Abstract: A system, for use with a leaflet of a valve of a subject's heart, comprises a catheter, a cutting device, a helical needle, and a suture. The catheter is transluminally advanceable toward the heart. The cutting device is advanceable distally out of the catheter, and is adapted to cut through tissue of the leaflet to form cut tissue and cut edges at the cardiac valve. The helical needle defines a helical lumen, the helical needle configured to be advanced distally out of the catheter and to rotationally extend through, and secure together, two tissue segments of the leaflet. The suture extends through the helical lumen of the helical needle. The helical needle and the suture are configured to extend along the two tissue segments of the leaflet to suture the two tissue segments to each other. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method of repairing a mitral valve of a heart of a subject comprises positioning an elongate support of an implant at the heart such that the support is aligned with a coronary sinus of the heart. A first anchor of the implant is anchored to a first location on an anterior side of the valve, such that a first tether-segment of the implant spans across the valve between the first anchor and a first end of the support. A second anchor of the implant is anchored to a second location on the anterior side of the valve, such that a second tether-segment of the implant spans across the valve between the second anchor and a second end of the support. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A delivery system includes a handle, a catheter shaft, and a steering mechanism. The catheter shaft extends from the handle to a flexible distal end portion. The steering mechanism is configured to steer the flexible distal end portion. The steering mechanism can include a steering element a control member, and one or more actuation elements. Actuating the control member can move the steering element to increase and/or decrease tension in one or more actuation elements.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use with a tissue anchor and an anchor driver. The apparatus includes a housing, shaped to define a channel. The channel includes (i) an anchor-storage zone, and (ii) a proximal opening configured to provide access for the anchor driver to the anchor-storage zone. The channel is configured to enable sliding of the tissue anchor therewithin to be stored in the anchor-storage zone. The apparatus also includes a retaining member, shaped to define a cradle for cradling and holding the tissue anchor in the anchor-storage zone. The retaining member includes a pillar pivotable with respect to the cradle, and configured to support the tissue anchor at the cradle. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An attachment mechanism is used to attach a component to a particular location on a tube in a blood sampling-blood pressure monitoring system by a user. The attachment mechanism may include a piercing feature. The piercing feature may be used to pierce the tube to attach the component to the particular location on the tube of the blood sampling-blood pressure monitoring system selected by the user.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-port control valve with multi-lumen paths diverging flow so that, the multi-port control valve fills and expels fluid at the same time through the same port for use in a blood sampling, blood pressure monitoring system that includes a sampling site, a pressure transducer, and reservoir. The multi-port control valve may include a rotatable valve member and three ports. Each of the three ports is connected to one of the sampling site, the pressure transducer, and the reservoir. In particular, the rotatable valve member is rotatable, such that, depending upon a position of the rotatable valve member, one of the three ports is blocked from fluid communication with the other two ports.

Abstract: Disclosed is an adapter for use with a multi-port control valve that is used in a blood sampling, blood pressure monitoring system that includes a sampling site, a pressure transducer, and a reservoir. The multi-port control valve includes a partition and a rotatable valve member that rotates around to one of a reservoir port, a sampling site port, or a pressure transducer port to block fluid communication. The adapter comprises: a partition to define an input fluid path and an output fluid path, wherein the partition of the adapter mates with the partition of the multi-port control valve and a partition of the reservoir, in which, the partition in the adapter mates with the partition in the reservoir such that a fluid circuit is created from the multi-port control valve, through the adapter, and through the reservoir, and back to the multi-port control valve.

Abstract: Disclosed is an attachment mechanism that may be used to attach a component to a particular location on a tube in a blood sampling-blood pressure monitoring system by a user. The attachment mechanism may include a piercing feature. The piercing feature may be used to pierce the tube to attach the component to the particular location on the tube of the blood sampling-blood pressure monitoring system selected by the user.

Abstract: Disclosed is an adapter for use with a multi-port control valve that is used in a blood sampling, blood pressure monitoring system that includes a sampling site, a pressure transducer, and a reservoir. The multi-port control valve includes a partition and a rotatable valve member that rotates around to one of a reservoir port, a sampling site port, or a pressure transducer port to block fluid communication. The adapter comprises: a partition to define an input fluid path and an output fluid path, wherein the partition of the adapter mates with the partition of the multi-port control valve and a partition of the reservoir, in which, the partition in the adapter mates with the partition in the reservoir such that a fluid circuit is created from the multi-port control valve, through the adapter, and through the reservoir, and back to the multi-port control valve.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-port control valve with multi-lumen paths diverging flow so that, the multi-port control valve fills and expels fluid at the same time through the same port for use in a blood sampling, blood pressure monitoring system that includes a sampling site, a pressure transducer, and reservoir. The multi-port control valve may include a rotatable valve member and three ports. Each of the three ports is connected to one of the sampling site, the pressure transducer, and the reservoir. In particular, the rotatable valve member is rotatable, such that, depending upon a position of the rotatable valve member, one of the three ports is blocked from fluid communication with the other two ports.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-port control valve with multi-lumen paths diverging flow so that, the multi-port control valve fills and expels fluid at the same time through the same port for use in a blood sampling, blood pressure monitoring system that includes a sampling site, a pressure transducer, and reservoir. The multi-port control valve may include a rotatable valve member and three ports. Each of the three ports is connected to one of the sampling site, the pressure transducer, and the reservoir. In particular, the rotatable valve member is rotatable, such that, depending upon a position of the rotatable valve member, one of the three ports is blocked from fluid communication with the other two ports.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-port control valve with multi-lumen paths diverging flow so that, the multi-port control valve fills and expels fluid at the same time through the same port for use in a blood sampling, blood pressure monitoring system that includes a sampling site, a pressure transducer, and reservoir. The multi-port control valve may include a rotatable valve member and three ports. Each of the three ports is connected to one of the sampling site, the pressure transducer, and the reservoir. In particular, the rotatable valve member is rotatable, such that, depending upon a position of the rotatable valve member, one of the three ports is blocked from fluid communication with the other two ports.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-port control valve with multi-lumen paths diverging flow so that, the multi-port control valve fills and expels fluid at the same time through the same port for use in a blood sampling, blood pressure monitoring system that includes a sampling site, a pressure transducer, and reservoir. The multi-port control valve may include a rotatable valve member and three ports. Each of the three ports is connected to one of the sampling site, the pressure transducer, and the reservoir. In particular, the rotatable valve member is rotatable, such that, depending upon a position of the rotatable valve member, one of the three ports is blocked from fluid communication with the other two ports.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure monitoring system for a patient that may include a measurement site, a tube, and a pressure transducer, in which, the tube is coupled between the measurement site of the patient and the pressure transducer and the tube contains a fluid for pressure measurement by the pressure transducer from the measurement site. The tube may comprise: a first tubing portion that includes an outer diameter and a plurality of inner diameters and that has a first tensile modulus, in which, the plurality of inner diameters of the first tubing portion form a plurality of fluid paths to contain the fluid; and, a second tubing portion, in which, the first and second tubing portions are coupled together to form the tube and the second tubing portion extends longitudinally with the first tubing portion in a continuous or intermittent manner.

Abstract: The MRSA Decolonization Kit, or MDK, is a unique process available in a single kit to eliminate MRSA from individuals who have recently suffered an invasive infection from the potentially deadly bacteria and strengthen their body's ability to prevent recurrent infection. The kit provides patients with everything they need to remove MRSA from their skin flora and replace it with a far less dangerous bacteria, Staphylococcus Epidermidis. The kit has detailed instructions on using the bactericidal ointments and cleansers followed by the application of Sepiderm Lotion that contains viable, healthy Staphylococcus Epidermidis. It also includes detailed instructions on ridding the home environment of the dangerous bacteria as well as the vital component of personal hygiene to minimize repeat contamination with the bacteria.

Abstract: A thermally activated device for perfuming the air immediately surrounding an operating electronic computer monitor, including a thermally conductive receptacle adapted to contain therein a thermally activated fragrance material and further adapted to be affixed over and proximate to the waste heat cooling vents of an electronic computer monitor, and a removable receptacle lid cooperating with the receptacle to retain the fragrance material therein. The receptacle includes a heat absorbing base and a closed peripheral sidewall permanently attached thereto. Preferably, the base exterior bottom surface of the base features lateral rectilinear or curvilinear serriform fins to increase thermal absorption of the waste heated air exiting the computer monitor via the cooling vents to the base exterior bottom surface of the thermally conductive receptacle; the receptacle is adapted for placement against the cooling vent by two-sided adhesive mounting pads or hooks and loops fasteners, such as Velcro® strips.