A medical device includes an inner element and an outer element positioned at least in part around the inner element. At least one of the inner element and the outer element comprises compression-stiffening particles. The compression-stiffening particles are transitionable from a first state to a second state in response to application of pressure. The compression-stiffening particles have a higher rigidity in the second state than in the first state. The medical device also includes a pressure source operably coupled to one or both of the inner element and the outer element to apply pressure sufficient to transition the compression-stiffening particles from the first state to the second state.

A deflectable guiding catheter that includes a proximal handle assembly, an elongated catheter shaft extending distally from the proximal handle assembly and including a deflectable distal end portion, a drive mechanism within the proximal handle assembly for steering the deflectable distal end portion of the catheter shaft, an anchor ring positioned adjacent a distal end of the catheter shaft, an elongated pull wire extending from the drive mechanism and connected to the anchor ring, a braided sleeve extending from a proximal end of the catheter shaft to a proximal end of the anchor ring, and a containment ring positioned over a distal end portion of the braided sleeve at the proximal end of the anchor ring.

Disclosed herein are steerable-catheter control handles and catheter assemblies that include pull wires and direction and magnitude controls on the handle operable such that adjustment of the direction and magnitude controls adjusts a direction and degree of catheter flex, thereby to steer the catheter as an operator directs.

An electrophysiology catheter comprising a tubular shaft, the shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion having a distal end and a deflection region, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis and including an outer tubular jacket, and articulation member disposed within the jacket in the deflection region, the articulation member comprising a plurality of longitudinally-arranged tubular segments, a plurality of first connecting segments, and a plurality of second connecting segments, wherein adjacent tubular segments are joined by respective ones of the first and second connecting segments, and wherein all of the first and second connecting segments are disposed in a first plane extending through the longitudinal axis. A first reinforcing member and a second reinforcing member extend through the plurality of first and second connecting segments, respectively.

A system including an outer member, an elongated column member extending distally from the outer member and an inner member positioned coaxial with the outer member and attached to the column member. The inner member extends distally of the outer member and has a distal portion. The catheter is positioned within an outer catheter, such as an aspiration catheter, which provides a reinforcement member over the column member to restrict movement of the column member such that when one of the inner member or outer member is moved with respect to the other, axial compression of the column member is restricted by the inner wall of the outer catheter causing the distal portion of the inner member to deflect laterally to thereby redirect the outer catheter.

The objective is to provide a catheter that can realize a desired curve shape by preventing the curving axis of the catheter distal part from twisting, and preventing the catheter from kinking and decreased pushability. Disclosed is a catheter (1) having a shaft (2); at least one wire (30); a coil (60); a leaf spring (40) having a first connection part (41) where its proximal part is fixed to a distal end part of the coil (60); and a cover tube (50), wherein the coil (60) has a fixed part (61) where it is fixed to the shaft (2) at a position proximal to the proximal end of the cover tube (50); and the length from the distal end of the fixed part (61) to the proximal end of the cover tube (60) in the longitudinal direction is a length of 20 windings of the coil (60) or shorter.

Provided are a catheter device and a catheter package which are capable of preventing a bend from being formed in a catheter body.

The catheter body includes a wire state discrimination portion which discriminates a protruding state and a non-protruding state, in which the wire state discrimination portion includes a stopper which allows a transition from the protruding state to the non-protruding state, and blocks a transition from the non-protruding state to the protruding state.

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 deflectable catheter including an outer member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, an elongated column member extending distally from the outer member and an inner member positioned coaxial with the outer member and attached to the column member. The inner member extends distally of the outer member and has a distal tip portion. A reinforcement member is positioned over the column member to restrict axial movement of the column member such that when one of the inner member or outer member is moved with respect to the other, axial compression of the column member is restricted by the reinforcement member causing the distal tip portion of the inner member to deflect laterally.