Disclosed is a system including an electrode and a stylet configured to steer the electrode towards its intended position during implantation, and a method for such system's use. An electrode is provided having regions with varied flexibility. A stylet having bends that are indexed to specific regions of flexibility of the electrode may be inserted into the electrode, and upon minimal radial and/or longitudinal movement of the stylet within the electrode, will cause the magnitude of the angle to which the lead is bent to either increase or decrease so as to aid the operator in placement of the electrode.

Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes providing a first intravascular device having a distal portion with a concave side, inserting the first device into the vascular lumen, positioning the distal portion in the vascular wall, and orienting the concave side of the distal portion toward the vascular lumen.

Introducer sheaths are described. In one embodiment, an introducer sheath comprises a sheath hub, a fixed housing coupled to the sheath hub, a rotating element rotatably coupled to the fixed housing, a sheath tube fixedly coupled to the rotating element, and a lock coupled to the rotating element. The lock is capable of preventing the rotating element and the sheath tube from rotating with respect to the sheath hub.

A method may include accessing an artery in communication with an ophthalmic artery of a subject, and advancing a microcatheter along the accessed artery so as to align a distal end of the microcatheter with an ostium of the ophthalmic artery, wherein the microcatheter includes a lumen having a guidewire positioned therein. In addition, the method includes proximally withdrawing the guidewire relative to the microcatheter so as to enable a distal portion of the microcatheter to assume a curved relaxed configuration, and cannulating the ostium with the distal portion of the microcatheter when the distal portion is in the curved relaxed configuration.

Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes providing a first intravascular device having a distal portion with a concave side, inserting the first device into the vascular lumen, positioning the distal portion in the vascular wall, and orienting the concave side of the distal portion toward the vascular lumen.

A coagulation suction device having an insulation cover and first and second bipolar wires. The insulation cover has a distal end and a distal opening formed at the distal end, and a hollow cavity configured to receive a hollow suction tube. The first and second bipolar wires are encapsulated within the insulation cover and extend along the insulation cover to the distal end. The first and second bipolar wires extend distally beyond a distal-most surface of the insulation cover, and each have an exposed distal end. The exposed distal ends are bent toward each other and terminate adjacent to and spaced apart from each other.

A catheterization apparatus includes a catheter having a steering mechanism for deflecting a distal portion of the catheter by operation of relative bending stiffnesses of a drive tube and of a core wire. The catheter is remotely controlled from a control station via a rotatable actuation device which supports actuators for providing translation and rotation motions. The catheter is looped and rigidly guided in a channel controlling a distal length of the catheter.

A catheter has a distal assembly with at least one loop with ring electrodes. A single continuous puller wire for bidirectional deflection is pre-bent into two long portions and a U-shape bend therebetween. The U-shape bend is anchored at a distal end of a deflectable section which is reinforced by at least one washer having at least two holes, each hole axially aligned with a respective lumen in the deflectable section. Each hole is centered with a lumen so that each puller wire portion therethrough is straight and subjected to tensile force only. A proximal end of the support member is flattened and serrated to provide a better bonding to the distal end of the deflectable section.

Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes inserting an intramural crossing device into the vascular lumen, positioning at least the distal tip of the crossing device in the vascular wall, advancing an orienting device over the crossing device such that an orienting element of the orienting device resides in the vascular wall, inserting a reentry device, and re-entering the true vascular lumen.

A steerable guide sheath system adapted for delivery into a patient's vasculature. The pull wire which is used to tension the deflectable portion of the sheath is wrapped or twisted around the axis of the sheath.