An introducer set (1) for providing vascular access in a patient's body comprises an introducer sheath (10) and a dilator (20). The introducer sheath (10) has a tubular body (11) made of flexible material with a distal portion (12), a proximal portion (13) and an inner surface, the proximal portion (13) being configured to be inserted into a patients vessel to allow a medical device (100) to be inserted through the introducer sheath (10) into the patient's vessel. At least one of the dilator (20) and the introducer sheath (10) comprises a stiffening structure (25) imparting stiffness to the tubular body (11) of the introducer sheath (10), wherein said stiffening structure (25) can be released, removed or otherwise deactivated.

An introducer sheath is disclosed, which includes a tube body that is percutaneously inserted into a body lumen; and a hub that is connected to a proximal portion of the tube body. The tube body contains a polyvinylidene fluoride resin, a ratio of a thickness to an inner diameter of the tube body is 1/16 or lower, and a ration of a kink radius to an outer diameter of the tube body is 9.5 or lower.

A detachable cooling apparatus comprises: a distal miming catheter forming a distal lumen that provides liquid as an input and a proximal miming catheter forming a proximal lumen that receives the liquid as an output, where the proximal miming catheter is connected to the distal running catheter. A focal hypothermia-inducing fluidics system comprises a thermal management and flow system (TMFS) that is operable to alter a liquid to a specific temperature and to regulate a flow rate, a closed-circuit flow system with a detachable cooling apparatus, a distal sensor array, a pump for moving the liquid through the TMFS, an inflow port that receives the liquid from the proximal running catheter, a plurality of capillary tubes that cool the liquid, and an outflow port that returns the liquid to the distal miming catheter.

A catheter assembly including a multi-luminal catheter, a primary stylet, and a secondary stylet. The primary stylet and the secondary stylet are each inserted into separate lumens extending along the catheter tube. The primary stylet includes a magnetic region to enable magnetic tracking. The secondary stylet is configured to prevent buckling of the magnetic region during insertion. The secondary stylet includes a proximal section having a proximal column strength and a distal section having a distal column strength greater than the proximal column strength. During use, an insertion force exceeding an insertion force limit causes the proximal section to buckle to prevent buckling of the distal section. The primary stylet may also include electrical sensors and/or an optical fiber configured for shape sensing.

An introducer may include a layered tubular member having an inner liner including at least one folded portion extending along a distal region of the inner liner in a delivery configuration; a reinforcing member disposed over at least a portion of the inner liner, the reinforcing member including a plurality of longitudinal spines defining a plurality of openings disposed between adjacent longitudinal spines, wherein each folded portion is circumferentially overlapped by one of the plurality of openings; and an outer sheath disposed over the reinforcing member, wherein the outer sheath includes at least one perforation circumferentially overlapping each folded portion; and a tip member fixedly attached to a tapered distal region of the layered tubular member. The inner liner may extend to a distal end of the layered tubular member. At least a portion of each folded portion may terminate proximal of the distal end of the layered tubular member.

A delivery device can be provided with a low outer profile and high flexibility for navigating tortuous anatomy. An inner lumen defined by a shaft of the delivery device provides adequate space for delivery devices to target anatomy. Additionally, the delivery device maintains the patency of its lumen even when positioned within tortuous anatomy. The turns of filar(s) forming a coil of the shaft adjust their axial spacing relative to each other to avoiding buckling that would otherwise result in a narrowing of the inner lumen.

A vascular access system comprising a sheath, a slitted sleeve, and a sealing portion of the slitted sleeve. The slitted sleeve comprises a tubular sleeve body having a longitudinal slit along its length, wherein the slitted sleeve is adapted to receive a first portion of a medical device therein. The longitudinal slit closes, but does not seal, after the first portion of the medical device is inserted therein. The sealing portion of the slitted sleeve is configured to fill a gap and form a seal between an inner surface of the sheath and a portion of the first portion of the medical device disposed in the sheath when the sheath is inserted in the blood vessel and the slitted sleeve is inserted into the sheath lumen. A vascular access device accessory and a method for inserting it into a sheath are also provided.

A catheter for transcutaneous and transluminal vacuum closure of perianal or entero-cutaneous fistulas and abscesses containing a body ending in a dome having a low-friction surface and equipped with a series of openings on the surface that connect inside the catheter body into a catheter chamber, which is then connected to a tube connected to a vacuum generating system characterized in that the catheter body on the outside has edges arranged in the shape of many helicoid coils, and in the grooves between these coils the series of openings are made into the chamber inside the catheter.

A catheter may include an elongate body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and defining a lumen; a push member mechanically coupled to the proximal end of the elongate body; and a slidable push grip disposed about an outer perimeter of the push member. The slidable push grip is controllably engageable with the push member. When the slidable push grip is in an engaged state with the push member, the slidable push grip transmits an axial force to the push member to enable the push member to transmit the axial force to the elongate body. When the slidable push grip is in a disengaged state with the push member, the slidable push grip is movable axially in at least one direction along a length of the push member while transmitting substantially no axial force to the push member.

Devices and methods are disclosed for the treatment or repair of regurgitant cardiac valves, such as a mitral valve. An annuloplasty device can be placed in the coronary sinus to reshape the mitral valve and reduce mitral valve regurgitation. A protective device can be placed between the annuloplasty device and an underlying coronary artery to inhibit compression of the underlying coronary artery by the annuloplasty device in the coronary sinus. In addition, the protective device can inhibit compression of the coronary artery from inside the heart, such as from a prosthetic mitral valve that exerts radially outward pressure toward the coronary artery. The annuloplasty device can also create an artificial inner ridge or retaining feature projecting into the native mitral valve region to help secure a prosthetic mitral valve.