes, introducing a first endoscope and a first overtube up to a strictured area inside the lumen, the first overtube having a first channel having an inner diameter such that the first endoscope can be introduced into the lumen, introducing a second overtube into the lumen by using the first overtube as a guide, the second overtube having a second channel having an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the first overtube such that a second endoscope can be introduced into the lumen, the second endoscope having an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the first endoscope, removing the first endoscope and the first overtube from an interior of the second channel, inserting the second endoscope into the lumen by using the second channel as a guide, and dilating the strictured area by using the second endoscope.

Some embodiments of a medical anchor device include an elongate body coupled with deployable subcutaneous anchors to secure a catheter instrument (or other medical instrument) in place relative to a skin penetration point. In some circumstances, the elongate body may be in the form of catheter hub body, and the subcutaneous anchors can be deployed from the hub body by adjustment of a movable actuator. A locking member can interact with the actuator so as to retain the actuator in the deployed orientation during the medical procedure.

A medical clip for holding a medical device. The medical clip includes a first jaw and a second jaw rotatably coupled to the first jaw, the first jaw and the second jaw being rotatable with respect to each other between a closed position and an open position; an elastomeric insert configured to be positioned between the first jaw and the second jaw. The elastomeric insert defining a proximal cavity having a cavity depth that is receives a medical device between the first jaw and the second jaw. In the closed position, a distal face of the first jaw and the second jaw define a distal opening configured to receive a portion of the medical device through the distal opening; and, a proximal face of the first jaw and the second jaw define a proximal opening configured to receive a second portion of the medical device through the proximal opening.

A method and device for placing and/or retaining medical devices on an animal or subject is provided that may include an anchoring device having a body with a channel or aperture through which a medical device may pass and be reversibly retained at given degrees of insertion, a retaining mechanism for controlling the release or retention of the medical device in the channel or aperture, and an attachment feature for attaching the anchoring device to an animal or subject (e.g. onto the skin of a human). The anchoring device may be attached to a subject, such as over the site of an incision or other point of access to the interior of the subject, and a medical device may be inserted into the interior via the channel or aperture in the body of the anchoring device and retained by action of the retention mechanism.