Greatbatch Ltd.

Enpath Medical, Inc.

Medamicus, Inc.

Brian Honebrink

Brian G Fischer

Greg Pudelko

Mark C Kraus

Eugene J Champeau

A method for making a deflectable catheter includes positioning a flexible element along a catheter liner. A flexible element distal portion extends along at least a portion of a deflectable distal end portion of the catheter liner. At least one anchor is engaged to the flexible element distal portion. The flexible element resides radially between the catheter liner and a band extending at least part way around a perimeter of the liner. An encapsulant, positioned around at least the flexible element distal portion, forms at least a portion of a sidewall of the deflectable distal end portion of the liner. The anchor and band are within the sidewall so that the encapsulant transmits pushing and pulling forces from the at least one anchor to the deflectable distal end portion of the liner.

Push/pull wire anchor

A catheter assembly includes a handle assembly, and a catheter body coupled with the handle assembly, where the catheter body extends to a deflectable distal end portion, and the deflectable distal end is controllable by a flexible element. A lever actuator member is operatively coupled with the flexible element, and movement of the actuator member provides for movement of the flexible element.

Articulating handle for a deflectable catheter and method therefor

A catheter assembly includes a catheter body that extends from a distal end to a proximal end. The catheter body includes a delivery lumen, and an actuator lumen, where the actuator lumen extends from a position near or at the distal end to an intermediate portion that does not extend through the proximal end of the catheter body. The catheter body optionally includes an accessory lumen that extends from at or near the distal end and terminates at an intermediate portion that does not extend through the proximal end surface of the catheter body, for example, on a side wall.

Catheter assembly with side wall exit lumen and method therefor

A method for making a deflectable catheter includes positioning a flexible element along a catheter liner. A flexible element distal portion extends along at least a portion of a deflectable distal end portion of the catheter liner. At least one anchor is engaged to the flexible element distal portion. The anchor extends at least part way around the flexible element distal portion. An encapsulant is positioned around at least the flexible element distal portion and the deflectable distal end portion. The method further includes squeezing the encapsulant around the flexible element distal portion and the anchor, wherein the encapsulant forms at least a portion of a sidewall of the deflectable distal end portion and at least the anchor is within the sidewall, and the encapsulant is adapted to transmit pushing and pulling forces from the at least one anchor to the deflectable distal end portion, and the tension strength and compression strength of the flexible element and the at least one anchor are at least as strong as the encapsulant tension strength and compression strength.

A catheter assembly includes a catheter body extending from a deflectable distal end to a proximal end, and the catheter body includes an actuator lumen. A housing is engaged to the proximal end of the catheter body. A flexible element extends from the housing through the actuator lumen to the deflectable distal end. The deflectable distal end is deflected by pushing and pulling of the flexible element. An actuator is movably coupled with the housing and connected to the flexible element. A tubular support is engaged around the flexible element and connected to the actuator, the tubular support moves with the actuator, and the tubular support substantially constrains lateral movement of the flexible element. The tubular support is telescopically received and engaged with an inner surface of the actuator lumen. The inner surface of the actuator lumen substantially constrains lateral movement of the tubular support and the flexible element.

Bi-directional catheter assembly and method therefor

A catheter assembly includes a catheter body and housing attached to the catheter body proximal end, where an actuator lumen extends through the catheter body. A flexible element extends from an actuator member within the housing through the actuator lumen to a deflectable distal end. A first tubular support is provided that is coupled to the flexible element. A second tubular support is coupled with the first tubular support and slidably coupled to the flexible element. In one option, the first tubular support and second tubular support constrain lateral movement of the flexible element when the catheter assembly is operated.

A deflectable catheter includes a flexible element includes a flexible element, and at least one skirt extending at least part way around the flexible element. An encapsulant is coupled between the skirt and a deflectable distal end portion of the deflectable catheter. The encapsulant is adapted to transmit pushing and pulling forces from the skirt to the deflectable distal end portion.

Push-pull wire anchor

An introducing apparatus includes an elongate tubular sheath having an external diameter small enough to be readily insertable in a selected vein. The sheath has a bore which receives therein a dilator such that a distal end of the dilator projects from out from the distal end of the sheath. A rotatable fastener is rotatably coupled with the dilator, and couples the sheath with the dilator and prevents axial movement therebetween. An anti-rotation member is associated with the dilator and/or the sheath, which prevents the dilator from rotating relative to the sheath as the rotatable fastener is rotated, and also included are means which allow a user to overcome the anti-rotation features without damage to or inadvertent separation the sheath.

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Stillwater, MN, United States of America

Brian Honebrink