In some examples, a catheter includes an expandable member configured to expand radially outward from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The expandable member is configured to be expanded and contracted in a controlled manner, e.g., in response to user actuation or automatically under the control of control circuitry of a device. For example, in some examples, control circuitry of a device can be configured to control the expandable member to expand and contract according to a predetermined expansion frequency or according to an expansion frequency determined based on a cardiac cycle of a patient.

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.

A catheter tip is disclosed comprising a tip electrode comprising a ledge feature, and a center cavity and a manifold assembly comprising a fluid lumen manifold and a stop tube. The stop tube can be coupled to the fluid lumen manifold and configured to abut the ledge feature such that a distal end of the fluid lumen manifold extends a pre-determined distance into the center cavity of the tip electrode. The fluid lumen manifold can comprise a plurality of sideholes which can be sized and configured to distribute an irrigant to the tip electrode. The catheter tip can comprise a flexible tip electrode.

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.

This is in the general field of surgical instruments and is specifically a delivery catheter with a flexible, proximally-manipulated hinge or joint region. The inventive catheter may have a balloon region. The catheter may have a shaft of varying flexibility which contains several lumen. The inner, or delivery, lumen generally may be used with a guidewire to access target sites within the body via the flexible, small diameter vessels of the body. The delivery lumen may be also used for placement of occlusive materials, e.g., in an aneurysm. Inflation of the micro-balloon, located near the distal tip of the catheter, is effected using the inflation lumen. The push/pull wire lumen contains a wire, which when manipulated, flexes the catheter's distal tip. The push/pull wire tubing may have a variable thickness to aid in adjusting the degree of flexibility. Moreover, the delivery catheter may be capable of twisting in a helical or corkscrew-like manner for traversing certain vasculature. This may be accomplished by winding the push/pull wire within the catheter and fixedly attaching it. The catheter may further include an entry in the catheter wall to allow for the insertion of a guidewire; this may facilitate the rapid exchange of catheter devices as desired by the user.

A system and method used to deliver an aortic valve therapeutic device to an aortic valve site includes a cable percutaneously introduced a cable into a vasculature of a patient and positioned to run from a femoral vein, through the heart via a transeptal puncture, and to a femoral artery. The therapeutic device is passed over an end of the cable at the venous side and is secured to the cable. The therapeutic device is pushed in a distal direction while the second end of the cable is pulled in the proximal direction to advance the therapeutic device to the mitral valve site. A left ventricle redirector aids in orienting the therapeutic device and preventing migration of the cable towards delicate mitral valve structures and chordae tendoneae during advancement of the therapeutic device.

Disclosed herein are steerable catheter assemblies and methods of steering catheters that utilize driver and follower mechanisms to accomplish independent control of catheter flex magnitude and catheter flex direction. Some embodiments include a catheter with a first pull wire and a second pull wire that flex the catheter, a control handle coupled to the catheter, a first follower connected to the first pull wire, a second follower connected to the second pull wire, and a driver disposed in the control handle and coupled to the first and second followers. The rotation of the driver coupled to the control handle moves the first and second followers in opposite directions, and axial movement of the driver moves the first and second followers in the same direction.

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.