A system and apparatus comprising a multisensor guidewire for use in interventional cardiology, e.g., Transcatheter Valve Therapies (TVT), comprises a plurality of optical sensors for direct measurement of cardiovascular parameters, e.g. transvalvular blood pressure gradients. The guidewire has flexibility and stiffness characteristics for use as a support guidewire for TVT, e.g. for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), comprises multiple optical pressure sensors and respective optical fibers, and a pre-formed three-dimensional flexible tip, e.g. in the form of a helix. The three-dimensional pre-formed tip is configured to assist with anchoring the guidewire within one of the ventricles and atria of the heart, or within the pulmonary artery or aorta, during interventional cardiology procedures.

There is described a pressure guidewire. It comprises a sensor housing and a sensor assembly embedded in the sensor housing and comprising a pressure sensor. There is a band to support the pressure sensor assembly, the band being embedded inside the sensor housing and fixed to the pressure sensor assembly for holding the pressure sensor inside the sensor housing.

Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices include at least one mounting structure within a distal portion of the device. In that regard, one or more electronic, optical, and/or electro-optical component is coupled to the mounting structure. In some instances, the mounting structure is formed of a plurality of material layers. In some embodiments, the material layers have substantially constant thicknesses. Methods of making and/or assembling such intravascular devices/systems are also provided.

Apparatus, including a guidewire having a distal end, that is configured to be inserted into proximity with a nasal sinus of a patient, the guidewire having a lumen. The apparatus also includes an optic fiber, traversing the lumen, configured to illuminate the distal end, and a coil, wound around the optic fiber and located within the lumen at the distal end, configured to generate a signal in response to a magnetic field interacting with the coil. A processor is configured to receive the signal and to evaluate a location of the distal end in response to the signal.

The present invention relates to a treatment kit comprising: a guide having a distal end and a proximal end; a position determination device for determining the position of the distal end of the guide in the body of a patient; and a catheter intended to be inserted into the body of the patient.
The guide is graduated between its distal end and its proximal end, the graduations of the guide making it possible to measure a length of insertion of the guide into the body of the patient, and the catheter is adapted so as to be cut to a predetermined length that is determined based on the length of insertion.

The present document describes a pressure guidewire. It comprises a shaft tube having a proximal section configured to provide pushability to the pressure guidewire; a middle section extending distally relative to the proximal section, the middle section comprising a cut pattern configured to provide greater flexibility in the middle section than the proximal section; and a sensor housing section extending distally relative to the middle section. The pressure guidewire further comprises an inner hypotube comprising a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the inner hypotube positioned entirely radially inward of the shaft tube and within at least the middle section, the proximal end portion and the distal end portion of the inner hypotube being joined to the shaft tube; and a tip pressure sensor positioned in the sensor housing section.

Embodiments of a deployment system may include a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end. An actuator may be disposed at the distal end of the catheter and may be operatively connected to electrical connectors extending longitudinally along the catheter from the proximal end to the actuator. The electrical connectors may be configured for transmission of signals to the actuator. One or more connections may be coupled to the actuator and to a deployable medical device disposed at the distal end of the catheter.

Tubes (e.g., catheters, endotracheal or chest tubes and bypass grafts) are provided, comprising a catheter and a plurality of sensors.

A stylet for use in guiding a catheter to a predetermined location within the body of a patient. The stylet may include a continuous core member for transmitting an electrical signal from a distal section of the stylet to a proximal end. In some embodiments, the stylet includes a differing stiffness profile along its length. A differing stiffness characteristics can be achieved by varying the number of strands of a wire, the diameter of each individual strand, twisting or braiding the strands, or varying the number of turns per unit length of the twisted strands. The stiffness of the stylet may decrease from the proximal end to the distal section, for example, intermittently, continuously, or along continuous sections adjacent the distal end. By using multiple strands bundled together, the beneficial conductive and, optionally, magnetic properties can be maximized while at the same time the stiffness characteristics can be modified.

A lead delivery apparatus and a method of delivering a medical lead to an anatomic target site. The method includes inserting a hydraulic plug into an internal delivery lumen of a delivery shaft, and coupling a medical lead to the hydraulic plug. Hydraulic pressure is applied to the hydraulic plug through the delivery lumen, thereby moving the hydraulic plug toward an anatomic target site, and advancing the medical lead toward the target site.