A steerable endoscope system includes a continuum manipulator, a plurality of syringes, and a steerable tip. The continuum manipulator includes a plurality of spaced discs and a plurality of backbones each extending through all discs. A bending movement of the continuum manipulator changes a varying linear displacement of each backbone. Each backbone is further coupled to a different one of the syringes such that the linear displacement of each backbone pushes or pulls a piston of the corresponding syringe by a varying amount. The steerable tip includes a plurality of bellows each pneumatically coupled to a different syringe such that movement of the piston of a syringe causes the corresponding bellow to inflate or deflate. Because the distal end of each bellow is fixedly coupled to the same end effector, variations in the amount of inflation or deflation on each bellow causes a bending of the steerable tip.

This document describes methods and materials for reducing incision sizes for improving the treatment of pathological conditions, including arrhythmias and trauma, using temperature modulation via implantable devices. For example, this document describes methods and devices for treating atrial and/or ventricular fibrillation by cooling the epicardium.

An intravascular device includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a plurality of energy transmitting conduits extending within the elongated body. The distal ends of the energy transmitting conduits terminate at different axial locations along the distal end of the elongated body. In one embodiment, the number of energy transmission conduits is only two, such that the number of bends in the compound curve assumed by the distal end of the elongated body is only two, although the number of energy transmission conduits may be any suitable number.

Systems, medical devices, and methods for steering the medical devices are disclosed. For example, a system can include an elongate medical device and a pump station. The medical device can include a tubular body with a lumen. The lumen, which terminates proximal of a distal end of the medical device, can be configured to contain a fluid. The pump station can be configured to pressurize the fluid and, thereby, induce a curve in at least a distal portion of the medical device for steering the medical device through one or more anatomical lumens. Being as the tubular body of the medical device (e.g., a stylet) is configured to be disposed in another lumen of another elongate medical device (e.g., a catheter), any curvature in the medical device can be imparted to the other medical device when disposed therein for steering the other medical device through the one-or-more anatomical lumens.

Systems, medical devices, and methods for controlling stiffness of the medical devices are disclosed. For example, a system can include an elongate medical device such as a stylet and a pneumatic or hydraulic pump station. The medical device can include a tubular body with a lumen. The lumen, which terminates proximal of a distal end of the medical device, can be configured to contain a fluid. The pump station can be configured to pressurize the fluid and, thereby, stiffen at least a distal portion of the medical device. Being as the tubular body of the medical device is configured to be disposed in another lumen of another elongate medical device such as an intravenous catheter, any stiffness in the medical device (e.g., the stylet) can be imparted to the other medical device (e.g., the catheter) when disposed therein.

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.

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

Catheters that includes inner and outer elongate shafts, each of which is secured relative to an end of an inflatable member. Balloon bonding locations may be disposed radially inward relative to an outer dimension of the outer elongate shaft.

Catheter-supported therapeutic and diagnostic tools can be introduced into a patient body with a sheath slidably disposed over the tool. Once the tool is aligned with a target tissue, a first fluid-driven actuator can move the sheath axially from over the tool, for example, to allow a stent, stent-graft, prosthetic valve, or other self-expanding tool, to expand radially within the cardiovascular system, without having to transmit large deployment forces along the catheter shaft and sheath from outside the patient. A second fluid-driven actuator can be arranged in opposition to the first actuator to control release of the expanding tool or to recapture the tool within the sheath. The first and/or second actuators may comprise a balloon having a diameter larger than the sheath to provide the desired deployment and recapture forces with moderate fluid pressure.

A positioning device configured for introduction within a body lumen. Some embodiments include a catheter shaft with a longitudinal axis; an expandable element coupled along a length of the shaft, the expandable element being substantially thin and flexible in an unexpanded state and exerting a gentle outward force in an expanded state; and a deflection mechanism located within the shaft, wherein the deflection mechanism is flexible when in a non-deflected state and wherein, in the deflected state, the deflection curves in a predetermined lateral direction such that the positioning device laterally deflects the body lumen. In some embodiments, the deflection is a lateral curve that moves the body lumen away from a surgical site, such as a cardiac ablation site.