A hub defines a lumen with a longitudinal axis along the length of the hub. An outer surface of a distal portion of the hub tapers inwardly toward the longitudinal axis as the distal portion extends distally. A strain relief includes a proximal portion configured to receive the distal portion of the hub. The strain relief defines a lumen that substantially aligns with the hub lumen when the proximal portion receives the hub. The hub and/or strain relief are configured to be fixedly attached to a catheter body such that a catheter body lumen substantially aligns with the hub lumen and the strain relief lumen when the strain relief receives the distal portion of the hub. Outer surfaces of the strain relief and hub define substantially similar distances to the longitudinal axis along an interface between the two outer surfaces when the strain relief receives the hub.

A medical device configured to be flexible and maintain kink resistance while also reducing strain fractures. The medical device may include an elongate tubular shaft defining a lumen extending from a proximal portion to a distal portion. The elongate tubular shaft may comprise an outer jacket forming an outer surface of the elongate tubular shaft, a support member including at least one filament extending in a helical configuration along at least a portion of the a length of the elongate tubular shaft, and a strain relief layer comprising a material that has a modulus of elasticity less than a modulus of elasticity of the outer jacket, the strain relief layer positioned at least between adjacent windings of the support member. The strain relief layer and the support member may collectively form an inner surface of the elongate tubular shaft.

The present embodiments provide strain relief members for a medical device delivery system, methods of use thereof, and methods of manufacturing. In one embodiment a strain relief member may include a support having a first end with a first outer diameter, a second end having a second outer diameter, an inner surface facing a support lumen that extends axially through the support along a longitudinal axis, and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface. An embodiment may also include an overlay coupled to a portion of the outer surface of the support, where the overlay comprises a first material and the support comprises a second material, and the first material is more flexible than the second material. A liner may be disposed in a portion of the support lumen and a first connector disposed over a portion of the support.

An introducer sheath includes a tubular body configured to be percutaneously inserted into a body lumen and a hub that is connected to a proximal portion of the tubular body, wherein the tubular body contains a polyamide resin having a structural unit derived from a cyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon, and a wall thickness/inner diameter ratio of the tubular body is 1/14 or less, and a kink radius/outer diameter ratio of the tubular body is less than 10.

In an example, a catheter assembly includes a catheter body extending from a catheter proximal portion to a catheter distal portion having a distal tip. a coil proximate to the catheter distal portion, the coil having a first section and a second section, wherein the first section has a first imaging characteristic. The second section is swaged, and the second section of the coil has a second imaging characteristic. The second imaging characteristic differs from the first imaging characteristic, and the different first and second imaging characteristics are configured to contrast and emphasize visibility of the distal tip relative to the remainder of the catheter body. In another example, a second braided layer of the catheter body is configured to constrain and brace a first braided layer.

A hemostasis valve for use in a medical device. The hemostasis valve may include a generally cylindrical body having a proximal side, a distal side, and a thickness extending therebetween. The proximal side may include a tapered central region having a surface sloped towards a center of the body and the distal side may include a distally extending curved central region.

A balloon catheter and balloon system particularly useful with drug-coated balloons is described. In some embodiments, the balloon catheter system includes various features designed to address problems with drug rubbing off due to contract friction during delivery of the balloonincluding by utilizing a protective sleeve to shield the drug-coated balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon catheter system includes an inner high-pressure balloon and an outer drug-coated balloon to mitigate the time associated with performing vessel dilation.

A splittable sheath includes a splittable sheath body, a splittable sheath hub, and a valve element. The sheath body comprises a generally flexible tubular structure, a proximal end, and a distal end. The sheath body defines a longitudinal axis and is splittable into two halves along a pre-determined line generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. The sheath hub extends from the proximal end of the sheath body and defines a longitudinal axis generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the sheath body. The sheath body and sheath hub form an inner cavity along their respective longitudinal axes. The valve element includes a resilient plate and a sealing element. The resilient plate includes a distal portion extending radially inwardly from a side of the inner cavity. The sealing element includes a sealing surface and is supported by the resilient plate such that the sealing element is biased toward a position against a second sealing surface on at least one of the splittable sheath body and hub to substantially seal the inner cavity.

A balloon catheter and balloon system particularly useful with drug-coated balloons is described. In some embodiments, the balloon catheter system includes various features designed to address problems with drug rubbing off due to contract friction during delivery of the balloonincluding by utilizing a protective sleeve to shield the drug-coated balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon catheter system includes an inner high-pressure balloon and an outer drug-coated balloon to mitigate the time associated with performing vessel dilation.

Use of embolic material that is biodegradable provides for embolizing a hypervascular vessel formed in response to chronic inflammation in a musculoskeletal vasculature or a vessel related to production of ghrelin. The embolic material is biodegradable within a predetermined period of time. Medical systems are configured for delivery of embolic material for embolizing the hypervascular vessel or the vessel related to production of ghrelin.