Endovascular and intravascular devices and methods of manufacturing endovascular and intravascular devices may be provided. In one implementation, an intravascular device including an elongated sheath and an elongated coil distal to the sheath may be provided. The coil may include a first coil segment formed from a plurality of wires helically-wound at a first coil angle; a second coil segment formed from a first subset of the plurality of wires that is helically-wound at a second coil angle that is different from the first coil angle; and a third coil segment formed from a second subset of the plurality of wires that is helically-wound at a third coil angle that is different from the first and second coil angles. The coil segments may be configured such that flexibility of the coil increases in a longitudinal direction toward the distal end of the coil.

A medical device includes: an elongated tube having a wall defining a lumen for the elongated tube, wherein the wall of the elongated tube comprises a first opening; and a first actuating element coupled directly or indirectly to the wall of the elongated tube; wherein at least a part of the first actuating element and the first opening of the wall are located at a same longitudinal position with respect to a longitudinal axis of the elongated tube; and wherein the first actuating element is configured to change size to induce stress and/or displacement at the wall of the elongated tube to cause the elongated tube to bend.

An instrument for facilitating transseptal delivery of a cardiac therapeutic device is positionable in a left ventricle. The instrument includes an elongate shaft having a tubular lumen, the shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion actively steerable between a generally straight position and a curved position. An external pull wire and an internal pull wire are each actuatable to move the distal portion to the curved position. The external pull wire extends internally through the proximal portion of the shaft and longitudinally along the exterior of the distal portion of the shaft, while the internal pull wire extends internally through the proximal portion of the shaft adjacent to the external pull wire, and extends internally through the distal portion of the shaft.

In various examples, an apparatus includes a first hypotube formed from a first material and a second hypotube formed from a second material different from the first material. A first joint is formed between the first hypotube and the second hypotube, the first joint including a combination of the first material and the second material. The apparatus includes a sidewall and a passageway extending through the apparatus. The sidewall is formed by the first sidewall of the first hypotube, the second sidewall of the second hypotube, and the first joint. The apparatus includes an outer diameter that is substantially consistent along a length of the apparatus and an inner diameter that is substantially consistent along a length of the apparatus. In other examples, a method of joining the first hypotube to the second hypotube is contemplated.

Polymeric tubing, for use with catheters or other medical devices, where the polymeric tubing can have regions of customized properties including, but not limited to, durometer, torque control, flexibility, axial strength, stiffness, etc. One variation of the device allows for transitions between regions to be configured such that there can be gradual or customized transitions between various regions such that the structural characteristics differential between the regions are selectively designed. Additional variations include outer layers having a plurality of material sections extending in a spiral direction along the axial length to form a continuous wall of the outer layer. In certain variations, the structural characteristic differential is minimized or eliminated as compared to conventional catheters.

Polymeric tubing, for use with catheters or other medical devices, where the polymeric tubing can have regions of customized properties including, but not limited to, durometer, torque control, flexibility, axial strength, stiffness, etc. One variation of the device allows for transitions between regions to be configured such that there can be gradual or customized transitions between various regions such that the structural characteristics differential between the regions are selectively designed. Additional variations include outer layers having a plurality of material sections extending in a spiral direction along the axial length to form a continuous wall of the outer layer. In certain variations, the structural characteristic differential is minimized or eliminated as compared to conventional catheters.

Polymeric tubing, for use with catheters or other medical devices, where the polymeric tubing can have regions of customized properties including, but not limited to, durometer, torque control, flexibility, axial strength, stiffness, etc. One variation of the device allows for transitions between regions to be configured such that there can be gradual or customized transitions between various regions such that the structural characteristics differential between the regions are selectively designed. Additional variations include outer layers having a plurality of material sections extending in a spiral direction along the axial length to form a continuous wall of the outer layer. In certain variations, the structural characteristic differential is minimized or eliminated as compared to conventional catheters.

Distal tips for use with delivery catheters are disclosed that are configured to facilitate deflection of the catheters as they are advanced through the vasculature to a desired treatment site. Distal tips so configured realize one or more of the objectives of safer, more accurate steering of the catheter through the vasculature.

A conduit for creating a passage from a right atrium to a left atrium, through a mitral valve into the left ventricle, and to provide a passage from the left ventricle into the aortic valve. The conduit includes an elongate tubular member having a shaft with a proximal section and a distal loop section at a distal end of the proximal section. The distal loop section includes a proximal curve, a distal curve, a generally straight segment extending between the curves, and a distal tip. The shaft in the distal loop section curves back on itself so that proximal curve is formed by a part of the shaft that is closer along the length of the shaft to the distal tip. The shapes of the proximal and distal curves are selected to direct the distal tip into the mitral valve after it has crossed the inter-atrial septum from the right atrium to the left atrium of the heart, and to orient the distal opening of the distal tip towards the aortic valve when the proximal curve is in the mitral valve and the distal tip is in the left ventricle.

A deflectable catheter shaft section is disclosed comprising an elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis with a distal end and a proximal end. First and second pull wires can extend along the elongated body and can have a proximal end and a distal end. First and second pull wire liners can be disposed over a portion of one of the first and second pull wires, respectively. Each of the first and second pull wires can have a proximal end and a distal end. A first gap can exist between the proximal end of the first pull wire liner and the proximal end of the elongated body and a second gap can exist between the proximal end of the second pull wire liner and the proximal end of the elongated body.