A steerable stylet assembly includes a tubular member defining a passage, the tubular member defining a first bend enhancing region. At least one further bend enhancing region is arranged intermediate the first bend enhancing region and a distal end of the tubular member. A first actuator is received in the passage of the tubular member, a distal end of the first actuator being fast with the tubular member at a first termination so that relative axial movement between the tubular member and the first actuator causes deflection at the first enhancing region. A second actuator is received in the passage of the tubular member, a distal end of the second actuator being fast with the tubular member at a second termination so that relative axial movement between the tubular member and the second actuator causes the distal part of the tubular member to be formed into a desired shape. The assembly includes a control mechanism to control relative axial movement between the tubular member and each of the actuators.

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.

Embodiments of the invention include a single lumen catheter for delivering high pressure contrast injection for TAVR procedures. The catheter comprises a main lumen for delivering contrast media extending from the proximal end to the distal pigtail end, a distal end hole for delivering contrast media, one or more side holes proximate of the end hole along the catheter shaft on the distal angled portion, a distal angled section that is angled from the main catheter lumen axis, a distal pigtail configuration that is angled from the axis of the distal section, and a distal pigtail loop. Other embodiments are also included herein.

A drainage catheter includes an elongated tubular member and a locking assembly. The locking assembly includes a first protruding element and a collar. The first protruding element is disposed proximal to a port in the tubular member through which a proximal portion of a tension member may exit. The collar is coaxially disposed about the tubular member and has a second protruding element projecting from an interior surface of the collar. The collar is configured for longitudinal sliding movement relative to the tubular member such that the collar may be moved along the tubular member toward the proximal end of the tubular member thereby interacting with the first protruding element and securing the proximal portion of the tension member between the first protruding element and the collar.

A catheter with a variable circular loop responsive to a contraction wire for coiling is supported by a member having a tapered distal section that transitions from a circular cross-section to a generally rectangular cross-section while maintaining a uniform cross-sectional area along the entire tapered length for improved coiling characteristics. A radially constrictive sleeve prevents separation of the contraction wire from the support member to minimize misshaping of the loop during contraction.

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.

A catheter having a radiopaque marker. The radiopaque marker is disposed on a distal end of the catheter tube and is configured to allow for simple and efficient identification of the location of a predetermined drainage bore on an X-ray or other radiographic technique. In one implementation, the radiopaque marker is associated with the catheter tube such that inclusion of the radiopaque marker does not increase the outer diameter or decrease the inner diameter of the tube.

A catheter assembly comprises a first elongate tubular member having a proximal end portion defining a proximal end, a distal end portion having an opening therein and defining a distal end, and at least one lumen defined between the proximal end and the distal end. A second elongate tubular member has a proximal end portion defining a proximal end, a distal end portion defining a distal end, and at least one lumen defined between the proximal end and the distal end. The second elongate tubular member is received within the at least one lumen of the first elongate tubular member, such that the distal end portion of the second elongate tubular member projects from the opening in the distal end portion of the first elongate tubular member. An elongate, shape-imparting element is receivable in the at least one lumen of at least one of the first elongate tubular member and the second elongate tubular member. The shape-imparting element imparts a non-rectilinear shape to the distal end portion of at least one of the first elongate tubular member and the second elongate tubular member.

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

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.