Abstract: An exemplary valve repair device for repairing a valve of a patient has a paddle, and a clasp. The clasp has a fixed arm attached to the paddle and a moveable arm. The moveable arm includes barbs that are spaced apart from a connection between the moveable arm and the fixed arm. The moveable arm is movable between open and closed positions relative to the fixed arm. The moveable arm has a weakened portion between the barbs and the connection between the moveable arm and the fixed arm. Applying tension to the movable arm in a retraction direction stretches the moveable arm and moves the barbs in the retraction direction.

Abstract: A stabilizing apparatus for a transcatheter delivery system includes a housing having an aperture to receive the transcatheter delivery system. An engagement member is disposed in the housing. A biasing element urges the engagement member against a surface of the transcatheter delivery system when the transcatheter delivery system is placed in the housing.

Abstract: An exemplary valve repair device for repairing a native valve of a patient includes a coaption element and a pair of paddles. The coaption element and/or the pair of paddles can be made from a fabric, such as a braided metal fabric. The pair of paddles are connected to the coaption element. The paddles are movable between an open position and a closed position. The valve repair device is configured to attach to the native valve of the patient.

Abstract: This application describes a unique air filter engagement apparatus and related methods. The invention allows a user to easily replace an air filter using a unique engagement apparatus in addition to an apparatus on the filter itself. This apparatus along with the specific methods of use allow a user to replace air filters quickly and efficiently in often inaccessible or hard to reach areas.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a delivery apparatus for a prosthetic heart valve. Disclosed delivery apparatuses can include a housing, a steerable shaft, a slide nut, and a threaded shaft disposed over the slide nut. The slide nut can have an external threaded surface and an internal surface comprising a slot. The threaded shaft can have an internal threaded surface engaging the external threaded surface of the slide nut. The delivery apparatus can further include an elongated nut guide extending into the slot of the nut to restrain the slide nut against rotation relative to the housing, and a pull wire having a proximal end portion extending into the housing and coupled to the slide nut, and a distal end portion coupled to a distal end portion of the steerable shaft. The threaded shaft can be rotatable relative to the housing to produce axial movement of the slide nut within the threaded shaft.

Abstract: In an exemplary method of implanting a valve repair device on a mitral valve of a patient, first and second clasps of the valve repair device are closed to grasp the leaflets of the mitral valve. First and second paddles of the valve repair device are closed to bring the leaflets of the mitral valve into contact with a coaptation or coaption element.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an introducer device and methods for introducing a medical device into a patient's vasculature. In one embodiment, a method of using an introducer device including a housing, a hemostatic seal mounted within the housing, and a tube extending into the housing and movable longitudinally relative to the hemostatic seal between a proximal position and a distal position, includes moving the tube to the distal position such that the distal end of the tube extends through the hemostatic seal. The method further includes inserting a distal end portion of the medical device through the tube and into the patient's vasculature without contacting the hemostatic seal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a delivery apparatus for a prosthetic heart valve. Disclosed steerable catheters can include a handle, a steerable shaft extending from the handle, and a pull wire. The shaft can include a main lumen, an inner polymeric layer surrounding the main lumen, a braided layer surrounding the inner polymeric layer, and an outer polymeric layer surrounding the braided layer, the outer polymeric layer defining a pull wire lumen. The pull wire can extend from the handle and through the pull wire lumen and can have a distal end portion coupled to a distal end portion of the shaft.

Abstract: An exemplary implantable prosthetic device has a coaption element and a pair of paddles. The coaption element has a first end portion and a second end portion. The pair of paddles is connected to the second end portion of the coaption element. The coaption element narrows as the copation element extends from the first end portion to the second end portion. The paddles are movable between an open position and a closed position. The paddles are configured to attach to the native valve of the patient.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a delivery apparatus for a prosthetic heart valve. Disclosed delivery apparatuses can include a handle, a first shaft extending from the handle, a second shaft disposed around the first shaft, and a valve cover. The valve cover can be coupled to a distal end portion of the first shaft and can be configured to house a prosthetic heart valve in a radially compressed state. The valve cover can have an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the second shaft, and the first shaft and valve cover can be movable together in an axial direction relative to the second shaft.

Abstract: An exemplary valve repair device for repairing a native valve of a patient has a paddle frame, an inner paddle, and an outer paddle. The outer paddle is connected to the inner paddle. The inner and outer paddles are connected to the paddle frame at a connection between the inner paddle and the outer paddle. A portion of the inner paddle is moveable away from a portion of the outer paddle to open the inner and outer paddles.

Abstract: In a representative embodiment, an implantable assembly for a native heart valve comprises a prosthetic heart valve and first and second inflatable bodies. The prosthetic heart valve can comprise a frame and prosthetic leaflets. The first inflatable body can comprise first and second end portions, wherein the first end portion is configured to be secured to tissue of the native heart valve at a first location, and the second end portion is configured to engage an outer surface of the prosthetic valve. The second inflatable body can comprise third and fourth end portions, wherein the third end portion is configured to be secured to tissue of the native heart valve at a second location, and the fourth end portion is configured to engage the outer surface of the prosthetic valve. The first and second inflatable bodies anchor the prosthetic valve within the annulus of the native heart valve.

Abstract: A delivery system includes an elongate shaft, a handle, a first clasp control member, and a second clasp control member. The handle is connected to a proximal portion of the elongate shaft. The first and second clasp control members each extend into a distal portion of the elongate shaft, through at least a portion of the elongate shaft, out of the proximal portion of the elongate shaft, and through the handle. The first and second clasp control members have paths that include a first parallel portion in the elongate shaft where the first clasp control member and the second clasp control member are parallel, and a diverging portion that is proximal to the first parallel portion where the first clasp control member diverges from the second clasp control member.

Abstract: An assembly for delivering a prosthetic heart valve to a native heart valve is disclosed. The assembly includes a self-expanding prosthetic heart valve formed with an expandable metallic stent and a flexible valvular structure. The assembly also includes a delivery apparatus having a delivery sleeve. The delivery sleeve includes a selectively steerable section and a distal portion for retaining the prosthetic heart valve in a compressed state. A handle is coupled to a proximal end of the delivery sleeve and a pull wire extends from the handle to the steerable section of the delivery sleeve. The handle preferably includes a rotatable portion for actuating the pull wire and thereby selectively controlling a curvature of the steerable section during advancement through the patient's vasculature. In preferred embodiments, the steerable section includes a flexible metallic tubular portion formed with a plurality of circumferentially extending openings.

Abstract: A stabilizing apparatus for a medical device includes a housing having an aperture to receive the medical device. An engagement member is disposed in the housing. A biasing element urges the engagement member against a surface of the medical device, when the medical device is placed in the housing.

Abstract: A delivery system includes an elongate shaft, a handle, a first clasp control member, and a second clasp control member. The handle is connected to a proximal portion of the elongate shaft. The first and second clasp control members each extend into a distal portion of the elongate shaft, through at least a portion of the elongate shaft, out of the proximal portion of the elongate shaft, and through the handle. The first and second clasp control members have paths that include a first parallel portion in the elongate shaft where the first clasp control member and the second clasp control member are parallel, and a diverging portion that is proximal to the first parallel portion where the first clasp control member diverges from the second clasp control member.

Abstract: A valve catheter is advanced through a patient's vasculature while a prosthetic heart valve is attached to flexible extensions along a distal end thereof. The valve catheter is advanced through a tubular sleeve for exposing the prosthetic heart valve and allowing the prosthetic heart valve to self-expand while the extensions remain attached to the prosthetic heart valve. A release mechanism on a handle portion is actuated for releasing the prosthetic heart valve from the extensions, thereby implanting the prosthetic heart in a native heart valve. If the operator is not satisfied with the initial expansion, the prosthetic heart valve may be reoriented before release from the extensions by retracting the prosthetic heart valve back into the tubular sleeve, adjusting the orientation of the prosthetic heart valve and then re-advancing the valve catheter from the tubular sleeve for allowing the prosthetic heart valve to re-self-expand at a more desirable location.

Abstract: An implantable heart valve device has a main body including a first end portion and a second end portion. The main body is configured to be implanted around a native leaflet of a heart valve such that the first end portion is on an atrial side of the leaflet and the second end portion is on a ventricular side of the leaflet, and such that the main body can coapt with an opposing native leaflet during operation of the heart valve. One of the first or second end portions comprises a coupling assembly, and the other of the first or second end portions comprises a coupling member configured to extend through the native leaflet when the heart valve device is implanted in a heart valve. The coupling assembly is configured to releasably engage the coupling member to permit adjustment of the relative positions of the first and second end portions.

Abstract: An assembly for delivering a prosthetic heart valve to a native heart valve is disclosed. The assembly includes a self-expanding prosthetic heart valve formed with an expandable metallic stent and a flexible valvular structure. The assembly also includes a delivery apparatus having a delivery sleeve. The delivery sleeve includes a selectively steerable section and a distal portion for retaining the prosthetic heart valve in a compressed state. A handle is coupled to a proximal end of the delivery sleeve and a pull wire extends from the handle to the steerable section of the delivery sleeve. The handle preferably includes a rotatable portion for actuating the pull wire and thereby selectively controlling a curvature of the steerable section during advancement through the patient's vasculature. In preferred embodiments, the steerable section includes a flexible metallic tubular portion formed with a plurality of circumferentially extending openings.

Abstract: A delivery system includes an elongate shaft, a handle, a first clasp control member, a second clasp control member, and an actuator. The handle is connected to a proximal portion of the elongate shaft. The first and second clasp control members each extend into a distal portion of the elongate shaft, through at least a portion of the elongate shaft, out of the proximal portion of the elongate shaft, and through the handle. The actuator is coupled to the handle and has a first side portion connected to the first clasp control and a second side portion connected to the second clasp control.