Abstract: A device structured to suppress mitral regurgitation by restricting prolapse of a mitral valve leaflet and including a base correspondingly dimensioned to the mitral valve and including a central portion, structured to allow blood flow there through and a peripheral portion or ring connected to the central portion in substantially surrounding relation thereto. An operative position of the base includes the central portion disposed in overlying, movement restricting relation to at least one of the valve leaflets and the ring concurrently anchored adjacent or directly to the native annulus of the mitral valve. The physical characteristics of the base facilitate its movement with and conformance to the mitral valve during diastole and systole cycles of the heart.

Abstract: A device structured to suppress mitral regurgitation by restricting prolapse of a mitral valve leaflet and including a base correspondingly dimensioned to the mitral valve and including a central portion, structured to allow blood flow there through and a peripheral portion or ring connected to the central portion in substantially surrounding relation thereto. An operative position of the base includes the central portion disposed in overlying, movement restricting relation to at least one of the valve leaflets and the ring concurrently anchored adjacent or directly to the native annulus of the mitral valve. The physical characteristics of the base facilitate its movement with and conformance to the mitral valve during diastole and systole cycles of the heart.

Abstract: A device structured to suppress mitral regurgitation by restricting prolapse of a mitral valve leaflet and including a base correspondingly dimensioned to the mitral valve and including a central portion, structured to allow blood flow there through and a peripheral portion or ring connected to the central portion in substantially surrounding relation thereto. An operative position of the base includes the central portion disposed in overlying, movement restricting relation to at least one of the valve leaflets and the ring concurrently anchored adjacent or directly to the native annulus of the mitral valve. The physical characteristics of the base facilitate its movement with and conformance to the mitral valve during diastole and systole cycles of the heart.

Abstract: A closure system, assembly and attended method for closing and opening in the tissue of the patient includes first and second closure members each including a biased construction operative for disposition of the closure members into an out of retracted and expanded orientations. A connector is disposed in interconnecting relation with the closure members and structured to establish at least a partial spacing there between. The biased construction and the interconnection of the closure members facilitate con current disposition of the closure members with one another into and through an introductory instrument as well as independent and successive disposition of the first and second closure members into a closing relation to the tissue opening upon exiting the introductory instrument.

Abstract: An assembly and method for performing the occlusion of the left atrial appendage including a delivery instrument being positioned in communicating relation with the interior of the left atrial appendage and disposing a distal end portion of the delivery instrument in covering relation to the entrance thereof. Occlusion material is movably connected to the delivery instrument and includes at least one elongated single strand of flexible material. A length of the single strand is progressively fed through the delivery instrument into the interior of the left atrial appendage and the flexibility thereof is sufficient to progressively form an arbitrarily intermingled array of occlusion material therein. The dimension and configuration of the formed arbitrarily intermingled array is sufficient to fill a predetermined portion of the interior of the left atrial appendage and thereby conform to the configuration thereof.

Abstract: An assembly and method for performing the occlusion of the left atrial appendage including a delivery instrument being positioned in communicating relation with the interior of the left atrial appendage and disposing a distal end portion of the delivery instrument in covering relation to the entrance thereof. Occlusion material is movably connected to the delivery instrument and includes at least one elongated single strand of flexible material. A length of the single strand is progressively fed through the delivery instrument into the interior of the left atrial appendage and the flexibility thereof is sufficient to progressively form an arbitrarily intermingled array of occlusion material therein. The dimension and configuration of the formed arbitrarily intermingled array is sufficient to fill a predetermined portion of the interior of the left atrial appendage and thereby conform to the configuration thereof.

Abstract: An assembly and method for treating heart valve malfunction including mitral regurgitation wherein an elongated chord is movably disposed within an introductory sheath and an anchor is secured to a distal end thereof. The sheath and the chord are introduced into the heart chamber and penetrate and pass through the anterior mitral valve leaflet and preferably through the mitral valve orifice. The sheath and the chord are then extended transversely across the heart chamber and the distal end of the chord is anchored to an opposing portion of the heart wall. The sheath is withdrawn back along the length of the anchored chord through the anterior mitral valve leaflet and the proximal end of the chord is secured to the valve leaflet. The chord is secured under sufficient tension to maintain an intended positioning of the valve leaflet to overcome mitral regurgitation.

Abstract: A device structured to suppress mitral regurgitation by restricting prolapse of a mitral valve leaflet and including a base correspondingly dimensioned to the mitral valve and including a central portion, structured to allow blood flow there through and a peripheral portion or ring connected to the central portion in substantially surrounding relation thereto. An operative position of the base includes the central portion disposed in overlying, movement restricting relation to at least one of the valve leaflets and the ring concurrently anchored adjacent or directly to the native annulus of the mitral valve. The physical characteristics of the base facilitate its movement with and conformance to the mitral valve during diastole and systole cycles of the heart.

Abstract: A system for treating heart valve malfunction specifically including mitral regurgitation including a positioning structure operative to assume both expanded and contracted orientations and a retaining assembly positioned and structured to operatively dispose the positioning structure in moveably supporting lifting and/or positioning relation to the ventricular wall portion of the heart. The retaining assembly and the positioning structure are cooperatively disposed and structured to accomplish a shape variance of the heart upon a lifting or positioning force being exerted thereon substantially concurrent to the positioning structure being disposed in the expanded orientation. The force exerted on the heart at least partially defines a shape variance thereof to the extent of positioning of the leaflets of the mitral valve into a closed orientation which restricts mitral regurgitation.

Abstract: A device structured to suppress mitral regurgitation by restricting prolapse of a mitral valve leaflet and including a base correspondingly dimensioned to the mitral valve and including a central portion, structured to allow blood flow there through and a peripheral portion or ring connected to the central portion in substantially surrounding relation thereto. An operative position of the base includes the central portion disposed in overlying, movement restricting relation to at least one of the valve leaflets and the ring concurrently anchored adjacent or directly to the native annulus of the mitral valve. The physical characteristics of the base facilitate its movement with and conformance to the mitral valve during diastole and systole cycles of the heart.

Abstract: A system for treating heart valve malfunction specifically including mitral regurgitation comprising a positioning structure operative to assume both expanded and contracted orientations and a retaining assembly positioned and structured to operatively dispose the positioning structure in moveably supporting lifting and/or positioning relation to the ventricular wall portion of the heart. The retaining assembly and the positioning structure are cooperatively disposed and structured to accomplish a shape variance of the heart upon a lifting or positioning force being exerted thereon substantially concurrent to the positioning structure being disposed in the expanded orientation. The force exerted on the heart at least partially defines a shape variance thereof to the extent of positioning of the leaflets of the mitral valve into a closed orientation which restricts mitral regurgitation.

Abstract: A closure system, assembly and attended method for closing and opening in the tissue of the patient includes first and second closure members each including a biased construction operative for disposition of the closure members into an out of retracted and expanded orientations. A connector is disposed in interconnecting relation with the closure members and structured to establish at least a partial spacing there between. The biased construction and the interconnection of the closure members facilitate con current disposition of the closure members with one another into and through an introductory instrument as well as independent and successive disposition of the first and second closure members into a closing relation to the tissue opening upon exiting the introductory instrument.

Abstract: An introduction assembly and method for the insertion of medical instruments through a thoracic passage into a selected one of either the left or right atrium of the heart. Catheters or other instruments dedicated to performing required cardiac maneuvers are passed through an introductory sheath having a distal end disposed within the targeted atrium. Upon completion of the required cardiac maneuvers the instruments are removed from the atrium and a closure assembly is passed through the introductory sheath into a closing relation to an entry site, formed in the pericardium and corresponding atrium wall, to facilitate healing thereof. The introductory assembly and method facilitates the concurrent, operative disposition of a plurality of catheters or other instruments into the interior of the selected atrium through different thoracic passages and entry sites thereby allowing synergistic interaction between the multiple catheters in the performance of the required cardiac maneuvers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an assembly, and methods thereof, for cutting the pericardium of a subject. The assembly is designed for insertion into the thoracic cavity via a thoracic passage localized between adjacent ribs of the subject. The assembly is particularly useful for cutting a window in the pericardium to allow for access to the heart for performing further procedures.

Abstract: An assembly and method for performing the occlusion of the left atrial appendage including a delivery instrument being positioned in communicating relation with the interior of the left atrial appendage and disposing a distal end portion of the delivery instrument in covering relation to the entrance thereof. Occlusion material is movably connected to the delivery instrument and includes at least one elongated single strand of flexible material. A length of the single strand is progressively fed through the delivery instrument into the interior of the left atrial appendage and the flexibility thereof is sufficient to progressively form an arbitrarily intermingled array of occlusion material therein. The dimension and configuration of the formed arbitrarily intermingled array is sufficient to fill a predetermined portion of the interior of the left atrial appendage and thereby conform to the configuration thereof.

Abstract: An assembly and method for treating heart valve malfunction including mitral regurgitation wherein an elongated chord is movably disposed within an introductory sheath and an anchor is secured to a distal end thereof. The sheath and the chord are introduced into the heart chamber and penetrate and pass through the anterior mitral valve leaflet and preferably through the mitral valve orifice. The sheath and the chord are then extended transversely across the heart chamber and the distal end of the chord is anchored to an opposing portion of the heart wall. The sheath is withdrawn back along the length of the anchored chord through the anterior mitral valve leaflet and the proximal end of the chord is secured to the valve leaflet. The chord is secured under sufficient tension to maintain an intended positioning of the valve leaflet to overcome mitral regurgitation.

Abstract: An assembly and method for treating heart valve malfunction typically including treating of mitral regurgitation wherein an instrument assembly includes an elongated chord movably disposed within an introductory sheath and including an anchor secured to a distal end thereof. An attendant method includes concurrently introducing the sheath and the chord into the heart chamber through an exterior wall and penetrating and passing the sheath and the chord through the anterior mitral valve leaflet. The sheath and the chord are then extended transversely across the heart chamber and the distal end of the chord is anchored to an opposing portion of the heart wall. The sheath is then withdrawn back along the length of the anchored chord and through the anterior mitral valve leaflet and a securing member connects the proximal end of the chord to the valve leaflet.

Abstract: An introduction assembly and method for the insertion of medical instruments through a thoracic passage into a selected one of either the left or right atrium of the heart. Catheters or other instruments dedicated to performing required cardiac maneuvers are passed through an introductory sheath having a distal end disposed within the targeted atrium. Upon completion of the required cardiac maneuvers the instruments are removed from the atrium and a closure assembly is passed through the introductory sheath into a closing relation to an entry site, formed in the pericardium and corresponding atrium wall, to facilitate healing thereof. The introductory assembly and method facilitates the concurrent, operative disposition of a plurality of catheters or other instruments into the interior of the selected atrium through different thoracic passages and entry sites thereby allowing synergistic interaction between the multiple catheters in the performance of the required cardiac maneuvers.

Abstract: An introduction assembly and method for the insertion of medical instruments through a thoracic passage into a selected one of either the left or right atrium of the heart. Catheters or other instruments dedicated to performing required cardiac maneuvers are passed through an introductory sheath having a distal end disposed within the targeted atrium. Upon completion of the required cardiac maneuvers the instruments are removed from the atrium and a closure assembly is passed through the introductory sheath into a closing relation to an entry site, formed in the pericardium and corresponding atrium wall, to facilitate healing thereof. The introductory assembly and method facilitates the concurrent, operative disposition of a plurality of catheters or other instruments into the interior of the selected atrium through different thoracic passages and entry sites thereby allowing synergistic interaction between the multiple catheters in the performance of the required cardiac maneuvers.