Disclosed is a coupling for use in a looped medical device, such as a loop catheter. A sleeve is fitted onto a distal portion of an activation wire and a shape-memory wire is positioned alongside the sleeved activation wire. The sleeve is welded onto the activation wire to hold the sleeve onto the activation wire and is also welded onto the shape-memory wire that is positioned alongside the activation wire, thereby affixing the activation wire to the shape-memory wire. Also disclosed is an activation wire for use in a catheter. The activation wire includes a proximal section, and a distal section having at least a partial loop. The activation wire includes a connection section on the distal section, where the connection section is linear, and where the external surface of the connection section has a higher coefficient of friction than at least some of the remaining portion of the actuation wire that is housed within the catheter shaft.

A catheter has a distal assembly with at least one loop, if not two, with ring electrodes. The distal assembly has an elongated support member covered by an extruded form having two lumens, one sized for nonslip tight fit with the support member. 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.

An embolic device for placement in a body lumen, includes: a first segment having a first linear configuration when located inside a catheter, the first segment being configured to form a first three-dimensional structure when outside the catheter, wherein the first three-dimensional structure defines a cavity; and a second segment extending from the first segment, the second segment having a second linear configuration when located inside the catheter, the second segment being configured to form a second three-dimensional structure when outside the catheter; wherein the cavity of the first three-dimensional structure is configured to accommodate at least a majority of the second three-dimensional structure.

A catheter hub for use with a medical device and a catheter, the hub includes a hub body defining a fluid passageway in communication with a first aperture. Optionally, the hub body defines a second aperture that intersects the first aperture. The hub body attaches to the catheter wherein the fluid passageway and the catheter are aligned for fluid flow therethrough. The first aperture extends from and communicates with the fluid passageway to an exterior surface of the hub body and the first aperture configured to receive the medical device. The second aperture extends from and communicates with the first aperture and the exterior surface. A sealing element is sized for and positioned in either the first or the second apertures. The sealing element is configured to receive the medical device and seal both of the first and the second apertures.

Locking catheters including a fluid-tight hub and mechanism to secure a flexible member. An illustrative locking catheter may comprise an elongate shaft defining a lumen, a first connection member coupled to the elongate shaft, a second connection member configured to be releasably coupled to the first connection member, and a flexible member extending through at least a portion of a lumen of the elongate shaft and a portion of a lumen of the first connection member. The proximal end of the flexible member may extend through the aperture of the first connection member such that the proximal end of the flexible member is exterior to the first connection member. When the second connection member is coupled with the first connection member, the flexible member may be secured between an inner surface of the first connection member and an outer surface of the inner tubular member of the second connection member.

Devices and techniques that enable multiple electrodes to be positioned proximate organic tissue, such as human tissue. In one embodiment, a catheter is provided that includes a shaft and a distal segment. The distal segment includes a plurality of electrodes configured in a plane that is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Disclosed is an adjustable curved medical catheter, including a catheter (110), a handle (140), and a traction wine (122) provided in the catheter (110). The distal end of the traction wire (122) is connected to the elastic distal end of the catheter (110). The adjustable curved medical catheter further includes a retainer device (130) provided in the handle (140) and connected to the handle (140). The retainer device (130) includes a rotating member (132) and a body (131) having a receiving groove (131a) for receiving the rotating member (132) and a guiding hole (133) extending through the outer wall of the body (131) to the receiving groove (131a). A slot (134) formed between the rotating member (132) and the inner wall of the body (131) is smaller than the diameter of the traction wire (122). The proximal end of the traction wire (122) extends through the guiding hole (133) and engages in the slot (134). The traction wire (122) of the adjustable curved medical catheter has the advantages of a solid and reliable connection, a high reliability of curve adjustment and high flexibility, and can be live-adjusted to fit individual circumstances.

An embolic device for placement in a body lumen, includes: a first segment having a first linear configuration when located inside a catheter, the first segment being configured to form a first three-dimensional structure when outside the catheter, wherein the first three-dimensional structure defines a cavity; and a second segment extending from the first segment, the second segment having a second linear configuration when located inside the catheter, the second segment being configured to form a second three-dimensional structure when outside the catheter; wherein the cavity of the first three-dimensional structure is configured to accommodate at least a majority of the second three-dimensional structure.

A mini-loop cardiac ablation catheter having a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one loop extending from the distal end. A handle is coupled to the proximal end of the shaft, the handle having a steering mechanism. A plurality of electrodes are positioned on the loop electrically coupled to at least one electrical connector in the handle. the at least one electrical connector being configured to electrically coupled with an electrical ablation energy source to power the plurality of electrodes.

A guidewire introducable into a bodily lumen having an obstruction therein is provided. An introducer needle is advanced through tissue and into the bodily lumen. A guidewire is advanced through the introducer and into the lumen. The guidewire is advanced further through the lumen until an atraumatic distal tip of the guidewire encounters an obstruction the distal tip cannot pass in a straight forward manner. The distal tip is pressed against the obstruction such that a flexible segment proximal of the distal tip forms a loop distal of the distal tip. The guidewire is advanced further through the lumen such that the loop of the flexible segment is pushed past the obstruction and the distal tip is pulled distally past the obstruction. A greater diameter guidewire extension can be coupled to the back end of the guidewire, providing function as a larger diameter guidewire.