A method may include accessing an artery in communication with an ophthalmic artery of a subject, and advancing a microcatheter along the accessed artery so as to align a distal end of the microcatheter with an ostium of the ophthalmic artery, wherein the microcatheter includes a lumen having a guidewire positioned therein. In addition, the method includes proximally withdrawing the guidewire relative to the microcatheter so as to enable a distal portion of the microcatheter to assume a curved relaxed configuration, and cannulating the ostium with the distal portion of the microcatheter when the distal portion is in the curved relaxed configuration.

A method may include accessing an artery in communication with an ophthalmic artery of a subject, and advancing a microcatheter along the accessed artery so as to align a distal end of the microcatheter with an ostium of the ophthalmic artery, wherein the microcatheter includes a lumen having a guidewire positioned therein. In addition, the method includes proximally withdrawing the guidewire relative to the microcatheter so as to enable a distal portion of the microcatheter to assume a curved relaxed configuration, and cannulating the ostium with the distal portion of the microcatheter when the distal portion is in the curved relaxed configuration.

A method may include accessing an artery in communication with an ophthalmic artery of a subject, and advancing a microcatheter along the accessed artery so as to align a distal end of the microcatheter with an ostium of the ophthalmic artery, wherein the microcatheter includes a lumen having a guidewire positioned therein. In addition, the method includes proximally withdrawing the guidewire relative to the microcatheter so as to enable a distal portion of the microcatheter to assume a curved relaxed configuration, and cannulating the ostium with the distal portion of the microcatheter when the distal portion is in the curved relaxed configuration.

Fluid control devices, systems, and methods are useful for articulating catheters and other elongate flexible structures. A modular manifold architecture includes plate-mounted valves to facilitate fluid communication along a plurality of fluid channels included in one or more multi-lumen shafts for articulating actuators comprising balloons within a balloon array, with the balloons often mounted on two or more extruded multi-lumen shafts. Valve/plate modules can be assembled in an array, and a proximal interface of the shaft(s) may have ports for accessing the balloon channels distributed along an axis of the interface. By aligning and engaging the proximal interface with a receptacle that traverses the plates of the manifold assembly, the ports can be quickly and easily sealed to associated channels of the various valve/plate modules using a quick-disconnect fitting.

Articulation devices, systems, methods for articulation, and methods for fabricating articulation structures will often include simple balloon arrays, with inflation of the balloons interacting with elongate skeletal support structures so as to locally alter articulation of the skeleton. The skeleton may include a simple helical coil. Liquid inflation fluid may be directed to the balloons from an inflation fluid canister, and may vaporize within the articulation system, with the inflation system preferably including valves controlled by a processor. The articulation structures can be employed in minimally invasive medical catheter systems.

In one aspect, a medical balloon assembly includes a tip sleeve secured to the distal end portion of a balloon catheter that includes the distal neck of a balloon. The tip sleeve has at least an inner layer and an outer layer. The inner layer is formed from a bondable material that is directly bondable to the exterior of the distal neck portion of the balloon. The tip sleeve is bonded directly to the distal neck of the balloon. The outer layer is formed from a lubricious polymer. Such a medical balloon assembly is made by receiving the distal neck inside the proximal end portion of the tip sleeve and directly bonding the distal neck of the balloon to the inner layer of the tip sleeve.

Articulation devices and methods include balloon arrays interacting with elongate skeletal support structures so as to locally alter articulation of the skeleton. The skeleton may include a helical coil, and the array can be under control of a processor. Inflation fluid may be directed to the balloons from an inflation system including valves controlled by the processor. The articulation structures can be employed in minimally invasive medical catheter systems.

Infusion balloon catheter with fortified proximal infusion outlet port, and manufacturing thereof. Infusion balloon catheter includes: inflatable balloon member; shaft having distal end attached to balloon member, and shaft wall enclosing: first lumen providing passage to balloon inflation fluid, and second lumen providing passage to infusion fluid and guidewire; and bending-resistant insert member housed in second lumen and located proximally to balloon member, insert member is affixed to, and conforms to shape of, shaft inner wall surface, and includes one or more opening(s). Shaft wall has infusion outlet port located along, and providing opening to, second lumen proximally to balloon member. Insert opening(s) is/are in direct fluid communication with infusion outlet port whose cross-sectional area is larger than that of infusion inlet opening. Bending-resistant insert member provides fortifying structural support to shaft wall portion surrounding infusion outlet port. Applicable to medical procedures involving injection of imaging contrast material or/and drugs.

A method may include accessing an artery in communication with an ophthalmic artery of a subject, and advancing a microcatheter along the accessed artery so as to align a distal end of the microcatheter with an ostium of the ophthalmic artery, wherein the microcatheter includes a lumen having a guidewire positioned therein. In addition, the method includes proximally withdrawing the guidewire relative to the microcatheter so as to enable a distal portion of the microcatheter to assume a curved relaxed configuration, and cannulating the ostium with the distal portion of the microcatheter when the distal portion is in the curved relaxed configuration.

A method may include accessing an artery in communication with an ophthalmic artery of a subject, and advancing a microcatheter along the accessed artery so as to align a distal end of the microcatheter with an ostium of the ophthalmic artery, wherein the microcatheter includes a lumen having a guidewire positioned therein. In addition, the method includes proximally withdrawing the guidewire relative to the microcatheter so as to enable a distal portion of the microcatheter to assume a curved relaxed configuration, and cannulating the ostium with the distal portion of the microcatheter when the distal portion is in the curved relaxed configuration.