The present invention relates to a computer-vision based autonomous steerable catheter device and methods of using the same for targeted delivery of a liquid microvolume into the interior of a lung.

A delivery system for an intracorporeal device includes a sheath defining one or more lumens shaped to receive a delivery catheter or shaft and a guidewire. The system may include a delivery shaft having a distal coupling feature adapted to releasably couple with a proximal coupling feature of the intracorporeal device. The delivery system may further include a hub through which the delivery shaft and guidewire are passed. The delivery shaft may be coupled to a feature, such as a knob, that enables manipulation of the delivery shaft to decouple the distal fixation feature from the proximal fixation feature of the intracorporeal device in order to deploy the intracorporeal device within a patient.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an extension catheter having excellent breaking strength and a method of producing the same. The extension catheter includes a tubular portion, a tapered portion disposed proximally relative to the tubular portion, and a linear member fixed to the tubular portion and the tapered portion, the extension catheter satisfying Formula (1): 1.1T.sub.2≤T.sub.1≤6T.sub.2, wherein T.sub.1 represents a thickness (mm) of the tubular portion at a first position located 1 mm to a distal end of the tapered portion, the position being a position where the linear member is present, and T.sub.2 represents a thickness (mm) of the tubular portion at a second position opposite to the first position.

A guidewire system for spine surgeries includes a first guidewire portion having an elongate first guidewire body with a distal end and a proximal end. A threaded male fastener at the distal end of the first guidewire body is configured to fasten to a vertebra of a spine of a subject and a threaded female coupler at the proximal end of the first guidewire body defines a threaded opening. The guidewire system includes a second guidewire portion having an elongate second guidewire body with a distal end and a proximal end. A threaded male coupler at the distal end of the second guidewire body is configured to thread into the threaded female coupler of the first guidewire portion to fasten the second guidewire portion to the first guidewire portion to form an elongate guidewire.

Three groups of guidewire embodiments are described with particularly suitable structures for navigating circuitous vessels, especially blood vessels of the brain. Some of the guidewires have a hyperbolic taper that provides desired flexibility. In some embodiments, an integrated guide structure provides for extension in the blood vessel of a corewire to provide for extended reach of the guidewire. In further embodiments, the guidewire has a flexible tip that can be guided directly by the flow in the vessel.

A catheter assembly may include a catheter hub, which may include a distal end, a proximal end, a lumen extending through the distal end and the proximal end, and a side port disposed between the distal end and the proximal end. The catheter assembly may also include a catheter extending distally from the catheter hub, an extension set coupled to the catheter hub, a catheter hub stabilization device coupled to the catheter hub, a needle hub coupled to the proximal end of the catheter hub, and an introducer needle coupled to the needle hub and extending through the catheter. One or more of the extension set, the catheter hub, or the catheter hub stabilization device may be phosphorescent. An instrument advancement device or a syringe may include one or more phosphorescent features.

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.

In some examples, a catheter flaring device includes a housing and a pin. The housing includes an interior surface defining a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of a catheter having an entry port and engage an exterior surface of the catheter proximate the entry port. The pin is configured to be advanced into the entry port of the catheter to increase a cross-sectional dimension of the entry port. Flaring the entry port may help reduce catching of a medical device on the entry port of the catheter during a medical procedure.

An endoscope of the disclosure includes an insertion section including a distal end portion, a bending portion, and a flexible tube portion. The distal end portion includes: a first opening connected to an instrument channel, a second opening connected to a wire channel, a wire, a first detent surface, and a raising base rotatable about an axis between a lowered position and a raised position. The raising base includes an attachment housing and a distal end of the wire is attached to the raising base at the attachment housing. The wire is movable within the wire channel to rotate the raising base about the axis from the lowered position to the raised position, and in the raised position, a stop surface of the attachment housing contacts the first detent surface to limit an amount of rotation of the raising base.

A method of constructing a detachment system for delivering an implantable medical device to a target location of a body vessel is presented. The method includes forming a compressible portion on a distal tube, engaging an implantable medical device with an engagement system, extending the engagement system through the distal tube such that the implantable medical device is distal of a distal end of the distal tube, applying a force to the engagement system to compress the compressible portion to a compressed state, fixing the engagement system to the distal tube to maintain the compressed state of the compressible portion, and joining a proximal end of the distal tube to a distal end of a proximal tube. The engagement system can include a loop wire that is fixed to the distal tube and engages the medical device.