Disclosed herein is a catheter, which in some embodiments includes a distal section configured to enter a skin insertion site. The distal section can include a tapered junction having one or more dilation structures configured to dilate the skin insertion site. The distal section can further include a distal portion extending from a distal end of the tapered junction, the distal portion having a diameter smaller than a proximal portion of the catheter. In combination, the tapered junction, the one or more dilation structures, and the specific actions of the user urging the catheter into the insertion site can result in an improved fit of the catheter in the insertion site.

A dilator includes a shaft with a tapered portion having an outer diameter that is smaller at a distal end than at a proximal end; a proximal end portion provided at a proximal end side of the tapered portion; and optionally a distal end portion provided at a distal end side of the tapered portion. Pitches of adjacent portions of the spirally-arranged protruding portion provided on the tapered portion are different (either smaller or larger) than those of adjacent portions of the spirally-arranged protruding portion provided on distal end side of the proximal end portion and/or on the distal end portion.

Catheter exchange systems and methods may use a cutting tool to sever an encrusted catheter. The cutting tool may include a flexible cannula to encompass and move along the encrusted catheter. A sheath may selectively cover the cutting tool. The cutting tool may selectively transition between a first position in which the cutter is within the sheath and a second position in which the cutting tool is extended beyond the sheath to sever a suture of the catheter. A locking stylet may be used to secure the position of the encrusted catheter and remove the encrusted catheter.

The present disclosure relates to an intracranial guide for use in a medical procedure, such as to evacuate a subdural hematoma or to relieve an intracerebral hemorrhage. The intracranial guide generally includes a guide cannula to be received within a portion of a cranial port. The cranial port is configured to be anchored in a burr hole to be formed in the patient's cranium. The guide cannula includes at least one channel that may be used to guide a catheter to a targeted portion of the patient's anatomy or to apply a suction force within the patient's cranium.

Access devices including access ports and retractors, which enhance the working area and access to a surgical site. The access port includes a tubular body with at least one sidewall defining an interior path along the length of the tubular body. The sidewall includes a rigid portion and a flexible portion. The flexible portion is able to stretch or deform, for example, to accommodate an angled trajectory of a surgical implement. A surgical access device for retracting tissue includes a plurality of retractor blades. The outer surface of the retractor blades form a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration with a plurality of spiral ridges projecting therefrom such that advancement of the retractor into the surgical site may be improved.

Embodiments described herein include devices, systems, and methods for reducing the distance between two locations in tissue. In one embodiment, an anchor may reside within the right ventricle in engagement with the septum. A tension member may extend from that anchor through the septum and an exterior wall of the left ventricle to a second anchor disposed along a surface of the heart. Perforating the exterior wall and the septum from an epicardial approach can provide control over the reshaping of the ventricular chamber. Guiding deployment of the implant from along the epicardial access path and another access path into and through the right ventricle provides control over the movement of the anchor within the ventricle. The joined epicardial pathway and right atrial pathway allows the tension member to be advanced into the heart through the right atrium and pulled into engagement along the epicardial access path.

A surgical access device assembly. The assembly includes a cannula having a working channel and a helical tissue engagement feature disposed along an outer surface of the cannula and configured to stabilize the cannula relative to a body cavity wall of a patient. The assembly also includes a depth limiter movably coupled with the cannula. The depth limiter includes a body portion extending about a central axis of the depth limiter and including a protrusion extending radially inwardly relative to the central axis. The body portion is movable angularly relative to the cannula between a fine adjustment configuration and a coarse adjustment configuration. In the fine adjustment configuration the protrusion is configured to selectively threadably engage the helical tissue engagement feature. In the coarse adjustment configuration the protrusion is configured to selectively threadably disengage the helical tissue engagement feature such that the depth limiter is translatable axially along the cannula.

Various devices, apparatuses, and methods for transseptal puncture and crossing are disclosed herein. A transseptal puncture and crossing device can include novel puncture member having a crossing coil mated to a body portion to be able to both cross a tissue and allow a wire or guard be inserted through the puncture member. Though not required, the puncture member can have one or more of novel features, including a tapered coil portion, a transition cutter, a gripper coil portion, an atraumatic guard, and a shaped cutting wire. Methods for transseptal punctures and crossing include adding rotation, oscillation and/or ultrasound to a transseptal puncture device.

A cannula includes a funnel portion and a tubular portion extending distally from the funnel portion. The tubular portion defines a longitudinal axis. An inner lumen extending through the tubular portion permits a medical instrument to be advanced or retracted through the tubular portion. A first visual indicator on the tubular portion is indicative of a first defined remote center of motion about which the tubular portion is pivotable by a robotic system, and a second visual indicator on the tubular portion and spaced apart axially from the first visual indicator is indicative of a second defined remote center of motion about which the tubular portion is pivotable by a robotic system.

Provided is a dilator capable of increasing the diameter of a hole formed on the wall of a digestive tract and the like while ensuring distal-end flexibility and maintaining pushability and torquability even when a shaft is longer and curved. A dilator includes a hollow shaft having an outer diameter that is smaller at a distal end than at a proximal end, and a grip portion connected to the proximal end of the shaft. A spirally-arranged protruding portion protruding outwardly is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the shaft. The spirally-arranged protruding portion has gaps between adjacent portions along a longitudinal axis of the shaft.