Catheter apparatuses, systems, and methods for achieving renal neuromodulation by intravascular access are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed to a treatment device having a multi-electrode array configured to be delivered to a renal blood vessel. The array is selectively transformable between a delivery or low-profile state (e.g., a generally straight shape) and a deployed state (e.g., a radially expanded, generally spiral/helical shape). The multi-electrode array is sized and shaped so that the electrodes or energy delivery elements contact an interior wall of the renal blood vessel when the array is in the deployed (e.g., spiral/helical) state. The electrodes or energy delivery elements are configured for direct and/or indirect application of thermal and/or electrical energy to heat or otherwise electrically modulate neural fibers that contribute to renal function.

Method of performing one or more procedures within a patient's vasculature using a rigidizing device. The rigidizing device may be inserted through the patient's vasculature in a flexible configuration to a target region, and rigidized to form a stable base from which one or more procedures may be performed. Examples of procedures that may be performed include removing or bypassing an occlusion, placing a stent, mitral valve repair, access and/or treatment of chronic total occlusions, etc.

This disclosure describes microfabricated intravascular devices that are configured for high axial strength while also maintaining effective bending flexibility. A tube member includes a series of circumferentially extending rings connected to one another by a series of axially extending beams. Transverse cuts separate and define the rings. A series of axial cuts are aligned with the beams and extend from the beams partially into the adjoining rings so that the beam length is nested partially within the axial length of the adjoining rings. This increases the functional length of the beams to provide bending flexibility while still sufficient ring structure to provide effective axial stiffness.

A rigidizing device includes an elongate flexible tube having a lumen extending therethrough, a variable stiffness layer, a bladder layer configured to push against the variable stiffness layer when pressure is applied, and a hemostasis valve integrated at a proximal end of the elongate flexible tube in fluid communication with the lumen wherein the rigidizing device is configured to change between a flexible configuration and a rigid configuration in which the bladder layer limits the plurality of strand lengths from moving relative to each other when pressure is applied.

Medical devices and systems for treating a stricture along the biliary and/or pancreatic tract are disclosed. An example medical device may include a guidewire for use along the biliary and/or pancreatic tract. The guidewire may include an elongate core member having a proximal end region and a distal end region. A coil member may be disposed along the distal end region. An actuation member may be coupled to the coil member. The actuation member may be configured to shift the coil member between a first configuration and a compressed configuration. The coil member may be configured to be advanced across a biliary and/or pancreatic stricture when in the compressed configuration. A sleeve may be disposed over the coil member.

Disclosed is a guidewire configured to provide high torsional stiffness without detrimentally increasing bending stiffness. Such a device provides a high ratio of torsional stiffness to bending stiffness. The guidewire device includes a core with a proximal section and a distal section. The distal section of the core is coupled to a microfabricated outer tube such that the distal section of the core passes into and is encompassed by the outer tube.

Systems and methods for providing a blood pump system having a variable stiffness distal extension are disclosed. A variable stiffness distal extension may have at least one section of continuously varying stiffness, resulting in a stiffness profile that decreases in a distal direction along a length of the distal extension. The varying stiffness may be accomplished by varying one or more radial dimensions of the extension. For example, in some implementations, an outer diameter of a distal extension may decrease along at least a portion of a distal extension. The distal extension may include a lumen configured to receive a longitudinally extending element.

This disclosure describes microfabricated intravascular devices that are configured for high axial strength while also maintaining effective bending flexibility. A tube member includes a series of circumferentially extending rings connected to one another by a series of axially extending beams. Transverse cuts separate and define the rings. A series of axial cuts are aligned with the beams and extend from the beams partially into the adjoining rings so that the beam length is nested partially within the axial length of the adjoining rings. This increases the functional length of the beams to provide bending flexibility while still sufficient ring structure to provide effective axial stiffness.

A rigidizing device includes an elongate flexible tube, a braid layer positioned over the elongate flexible tube, an outer layer over the flexible tube and the braid layer, and an inlet between the elongate flexible tube and the outer layer and configured to attach to a source of vacuum or pressure. The braid layer has a plurality of strands braided together at a braid angle of 5-40 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate flexible tube when the elongate flexible tube is straight. The rigidizing device is configured to have a rigid configuration when vacuum or pressure is applied through the inlet and a flexible configuration when vacuum or pressure is not applied through the inlet. The braid angle is configured to change as the rigidizing device bends when the rigidizing device is in the flexible configuration.

A rigidizing device includes an elongate flexible tube having a lumen extending therethrough, a variable stiffness layer, a bladder layer configured to push against the variable stiffness layer when pressure is applied, and a hemostasis valve integrated at a proximal end of the elongate flexible tube in fluid communication with the lumen wherein the rigidizing device is configured to change between a flexible configuration and a rigid configuration in which the bladder layer limits the plurality of strand lengths from moving relative to each other when pressure is applied.