A catheter, including a catheter tube defining: a proximal end; a distal end; a longitudinal axis; a lumen therethrough; and one or more zones having each having a cut pattern segment therein, wherein cut pattern segment defines a plurality of cuts spaced around a circumference of the tube. The distal end may include a tip segment having a plurality of helical segments extending around the longitudinal axis, wherein each helical segment includes two substantially parallel filars connected at distal ends thereof.

The present invention relates to a system, its catheter and its method for providing electrical pulses and/or therapeutic or diagnostic liquids directly to a pituitary gland of a mammal. The catheter, containing an electrode or a microcannula or both, is moved through an endovascular route of a patient to his/her sinus cavernosus and then the distal end of the electrode or microcannula is moved through an opening in the distal end of the catheter and then through a perforation in the medial wall of the sinus cavernosus, to the pituitary gland.

A catheter assembly for navigation including a flexible catheter having a proximal portion adjacent a proximal end and a distal portion adjacent a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis, the flexible catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough along a longitudinal axis and configured to enable translation of an instrument from the proximal end to the distal end. The flexible catheter defines a compound curve formed on the distal portion, wherein the compound curve includes an elbow bend and a radially curved portion. The elbow bend deflecting the distal portion of the flexible catheter from the longitudinal axis, while the radially curved portion extends from the elbow bend farther deflecting the distal portion about a center point. The catheter guide assembly for navigation includes a control handle disposed at the proximal end of the flexible catheter and is configured to advance and rotate the flexible catheter within a luminal structure.

Described are methods, systems, and devices for facilitation of intraluminal medical procedures within the neurovasculature including catheters and catheter advancement elements.

A catheter placement system including a removable skin nicking device coupled with a catheter, e.g., a Rapidly Insertable Central Catheter. The skin nicking device includes a handle and a blade extending therefrom. The blade is disposed within a notch extending along a dilation section of the catheter. The blade includes a radially outward directed sharp edge configured to cut the skin adjacent a catheter insertion site. A distal end of the blade is disposed within the notch to prevent a skin bridge during insertion of the catheter. A needle is inserted into an access lumen of the catheter via a needle access port and an access guidewire is disposed within a lumen of the needle. An advancement guidewire is also disposed within the access lumen.

An embolization microcatheter is configured to deliver embolization particles to a target area and minimize or prevent embolization of a non-target area. The microcatheter includes a section, located between the distal and proximal ends of the microcatheter, having a skeleton formed of braided wires and a polymeric layer intercalated into and/or overlaying the skeleton. This section includes a plurality of axial slits, each slit having a smallest cross-sectional dimension configured to prevent outflow of the embolization particles.

A method of molding a polymeric device having an elongated tube and a spiral fin. The method including: injecting a liquid resin into a mold space defining the polymeric device, the mold space having an elongated hollow tube molding space and a spiral fin molding space wound around the elongated hollow tube molding space; and providing a longitudinal flow path in at least a portion of a longitudinal length of the elongated tube molding space, the longitudinal flow path defining a concavity greater in depth than other portions of the elongated hollow tube molding space such that the liquid resin injected into the mold space flows in the longitudinal flow path to fill one or more ends of the hollow tube molding space.

A microcatheter configured to have a geometry that is movable along a tortuous anatomy of the patient; and be positionable, at least in part, proximate to biological tissue of a patient; and emit an information signal, related to the biological tissue, to a medical system so that the medical system, in use, receives the information signal from the microcatheter and processes, in use, the information signal received from the microcatheter.

A balloon embolization apparatus, system and method include a detachable balloon device mounted to the distal end of a catheter or microcatheter. The balloon device includes an elongated cannula having first and second axial lumens defined in the cannula, one lumen which allows for travel over a wire, an inflatable balloon disposed on the cannula, and a valve sleeve disposed between the balloon and the cannula. An inflation port on the cannula allows fluid to be introduced to the balloon via a channel in the catheter. The valve sleeve includes a vent offset from the inflation port in the cannula. The valve sleeve allows the introduced fluid to inflate the balloon, but prevents the fluid from escaping, thereby forming a check valve. Once inflated, the catheter is detached from the balloon apparatus. When the catheter is withdrawn, the balloon remains in place to allow for embolization.

A catheter, including a catheter tube defining: a proximal end; a distal end; a longitudinal axis; a lumen therethrough; and one or more zones having each having a cut pattern segment therein, wherein cut pattern segment defines a plurality of cuts spaced around a circumference of the tube. The distal end may include a tip segment having a plurality of helical segments extending around the longitudinal axis, wherein each helical segment includes two substantially parallel filars connected at distal ends thereof.