A guidewire retraction device having a first support structure located opposite a second support structure. The first support structure has a primary bore traversing the length of the first support structure. The first support structure has a first opening bordering a first ramp. The first ramp is connected to the primary bore. A second support structure has a secondary bore traversing the length of the second support structure. The second support structure has a second opening bordering a second ramp. The second ramp is connected to the secondary bore. The first ramp of the first support structure and the second ramp of the second support structure are configured to receive a guidewire. A rotation element is rotated in a first direction to orient the guidewire in a retracted orientation. The rotation element is rotated in a second direction to orient the guidewire in an advanced orientation.

A medical device may comprise a shaft, an articulation wire extending through at least a portion of the shaft, and a handle, including a handle body having an outer surface that defines a channel. A distal portion of the shaft may be received within a first portion of the channel. A distal portion of the articulation wire may be received within a second portion of the channel. A control member may be movable relative to the handle body to move the distal portion of the articulation wire relative to the distal portion of the shaft.

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.

A medical device is provided. The device includes a body that includes an opening through which a wire is configured to extend. The body further includes an edge and a skirt having only three surfaces surrounding the opening and extending further downwardly in a direction away from the opening than the edge.

In one exemplary embodiment, an endovascular device may include a hollow shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and sized for insertion into a blood vessel. The endovascular device may also include a control line having a proximal end and a distal end, and extending through the hollow shaft. The endovascular device may also include an actuatable working element located proximate the distal end of the hollow shaft, and configured to receive an actuation force transmitted via the distal end of the control line. The endovascular device may further include an actuator configured to exert the actuation force on the proximal end of the control line, to thereby cause relative movement between the control line and the hollow shaft and to actuate the working element. The hollow shaft may also include a cable formed of a plurality of wound wires and including a proximal segment, at least one transition segment, and a distal segment. The proximal segment, at least one transition segment, and distal segment may include different numbers of wires.

A tool for inserting a catheter into a body of a patient is provided. The tool comprises: a housing in which at least a portion of the catheter is initially disposed; a needle distally extending from the housing, at least a portion of the catheter disposed over the needle; a guidewire initially disposed within the needle partially; and an advancement assembly for distally advancing the catheter. The housing comprises: a first portion comprising a distal part and a proximal part; and a second portion engaged with the first portion, wherein the distal part of the first portion is configured to be able to distally slide with respect to the second portion to release the engagement between the first portion and the second portion. The advancement assembly includes a safety cap which is initially disposed over the needle and is configured to be locked to the housing when distally sliding to a position of isolating the tip of the needle within the safety cap.

Provided herein is an endovascular procedure system including a first drive unit comprising a first drive assembly having a first rotational actuator and configured to be mechanically coupled to a first endovascular insertion device advance assembly of a first cassette, a second drive unit having a second drive assembly, the second drive assembly having a second rotational actuator and configured to be mechanically coupled to a second endovascular insertion device advance assembly of a second cassette, a third drive unit comprising a third drive assembly having a third rotational actuator and configured to be mechanically coupled to a third endovascular insertion device advance assembly of a third cassette and a track, to which the first drive unit is fixedly coupled, the second and third drive units are moveably mechanically coupled, and the second drive unit is disposed between the first drive unit and the third drive unit along the track.

Apparatus, including a probe having a distal end insertable into a nasal sinus of a human patient, and a location sensor positioned within the distal end. A sinuplasty balloon is positioned on the distal end at a selected opening of the nasal sinus. A processor receives first signals from the location sensor while the distal end is inserted into the nasal sinus and prior to positioning of the balloon at the selected opening, and generates a first map of the sinus. The processor inflates the balloon when it is at the selected opening, so as to enlarge the selected opening, and subsequently deflates the balloon. The processor then receives second signals from the location sensor and generates therefrom a second map of the sinus. The processor registers the first map with the second map and generates from the registered maps a numerical increase in size of the selected opening.

Devices and methods for performing a transseptal puncture procedure using a device which includes either an untapered or tapered blunt end cannula disposed in an introducer carrying a sharp guidewire disposed longitudinally through the lumen of the blunt cannula, and a blunt end dilator wherein the guidewire is flexible and has an atraumatic shape at its tip. The cannula gives the more flexible introducer a defined shape and steerabilty allowing an ordinarily skilled physician to easily access a selected location on the septal wall of the heart for transseptal puncture and introducer placement thereacross without employing an exposed sharp end needle during the procedure.

Systems and methods for positioning a wire for advancement through a vessel wall, and advancing it through one or more vessel walls, generally include a delivery catheter and an alignment catheter or a receiving catheter, and a guidewire. In some variations, the systems and methods may be used to bypass an occlusion or other barrier that may prevent advancement of a wire or tools through an endoluminal space. In these variations, the systems and methods include a delivery catheter, a bypass catheter, a receiving catheter, and a guidewire. The delivery and receiving catheters each generally include a side aperture, a deflection surface, and an alignment element, and the bypass catheter generally includes two side apertures, two deflectors, and two alignment elements. In some variations, the systems and methods may assist in treatment of a patient suffering from critical limb ischemia.