A catheter and a method for controlling the catheter, wherein the catheter has a tip, optionally comprising a working channel extending through the tip of the catheter, a set of coils surrounding the tip, and power wires arranged to supply the set of coils with electrical energy, wherein the set of coils comprises four side coils arranged around the tip such that a straight line standing orthogonal on a longitudinal direction of the tip crosses a center of the respective side coil.

A The flexible tube insertion apparatus includes: a flexible tube section divided into one or more segments; one or more variable stiffness sections to change bending stiffness of the flexible tube section in a segment unit; a state detector to detect information on a bending state of the flexible tube section; a bend determination section to determine whether the flexible tube section bends based on the detected bending state; and a stiffness controller to control the bending stiffness of the flexible tube section in at least one segment unit by changing a bending stiffness value of the variable stiffness section based on information acquired from the bend determination section. After the bend determination section determines that a segment including the variable stiffness section bends, the stiffness controller controls the variable stiffness section so that a bending stiffness value of the flexible tube section in the segment becomes relatively high to a bending stiffness value of the flexible tube section at a proximal end side from the segment.

A steerable surgical device includes a flexible joint positioned between first and second tubular elements, with multiple shape memory alloy wire elements extending across or through the joint being circumferentially spaced relative to one another and independently actuatable to effectuate pivotal movement between the first and second tubular elements (e.g., along at least two or at least three nonparallel planes) to provide enhanced maneuverability relative to single degree of freedom steerable devices. Longitudinal guide structures (e.g., channels or bores) and/or anchor points for shape memory alloy wire elements may be circumferentially spaced in or on the tubular elements to receive the shape memory alloy wire elements.

The present disclosure relates to delivery systems for delivering and deploying interventional devices to a targeted area within a body, such as delivering a replacement heart valve to a targeted heart valve. A delivery device includes a steerable catheter and a replacement valve delivery system positioned within the steerable catheter and configured to be translatable within the steerable catheter. The steerable catheter includes one or more control wires running from a distal end of the catheter to a handle at the proximal end of the catheter. Each control wire is coupled to a control of the handle such that manipulation of the control provides deflection and control of the steerable catheter.

This invention provides a system and method that allows a therapeutic device, such as an atrial fibrillation microwave ablation catheter or ablation tip to be guided to a remote location within a body cavity and then accurately immobilized on the tissue, including that of a moving organ, such as the heart. In various embodiments, the system and method also enables accurate movement and steering along the tissue, while in engagement therewith. Such movement and engagement entails the use of vacuum or microneedle structures on at least two interconnected and articulated immobilizers that selectively engage to and release from the tissue to allow a crawling or traversing walking across the organ as the therapeutic catheter/tool tip applies treatment (AGE devices). In further embodiments that lack a movement capability (AID devices), the immobilizers allow a predetermined position for the introduced device to be maintained against the tissue while a treatment is applied to the location adjacent thereto. In the exemplary AID devices, variety of steering mechanisms and mechanisms for exposing and anchoring a catheter against the underlying tissue can be employed. In the exemplary AGE devices, a variety of articulation and steering mechanisms, including those based upon pneumatic/hydraulic bellows, lead screws and electromagnetic actuators can be employed.

A device comprises a plurality of electroactive material actuator units arranged as a linear set. Data for controlling the driving of the individual units is provided on a data line, and data line connections are made between each adjacent pair of electroactive material actuator units. The electroactive material actuator units are controlled in dependence on received data from the data line. This provides a reduced complexity of the wiring when multiple actuators need to be addressed and controlled in small application environments.

A tube for a steerable introduction element like a catheter, an endoscope or a sheath includes composite material of a shape memory alloy material and a non-shape-memory polymer material. The tube is used for making the introduction element steerable in a relatively easy way by modifying the temperature of the tube as required for achieving a preferred bending of the introduction element.

A catheter, comprising: a flexible tubular member having at least one lumen therethrough and a proximal end and a distal end; a plurality of conductive cables extending through at least one of the at least one lumen; and at least one electrically operated component, attached at the distal end and powered by at least one electrical current driven on at least one of the plurality of conductive cables. Some of the plurality of conductive cables are attached to the distal end such that the flexible tubular member is deformed by exerting at the proximal end a tensile force on one of the some of the plurality of conductive cables and a compressive force on another of the some of the plurality of conductive cables, while the at least one electrical current is driven on the some of the plurality of conductive cables.

A transseptal needle or punch wherein the distal end of the transseptal needle is able to articulate laterally out of the longitudinal axis of the steerable transseptal needle. The transseptal needle further comprise a blunted distal end configuration that is minimally traumatic. Under control by the user or a computer, at the proximal end of the transseptal needle can be articulated to generate various curves with high bending force. The transseptal needle is configured for use within a transseptal introducer.

An actuator device is provided having a controllable stiffness profile, wherein an actuator member (12) comprises an electroactive polymer material (16) having light absorbing filler elements (20) embedded therein. The filler elements are adapted to absorb and convert incident light (26) to heat energy to therefore heat surrounding sections of the electroactive material. By selectively controlling an intensity level or spectral composition of a light source (24) directed at the actuator member, a specific degree and spread of heating can be achieved across the member and, as a result, a specific desired stiffness or flexibility profile can be realised across the actuator member.