An elongated member and a method of manufacturing an elongated member may include first, second, and third elongated rod mandrels. The first, second, and third elongated rod mandrels may be fixed together at predetermined proximal and distal locations and at a ball tip. The first, second, and third rod mandrels may be disposed within a tubular coupling element and fixed to the tubular coupling element at the ball tip. The tubular coupling element may be placed into abutment with and fixed to the distal end of an elongated shaft.

A device for introduction into a body vessel includes a main elongated element, a balloon positioned at the main elongated element distal end, a distal connecting element positioned at the distal end of the balloon to receive a guidewire during use, and a longitudinally movable sheath positioned external to the main elongated element, a position of the sheath distal end with respect to the balloon defining an exposed portion of the balloon that expands when fluid is delivered to the balloon through the inflation lumen.

A device for introduction into a body vessel includes a main elongated element, a balloon positioned at the main elongated element distal end, a distal connecting element positioned at the distal end of the balloon to receive a guidewire during use, and a longitudinally movable sheath positioned external to the main elongated element, a position of the sheath distal end with respect to the balloon defining an exposed portion of the balloon that expands when fluid is delivered to the balloon through the inflation lumen.

The invention provides methods and systems for introducing a catheter into a blood vessel. A catheter set comprising a pre-loaded stylet in a catheter is connectable to a guidewire. The guidewire may be introduced into the patient through a hollow needle. The stylet can then be connected to the guidewire, and the catheter advanced over the stylet and the guidewire into the access site and into position in the blood vessel of the patient. The invention reduces the time and placement steps required to position a catheter in a vessel and lowers the associated procedural costs. The invention reduces the frequency and severity of complications generally associated with introducing a catheter, thereby improving patient outcomes and lowering healthcare costs.

The embodiments presented herein relate to concepts designed to eliminate the gap between a catheter and guide wire that can otherwise contribute to a catheter getting stuck within the vasculature. In an example embodiment, a microcatheter with an enlarged distal section is described. The enlarged portion of the microcatheter may be located close to the inner diameter of the guide catheter in order to reduce any open space between the microcatheter and the guide catheter, and the guidewire can be placed through the microcatheter and used to guide the system. The microcatheter can include one or more marker bands to aid in aligning the microcatheter correctly relative to the guide catheter. After the guide catheter and microcatheter are tracked to the appropriate treatment site, the microcatheter can then be used to deploy various medical devices to treat a patient.

A guidewire including a thin elongated structure and an outer shell around at least a portion of the thin elongated structure. The outer shell includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion of the outer shell are each coupled to the thin elongated structure. The first portion is spaced from the second portion by a gap. The guidewire is configured to move between a flexible state and a rigid state. The gap has a first distance when the guidewire is in the flexible state and the gap has a second distance greater than the first distance when the guidewire is in the rigid state.

A torque coil 10 includes an inner wire layer 14 helically wound in a constricted state. An outer wire layer 18 is helically wound over the inner wire layer in a constricted state. An outer polymer cover 20 surrounds the inner and outer layers thereby securing the inner and outer layers within the outer polymer cover.

A method and apparatus for assessing bodily cavities and lumens utilizing an integrated, automated aerating device is described. The aeration device can selectively supply a gas a liquid during ultrasound and radiographic procedures for enhanced visualization of the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes.

The embodiments presented herein relate to concepts designed to eliminate the gap between a catheter and guide wire that can otherwise contribute to a catheter getting stuck within the vasculature.

Preformed guiding stylet for introducing a septal lead in contact with the septum or other intra-corporal device in contact with body tissue. This stylet includes a flexible wire to be introduced by its distal end in a central lumen of the lead, and a control handle. The wire is elastically deformable in bending and has sufficient rigidity in torsion to enable transmission by the handle rotation of a rotational movement over the entire length of the wire. Unstressed, the wire comprises successively in its distal part a first curvilinear portion a first straight portion a second curvilinear portion and optionally a second straight portion. The first and second curvilinear portions extend in respective planes making an angle between them defining a dihedral which axis comprises the first straight portion. The total length of the first curvilinear portion coincides with the anatomical curvature of the venous system.