INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

A wide variety of intravascular medical devices are known. Improved systems, devices, and methods that facilitate better control, positioning, and usability of medical devices are needed.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One aspect of the disclosure is an intravascular catheter and medical tool, comprising: an outer shaft coupled to a handle assembly at a proximal end region of the outer shaft; an inner shaft disposed within the outer shaft, the inner shaft coupled to the handle assembly at a proximal end region of the inner shaft, the handle including a first handle actuator in operable communication with the outer shaft such that actuation of the first handle actuator relative to a second handle actuator rotates the outer shaft relative to the inner shaft, the second handle actuator being in operable communication with the inner shaft such that actuation of the second handle actuator deflects the inner shaft.

A medical tool may be secured to a distal end of the outer shaft.

The inner shaft may be coupled to the handle through at least one tensioning element. Actuation of the second actuator may apply a tensile force on the tensioning element to deflect the inner shaft. A tensioning element may be connected to a deflection portion of the inner shaft.

The outer shaft and the inner shaft may be co-axial.

The outer shaft and the inner shaft may be sized, configured, and adapted to be moved axially relative to each other.

Distal ends of the inner shaft and outer shaft may not be axially affixed and the outer and inner shafts may be moved axially relative to one another.

The inner shaft may comprise a deflection portion in which the inner shaft is adapted to deflect when the second actuator is actuated, wherein the deflection portion may be more flexible than a proximal portion of the inner shaft that is disposed proximal to the deflection portion. A deflection portion may be formed of a polymeric material of lower durometer than is in the proximal portion. A deflection portion may comprise a weakened sidewall adapted for deflection.

The inner shaft may comprise an outer layer and an inner layer of braided materials

The outer shaft may be coupled to a tip portion. A tip may include an imaging element. A tip may include an ultrasound transducer. A tip may include an ablation element (e.g., ablation electrode). A tip may include a structural heart device (e.g., an occluding device, a stent, a valve).

The outer shaft may have at least first and second sections axially spaced that have varying stiffness (e.g., different durometer), and the varying stiffness provide for selectively controlling at least one of the following: position of the deflected section of the device relative to a distal end of the device, and degree of curvature of the device when the device is deflected.

The first actuator may also be in operable communication with the outer shaft such that actuation of the first actuator axially moves the outer shaft relative to the inner shaft.

The first actuator may be configured and adapted to be rotated to cause rotation of the outer shaft relative to the inner shaft.

The first actuator may be configured and adapted to be axially displaced to cause axial movement of the outer shaft relative to the inner shaft.

The inner shaft and outer shaft may be disposed such that deflection of the inner shaft causes deflection of the outer shaft due to the relative positions of the outer and inner shafts.

The outer shaft may comprise a distal portion including at least a portion of a medical tool, and wherein the medical tool is encased within a material, optionally a flexible material such as a polymeric material (e.g., PEBAX).

The outer shaft may be coupled to a distal portion, the distal portion including at least a portion of a medical tool.

The outer shaft may be coupled to a distal portion, the distal portion including at least a portion of a medical tool, the medical tool including at least one electrical connector extending axially within the outer shaft.

The outer shaft may be flexible and optionally includes a braided material.

The outer shaft may be coupled to a distal portion (e.g., with adhesive or otherwise permanently attached), the distal portion including at least a portion of a medical tool, and wherein the outer shaft and the distal portion have the same outer dimension where they are coupled, and optionally have the same maximum outer dimension.

A medical tool disposed in a distal tip region may include at least one electrical connection (and optionally an electrical cable bundle) extending axially within at least a portion of the inner shaft, and freely axially moveable within the inner shaft.

A distal end of the outer shaft may extend further distally than a distal end of the inner shaft.

The inner shaft may comprise a deflectable section near a distal end of the inner shaft.

The inner shaft may comprise at least one axially extending tensioning member or element, such as at least one pull wire.

The inner shaft may include first and second axially extending tensioning members, such as pull wires.

The inner shaft may comprise first and second axially extending tensioning members, such as pull wires, wherein in a deflecting section of the inner shaft the first and second axially extending tensioning members are less than 180 degrees apart around the inner shaft, optionally, less than 135 degrees, optionally, less than 90 degrees, optionally less than 45 degrees, optionally less than 30 degrees, optionally less than 20 degrees, optionally less than 10 degrees.

The inner shaft may include first and second axially extending tensioning members, such as pull wires, wherein in a portion of the inner shaft proximal to a steerable section, the first and second axially extending tensioning members diverge from one another and are 180 degrees (+/−5 degrees) apart from one another around the inner shaft.

The inner shaft may comprise a third axially extending member that is adapted to straighten the inner shaft after it has been deflected.

Any axially extending tensioning members (e.g., pull wires) may be interwoven within braided material in the inner shaft.

Any axially extending tensioning members (e.g., pull wires) may have distal regions that are interwoven within braided material in the inner shaft to at least help secure the distal ends of the axially extending tensioning members, and optionally wherein the distal ends are interwoven and the tensioning members extend more orthogonally to a longitudinal axis than in a steerable section of the elongate inner body, and optionally wrap around the inner shaft at least one revolution around the inner shaft.

The device may be adapted such that any type of relative movement of the outer shaft and the inner shaft can occur before, during, or after any type of movement of the other of the outer shaft and the inner shaft, wherein the movements can optionally be facilitated by actuation of one or both of the actuators.

The device may not include a flush line.

One aspect of the disclosure is a method of controlling a catheter device, comprising: moving an outer shaft of a catheter device relative to an inner shaft of the catheter device, in at least one of axial movement and rotational movement; and deflecting the inner shaft to cause deflection of the catheter.

The moving step may be performed by actuating a first handle actuator.

The deflecting step may be performed by actuating a second handle actuator.

Axially moving the outer shaft relative to the inner shaft may selectively control at least one of the following: a position of a deflected section of the device relative to a distal end of the device, and degree of curvature of the device in the deflected section (e.g., bend angle).

One aspect of the disclosure is a steerable elongate body, comprising: a shaft comprising braided material; at least one tensioning member (e.g., a pull wire), wherein a distal region of the tensioning member is interwoven in the braided material to help secure a distal end of the at least one tensioning member at a location of the steerable elongate body.

The at least one tensioning member may have a distal region that is more orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the steerable elongate body than it is in a deflectable section, optionally between 0 degrees and at least 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis.

At least one tensioning member may be parallel to the longitudinal axis in at least a portion of the deflectable section.

The steerable elongate body may not include an adhesive or marker band to help secure a distal end of the at least one tensioning member.

Interweaving the distal region may allow the distal end of the tensioning member to be secure without a need for an adhesive or marker band.

One aspect of the disclosure is a steerable medical member, comprising: a deflectable elongate body with a deflectable section, the deflectable elongate body comprising first and second tensioning members (e.g., pull wires), wherein in the deflectable section the first and second tensioning members are closer together (in degrees) than in a proximal section proximal to the deflectable section.

The first and second tensioning members may be less than 180 degrees apart in the deflectable section, optionally less than 135 degrees apart, optionally less than 90 degrees apart, optionally less than 45 degrees apart, optionally less than 40 degrees apart, optionally less than 35 degrees apart, optionally less than 30 degrees apart, optionally less than 25 degrees apart, optionally less than 20 degrees apart, optionally less than 15 degrees apart, optionally less than 10 degrees apart.

The first and second tensioning members may be 180 degrees apart in the proximal section that is proximal to the deflectable section.

The first and second tensioning members may be closer together (in degrees) in a second proximal section that is proximal to the proximal section.

One aspect of the disclosure is a handle stabilization member, comprising: a handle guide region with a configuration that is adapted to interface with a handle of a medical device; a patient interface region configured to interface with a portion of a patient (including garments worn by the patient so that direct contact with the skin does not occur); and an optional stabilization assist portion that is weighted to further stabilize the stabilization member relative to the patient.

A handle guide region may at an end of the handle stabilization member.

An optional stabilization assist may be at an end of the handle stabilization member.

A patient interface region may be deformable.

A patient interface region may be rigid.

A handle guide may be more rigid than the patient interface.

A handle guide and a patient interface may be made from different materials.

A handle guide can have a curved configuration, such as U-shaped or C-shaped.

A handle guide may have at least one flat surface.

