Apparatus for controlling motion of an invasive probe relative to a sheath enclosing the probe. The apparatus includes an outer casing, configured for connection to the sheath. The apparatus further includes a drive mechanism, fixedly connected to the outer casing. The drive mechanism has a first set of components, configured to translate the probe along a direction parallel to as axis of the probe, in order to advance and retract the probe with respect to the sheath in a translational stepwise manner. The drive mechanism also includes a second set of components, configured to rotate the probe around the axis of the probe, in order to rotate the probe clockwise and counter-clockwise, with respect to the sheath, in a rotational stepwise manner.

A system comprises an instrument having a bendable portion with first and control elements extending in the bendable portion and a control system operably coupled to an actuator and a sensor. The control system operates to, while the bendable portion is in a neutral position, command the actuator to move the first control element a first amount until slack is removed from the first control element and command the actuator to move the second control element a second amount until slack is removed from the second control element. The control system also receives a first control element calibration position after moving the first control element the first amount and receives a second control element calibration position after moving the second control element the second amount. The control system also commands the actuator to bend the bendable portion from the neutral position and determine a resulting shape of the bendable portion.

A flexible tube insertion apparatus includes an insertion section inserted into an insertion target conduit, a rigidity variable member disposed inside the insertion section and capable of changing rigidity, and a binding member configured to bind a proximal end portion of the rigidity variable member to be capable of changing a pressing force applied to an outer circumferential surface of the proximal end portion.

An intracardiac delivery catheter or assembly is disclosed. The delivery catheter includes a delivery lumen and a flow assist balloon inflatable through an inflation lumen. In illustrated embodiments the delivery lumen has a diameter dimension of at least 8F, 9F, 10F or between 8-14F for insertion of an intracardiac echocardiography catheter (ICE) for placement at an intracardiac imaging site. In embodiments described, the delivery catheter is used for placement of an ICE catheter in a pulmonary artery or other treatment site using an asymmetric balloon having an asymmetric profile and portion to steer the delivery catheter, for example, into the right ventricle and into the pulmonary artery.

Articulation devices, systems, methods for articulation, and methods for fabricating articulation structures will often include simple balloon arrays, with inflation of the balloons interacting with elongate skeletal support structures so as to locally alter articulation of the skeleton. The skeleton may comprise a simple helical coil or interlocking helical channels, and the array can be used to locally deflect or elongate an axis of the coil under control of a processor. Liquid inflation fluid may be directed so as to pressurize the balloons from an inflation fluid canister, and may vaporize within a plenum or the channels or balloons of the articulation system, with the inflation system preferably including valves controlled by the processor. The articulation structures can be employed in minimally invasive medical catheter systems, and also for industrial robotics, for supporting imaging systems, for entertainment and consumer products, and the like.

A surgical instrument of the present disclosure includes: a conductive cable member formed into a cable-like shape; a conductive outer shell covering a circumference of the cable member; first and second insulating portions made of materials having higher insulation properties than the cable member and the outer shell; a projecting portion projecting from a projecting insulating portion, which is one of the first and second insulating portions, toward a recessed insulating portion, which is the other, the cable member being inserted into the projecting portion; a conductive leading end portion separated from the recessed insulating portion and the outer shell, the leading end portion being bendable using tension of the cable member with an end portion connected thereto; and a power supply cable in a cable-like shape arranged inside the first and second insulating portions for supplying an electric power from outside to the leading end portion.

Methods and devices described for improved catheters including those having a deflectable section to allow for expansion while maintaining flow through a vessel.

According to one aspect, a guidewire assembly for positioning within a body of a patient may include a guidewire shaft having a proximal section and a distal section. The distal section may be configured to move within the body of a patient when the guidewire assembly is in a first operating state. The distal section may be configured to expand radially outward when the guidewire assembly is in a second operating state to engage an interior surface of the body and inhibit movement of the guidewire shaft.

Provided are medical devices that comprise first and second tubes with a sealed insulating space formed therebetween, the devices being steerable and configured to deliver a fluid to a treatment site on or within a subject. The tubes of the devices can include corrugations so as to allow for bendability of the devices. Also provided are methods of using the disclosed devices.

Disclosed herein are medical instrument and medical method for localized drug delivery. The medical instrument can comprise a catheter shaft assembly, a hub coupled to the proximal end of the catheter shaft assembly, an inflatable component at the distal end of the catheter shaft assembly, a tissue penetrating member coupled to the inflatable component in an orientation transverse to the longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft assembly, and at least one protective element coupled to the inflatable component in proximity to the tissue penetrating member. The protective element can be configured to prevent any damage of the inflatable body during a placement of the medical instrument and an actuation of the inflatable component.