A catheter may include an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and defining a lumen; a push member mechanically coupled to the proximal end of the elongate body; and a slidable push grip disposed about an outer perimeter of the push member. The slidable push grip is controllably engageable with the push member. When the slidable push grip is in an engaged state with the push member, the slidable push grip transmits an axial force to the push member to enable the push member to transmit the axial force to the elongate body. When the slidable push grip is in a disengaged state with the push member, the slidable push grip is movable axially in at least one direction along a length of the push member while transmitting substantially no axial force to the push member.

Steerable, elongated medical devices that are inserted into a patient's body are disclosed. The devices include first and second wires slidably extending longitudinally through a wall of a tube and attached adjacent a distal end of the tube. The devices also include a tension control member configured to selectively apply a tension force to the wires to bend the tube.

The medical device may comprise an elongate body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and defining a lumen therethrough. Also, the medical device may include an expandable element coupled to the distal portion of the elongate body and in fluid communication with the lumen. The expandable element may define a first end and a second end, the second end being proximal to the first end. The medical device may further include a cannula surrounding at least a portion of the elongate body and the cannula may define a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the cannula may be disposed proximal and adjacent to the second end of the expandable element. An outer dimctcr diameter of the cannula may be substantially equal to or lesser than an outer diameter of the expandable element when inflated. The medical device may be maneuvered through a patient's body.

Steerable catheters are provided, some of which include an axial member incorporated in an elongate shaft member, where, in some instances, different edge portions of the axial member exhibit different radii of curvature. In some instances, a furthest-apart pair of points on an external boundary of a cross-section of the axial member is closer to an interior edge than an exterior edge of a tubular member of the elongate shaft member.

A deflection system for deflecting a body lumen that includes a deflection mechanism, wherein the deflection mechanism includes: a beam having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the beam includes a neutral position and a deflected position, a pull wire coupled to the distal end of the beam, wherein the beam is configured to be placed in the deflected position when a tension force is applied to the pull wire, and wherein at least a portion of the pull wire is configured to move to a displacement distance away from the beam when the tension force is applied to the pull wire, and one or more constraint members operatively coupled to the beam, wherein each one of the one or more constraint members is configured to limit the displacement distance of the pull wire from the beam when the tension force is applied to the pull wire.

A steerable catheter control handle and method are provided for bi-directional control of a steerable catheter, the catheter including at least two control wires, a distal end of each of the control wires being coupled to the catheter at a distal region thereof. The control system comprises a housing. A wire actuation mechanism is disposed within the housing and is operably coupled to at least two control wires for enabling actuation of the at least two control wires. The steerable catheter control handle additionally comprises a proximal control knob that is operably coupled to the wire actuation mechanism to enable actuation of the at least two control wires for causing a distal end deflection of the steerable catheter.

An introducer sheath assembly having a handle portion including a distal end and a proximal end, and an introducer sheath extending outwardly from the distal end of the handle portion, the introducer sheath including a device lumen configured to slidably receive a corresponding device, a guidewire lumen configured to slidably receive a corresponding guidewire, and at least one steering cable disposed within at least one steering cable lumens that are disposed radially outwardly from the device lumen, and the handle portion including at least one steering assembly for modifying the tension of at least one of the at least one steering cables.

Disclosed is a device for facilitating placement of a central line in a patient, said device comprising: a housing having proximal and distal ends and a central portion therebetween, said housing having an upper portion and a lower portion; a handgrip provided on the proximal end of the housing, said handgrip having at least one of a channel and a through hole extending from the proximal end to the central portion, wherein the channel or through hole is sized to receive a guidewire; a feeder tip receiver provided on a proximal end of the handgrip in communication with the channel or through hole in said handgrip; a stabilizer provided on the lower portion of said housing; a luer slip tip provided on the distal end of the housing, said luer slip tip having a mounting portion for attachment to a needle hub, said luer slip tip having a lumen aligned with the channel or through hole in said handgrip; and a wire slide platform provided on the central portion of the housing.

A handle for maneuvering a catheter, comprises: a handle body having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a tubular passage extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end of the handle body. The handle includes a coupling mechanism at the proximal end and a strain relief sleeve at the distal end of the handle body. The strain relief sleeve is adapted to irremovably secure a flexible catheter sheath to the handle; and the coupling mechanism is adapted to detachably connect the handle to a patient interface unit (PIU). The handle body is ergonomically sized and shaped for grasping by a single hand of a user, and is configured to linearly engage to and disengage from the PIU via the coupling mechanism. When the handle is attached to the PIU, an imaging core moves linearly inside the tubular passage without bending.

Drive systems and methods of use are disclosed herein for performing medical procedures on a patient. The drive systems include various handle types and triggers for controlling catheters and end effectors. The various handle types include a flexible handle and ambidextrous handles that can alter the handedness of the handle for particularized use. The handles drive articulation sections of the catheter and end effectors with various degrees of freedom, and include locks for holding the catheter and/or end effector in place. The catheter systems include structures for allowing degrees of freedom, such as notches, mechanical interlocks, and articulation joints. In addition, the catheters articulate via cables or fluids.