A transformable catheter includes a sheath having a length which is a substantial fraction of the entire length of the transformable catheter and a bore therethrough. A preformed inner catheter having a complex curve formed into the distal end thereof is disposed in the sheath bore. By axially moving the inner catheter with respect to the sheath, various tip shapes may be achieved. At least one wire runs from the proximal end of the sheath to the vicinity of the distal end of the sheath to selectively deflect the distal tip of the sheath as desired by the user to assist in reformation and transformation of the tip of the catheter. By suitable manipulation of the wire and of the inner catheter with respect to the sheath, the shape of the exposed portion of the distal end of the inner catheter may be transformed to any of a variety of shapes.

A transformable catheter includes a sheath having a length which is a substantial fraction of the entire length of the transformable catheter and a bore therethrough. A preformed inner catheter having a complex curve formed into the distal end thereof is disposed in the sheath bore. By axially moving the inner catheter with respect to the sheath, various tip shapes may be achieved. At least one wire runs from the proximal end of the sheath to the vicinity of the distal end of the sheath to selectively deflect the distal tip of the sheath as desired by the user to assist in reformation and transformation of the tip of the catheter. By suitable manipulation of the wire and of the inner catheter with respect to the sheath, the shape of the exposed portion of the distal end of the inner catheter may be transformed to any of a variety of shapes.

A stylet unit which can be introduced into a narrow, hollow, flexible component, such as a hollow electrode cable for a heart stimulator, to stiffen the component and bend its distal end section, is in the form of a double stylet combination with a flexible stylet shell and an internal stylet, movably arranged inside the shell, with a pre-curved distal end section, whose radius of curvature is on a first side of the stylet. In an area before the pre-curved end section, the stylet has a pre-shaped stylet section with a pre-shaped stylet section whose radius of curvature is on the side of the stylet opposite the first side on which the end section's radius of curvature lies.

In an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument assembly, an elongate tubular instrument guide is inserted into a biopsy channel of an endoscope or laparoscope. The tubular instrument guide is provided with a distal end portion having a spring bias tending to form the distal end portion into an arcuate configuration. The tubular instrument guide is longitudinally slidable in the biopsy channel, whereby the distal end portion may be alternately maintained in a relatively straightened configuration in a distal end of the biopsy channel and moved outside of the biopsy channel to assume the arcuate configuration. An elongate flexible endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument is slidably inserted into the tubular instrument guide so that an operative tip at a distal end of the instrument may project outwardly from the distal end portion upon an ejection of at least a part of the distal end portion of the tubular instrument guide from the biopsy channel.

A coronary sinus catheter introducer system in which an introducer is installed in the right atrium of the cardiovascular system of a patient for delivery of a coronary sinus catheter into the coronary sinus. A bend near the distal end of the introducer enables placement of the end of the introducer into the coronary sinus opening and within the coronary sinus. A soft pliable tip end provided on the introducer minimizes abrasion of the coronary sinus and its opening by the introducer.