Deflectable guide

Abstract

Described herein are devices and methods for guide catheters having one or more regions of increased flexibility. A flexibility region comprises one tubular segment of the guide catheter with a non-linear longitudinal seam between two non-concentric layers of material having different durometers. A non-linear seam, such as a zig-zag or sinusoidal configuration, permits controlled compression of lower durometer material between portions of higher durometer material.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method for treating a patient, comprising:
 providing a catheter having a lower durometer region comprising at least one compressible portion and a greater durometer region comprising at least two constricting portions in an alternating configuration with the last least one compressible portion;   bending the catheter such that the at least two constricting portions of the higher durometer region compresses the at least one compressible portion of the lower durometer region; and   passing a tubular body down a passageway of the catheter.   
     
     
         17 . A system for treating a patient, comprising:
 a guide catheter comprising a longitudinal axis, a guide lumen, and at least one deformation zone, the at least one deformation zone comprising two segments of polymeric material of different durometers and a longitudinal interface therebetween with respect to the longitudinal axis of the guide catheter;   a tunnel catheter comprising a tubular body with a tunnel lumen, wherein the tubular body is configured for insertion into the guide lumen of the guide catheter; and   a delivery catheter comprising an anchor retaining cavity and an anchor delivery mechanism, wherein the delivery catheter is configured for insertion into the tunnel lumen of the tunnel catheter.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the tubular body of the tunnel catheter further comprises a plurality of delivery apertures in communication with the tunnel lumen. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the longitudinal configuration between the two segments of polymeric material comprises a reciprocating longitudinal configuration. 
     
     
         20 . A method for accessing a cardiac region of a patient, comprising:
 providing a steerable guide catheter comprising two polymeric materials forming a longitudinal interface therebetween, where the two polymeric materials comprise a first polymeric material having a first durometer and a second polymeric material having second durometer greater than the first durometer;   passing the steerable guide catheter through a cardiac valve orifice;   compressing the first polymeric material with the second polymeric material about the longitudinal interface; and   steering the steerable guide catheter into a subvalvular region adjacent the cardiac valve orifice.