Torque devices for navigating a guidewire through a body lumen are disclosed. The devices have a variable speed transmission design, including at least a first transmission region along a first position of the device, and a second transmission region along a second position of the device. The first and second transmission regions have different diameters, thereby allowing rotational control of the guidewire between at least two different stroke angles.

A scalpel guide configured to be coupled with a scalpel blade. The scalpel guide engages a guidewire during use to constrain lateral displacement of the scalpel blade with respect to the guidewire. The scalpel guide includes laterally extending walls between which the guidewire is placed during use. The guide may be attached to the scalpel blade or formed integral to the scalpel blade.

A telescopic wire guide is disclosed. The telescopic wire guide comprises an outer wire having a proximal end and a distal end. The outer wire has a lumen formed from the proximal end through the distal end. The telescopic wire guide further comprises a core wire disposed within the lumen and slidably movable therealong relative to the outer wire for distally telescopically extending the wire guide a predetermined length.

An apparatus and method of manufacture includes a helical wire coil and a core wire. The core wire has a first wire portion and a second wire portion. The first wire portion of the core wire extends through the helical wire coil. The second wire portion of the core wire is intertwined with the first helical wire coil to fixedly secure the core wire relative to the first helical wire coil. The core wire is formed from a first material that is non-extensible. The core wire is fixedly secured relative to a distal portion of the helical wire coil such that the core wire inhibits longitudinal elongation of the helical wire coil along a longitudinal coil axis.

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 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 device for dilating an ostium of a paranasal sinus of a human or animal subject may include: a handle; an elongate shaft having a proximal end coupled with the handle and extending to a distal end; a guidewire disposed through at least a portion of the shaft lumen; a dilator having a non-expanded configuration and an expanded configuration; and a slide member coupled with at least one of the guidewire or the dilator through the longitudinal opening of the shaft for advancing the guidewire and/or the dilator relative to the shaft.

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.