Disclosed are guidewire and catheter systems that can be used to facilitate desirable catheter axial response (e.g., pushability) over a guidewire for advancement through patient vasculature. Features of the guidewire and catheter systems enable the catheter to advance over the guidewire within the tortuous paths of a patient's vasculature in response to push forces that do not exceed 50 g.

Methods described herein can include drawing materials to form a drawn filled tubing (DFT) wire. The materials can include a core material, a first layer of a biocompatible material disposed exterior to the filler material, a magnetic material disposed external to the first layer of biocompatible material, and a second layer of biocompatible material disposed exterior to the magnetic material. In some embodiments, the method further comprises melting the core material to form a magnet with a through hole lumen. In some embodiments, the method can further include applying an external magnetic field to the materials during the drawing to align grains of the magnetic material. In some embodiments, the core material can have a melting point lower than a melting point of the magnetic material and the biocompatible material.

A medical manipulator includes: an insertion portion, an end effector, a bend restraining unit, a position detector, an operation unit, a first drive unit, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to generate the first drive signal based on an output and the position of the bend restraining unit which is detected by the position detector. The output is output from the operation unit that operates the bending portion.

A catheter system may comprise an articulation joint including a first pair of links and a second pair of links. Each link may include a central channel enclosed at least in part by radially extending arcuate segments. The first pair of links may include a first link and a second link, and the second pair of links may include the second link and a third link. The system may also comprise a first pair of springs coupled between the first and second links. The system may also comprise a second pair of springs coupled between the second and third links. The system may also include control wires extending through the first pair of springs and a control wires extending through the second pair of springs. The spring walls may share a radial dimension with the link walls.

A flexing structure for an insertion tube of a medical device including tubular vertebrae with a proximal tubular vertebra and a distal tubular vertebra and at least one actuating cable surrounded by a sheath over at least part of its length, the flexing structure including a tube cut with energy-beam cutting lines to create tubular vertebrae that nest in one another, the proximal tubular vertebra including, for each actuating cable, a radial and axial blocking system for the sheath, comprising an elongate cutout created in such a way as to delimit two stop edges that limit the radial engagement of the sheath in the cutout, this cutout opening at its distal part into a slot delimited by at least two cutout lines between which there is attached a pressing tab designed to press the sheath radially against the two stop edges of the cutout, this slot being bordered by a rim for axially stopping the sheath.

Coupler assemblies and methods are disclosed as the coupler assemblies may be used with a catheter. An exemplary coupler assembly includes a spherical linkage coupler for a catheter. The coupler comprises a first cylinder portion for connecting to a structure, and a second cylinder portion for connecting to a distal end of a body of the catheter. The coupler also comprises a spherical linkage including at least two link arms. Each of the two link arms are connected on one end to the first cylinder portion and on the other end to the second cylinder portion. The two link arms connect a portion of the structure to the distal end of the catheter and enable the structure to move relative to the distal end of the catheter in response to an external force exerted on the structure.

A system for aiding placement of a nasogastric tube or a nasoduodenal tube and a method for using the same is disclosed, and the system comprises that of: a placing tube; a three-way connector, having a first port, a second port, and a third port, the first port being on the opposite end to the second port, the first port being adjacent to the third port, the first port being connected with a proximal end of the placing tube, the third port being adapted for pumping air or fluid into the three-way connector; an endoscope, having an insertion tube and an image-capturing device, the distal end of the insertion tube being a bending section, the image-capturing device being located in the front end of the bending section; and a display unit, connected with the endoscope.

A surgical instrument including an articulating region. An outer tube and an inner tube are axially fixed to one another distal to the articulating region and axially movable relative to one another proximal to the articulating region. Relative movement of the inner and outer tubes provides for articulation of the articulating tube assembly to a curved configuration. A working tool may be removably directed through a central cannula defined by the inner tube. The working tool may include a shaft having a flexible region configured to be arranged within the articulating region. The shaft may rotate within the inner tube with the articulating tube assembly in the curved configuration. The working tool may include a housing hub configured to be coupled with a handle to removably position the flexible region within the articulating region. Multiple working tools may be interchangeably directed through the central cannula.

A surgical instrument and its method of use are disclosed. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument may include a handle and an elongated shaft assembly extending distally from the handle. The elongated shaft assembly may include an articulable portion with an articulation direction. The elongated shaft assembly may also include a tubular member with a flexible portion with a preferential bending direction and a direction of bending resistance. The tubular member may permit articulation of the elongated shaft assembly when the preferential bending direction is aligned with the articulation direction.

The disclosure relates to cannulae, delivery systems, methods of making cannulae, and methods of making delivery systems. A delivery system comprises an elongate outer tubular member defining an outer tubular member lumen, a cannula having a circumferential wall extending between a proximal end and a distal end and defining an interior lumen, and an intraluminal medical device disposed within the outer tubular member lumen distal to the cannula and not about the cannula. A pattern of openings arranged in an interrupted spiral extends circumferentially along the cannula.