Abstract: The present technology relates to depots for the treatment of postoperative pain via sustained, controlled release of a therapeutic agent. In some embodiments, the depot may comprise a therapeutic region comprising an analgesic, and a control region comprising a bioresorbable polymer and a releasing agent mixed with the polymer. The releasing agent may be configured to dissolve when the depot is placed in vivo to form diffusion openings in the control region. The depot may be configured to be implanted at a treatment site in vivo and, while implanted, release the therapeutic agent at the treatment site for no less than 3 days.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for renal neuromodulation using a pulsed electric field to effectuate electroporation or electrofusion. It is expected that renal neuromodulation (e.g., denervation) may, among other things, reduce expansion of an acute myocardial infarction, reduce or prevent the onset of morphological changes that are affiliated with congestive heart failure, and/or be efficacious in the treatment of end stage renal disease. Embodiments of the present invention are configured for percutaneous intravascular delivery of pulsed electric fields to achieve such neuromodulation.

Abstract: An implantable ultrasonic vascular sensor for implantation at a fixed location within a vessel, comprising at least one ultrasound transducer, a transducer drive circuit, and means for wirelessly transmitting ultrasound data from the at least one ultrasound transducer.

Abstract: A heart valve repair device may include a support configured to extend through a native annulus of a native heart valve, wherein the support comprises an upstream portion and a downstream portion; an annular expandable retainer extending from the upstream portion of the support, and an arm extending from the downstream portion of the support. The annular expandable retainer may include a C-shaped cross-section that is open inwardly. The arm may be configured to reach behind a leaflet of the native heart valve and sandwich the leaflet between the arm and the support.

Abstract: Cardiac valve repair devices with coaptation members and multiple clip mechanisms and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A cardiac valve repair device configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, an optional fixation member configured to engage tissue within a left atrium proximate to a native mitral valve, a coaptation member depending from the fixation member, and a plurality of clip mechanisms extending from a downstream portion of the coaptation member. The coaptation member can be positioned between the native leaflets and at least partially fill a space between the native leaflets. A first clip mechanism can engage a first portion of one of the native leaflets, and a second clip mechanism can engage another portion of the same native leaflet or an opposing native leaflet.

Abstract: The present technology relates to implantable depots for the local, sustained, controlled release of a therapeutic agent to treat cancer. An implantable depot may comprise a biodegradable polymer mixed with a locally acting chemotherapeutic agent. The depot may be configured to be implanted within a patient proximate cancerous tissue and, while implanted, provide sustained exposure of the chemotherapeutic agent at the treatment site.

Abstract: Prosthetic heart valve devices for percutaneous replacement of native heart valves and associated systems and method are disclosed herein. A prosthetic heart valve device configured in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present technology can include an expandable support having an outer surface and configured for placement between leaflets of the native valve. The device can also include a plurality of asymmetrically arranged arms coupled to the expandable support and configured to receive the leaflets of the native valve between the arms and the outer surface. In some embodiments, the arms can include tip portions for engaging a subannular surface of the native valve.

Abstract: Methods and devices are adapted for implanting into the eye. An incision is formed in the cornea of the eye and a shunt is inserted through the incision into the anterior chamber of the eye. The shunt includes a fluid passageway. The shunt is passed along a pathway from the anterior chamber through the scleral spur of the eye into the suprachoroidal space and positioned in a first position such that a first portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the anterior chamber and a second portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the suprachoroidal space to provide a fluid passageway between the suprachoroidal space and the anterior chamber.

Abstract: An implantable sensor for implantation in a vessel, comprising a plurality of electrodes for placement on, in or adjacent a vessel wall, means for providing a drive signal to the electrodes, means for measuring at least one of impedance and capacitance between at least two of the plurality of electrodes, and means for wirelessly communicating data from the sensor and a blood vessel monitoring system comprising same.

Abstract: The present technology relates to devices for treating arteries. In several embodiments, for example, the present technology comprises an expandable structure configured to be intravascularly positioned within a lumen of the artery at a treatment site, where the artery has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape at the treatment site prior to deployment of the expandable structure therein. When the expandable structure is in an expanded state and positioned in apposition with the arterial wall at the treatment site under diastolic pressure, the expandable structure may force the artery into a non-circular cross-sectional shape. A cross-sectional area of the artery in the non-circular cross-sectional shape may be less than a cross-sectional area of the artery in the substantially circular cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A heart valve repair device may include a support configured to extend through a native annulus of a native heart valve, wherein the support comprises an upstream portion and a downstream portion; an annular expandable retainer extending from the upstream portion of the support, and an arm extending from the downstream portion of the support. The annular expandable retainer may include a C-shaped cross-section that is open inwardly. The arm may be configured to reach behind a leaflet of the native heart valve and sandwich the leaflet between the arm and the support.

Abstract: A therapeutic device to release a therapeutic agent comprises a porous structure coupled to a container comprising a reservoir. The reservoir comprises a volume sized to release therapeutic amounts of the therapeutic agent for an extended time when coupled to the porous structure and implanted in the patient. The porous structure may comprise a first side coupled to the reservoir and a second side to couple to the patient to release the therapeutic agent. A plurality of interconnecting channels can extend from the first side to the second side so as to connect a first a plurality of openings on the first side with a second plurality of openings on the second side.

Abstract: Coaptation assist device for repairing cardiac valves and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A coaptation assist device configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, a fixation member configured to press against cardiac tissue proximate to a native valve annulus, and a stationary coaptation structure extending away from the fixation member. The coaptation structure can include an anterior surface configured to coapt with a first native leaflet during systole and a posterior surface configured to displace at least a portion of a second native leaflet. The device also includes at least one sensor configured to detect parameters associated with at least one of cardiac function and device functionality. The sensors can be pressure sensors configured to detect left atrial pressure and/or left ventricular pressure.

Abstract: Methods and devices are adapted for implanting into the eye. An incision is formed in the cornea of the eye and a shunt is inserted through the incision into the anterior chamber of the eye. The shunt includes a fluid passageway. The shunt is passed along a pathway from the anterior chamber through the scleral spur of the eye into the suprachoroidal space and positioned in a first position such that a first portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the anterior chamber and a second portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the suprachoroidal space to provide a fluid passageway between the suprachoroidal space and the anterior chamber.

Abstract: Pathologies of joints arising from improper force distributions are addressed by displacement of targeted connective and muscle tissues surrounding the joint in order to realign force vectors and alter moment arms loading the joint.

Abstract: An implantable sensor for implantation in a vessel, comprising a plurality of electrodes for placement on, in or adjacent a vessel wall, means for providing a drive signal to the electrodes, means for measuring at least one of impedance and capacitance between at least two of the plurality of electrodes, and means for wirelessly communicating data from the sensor and a blood vessel monitoring system comprising same.

Abstract: Pathologies of joints arising from improper force distributions are addressed by displacement of targeted connective and muscle tissues surrounding the joint in order to realign force vectors and alter moment arms loading the joint.

Abstract: Prosthetic heart valve devices for percutaneous replacement of native heart valves and associated systems and method are disclosed herein. A prosthetic heart valve device configured in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present technology can include an expandable support having an outer surface and configured for placement between leaflets of the native valve. The device can also include a plurality of asymmetrically arranged arms coupled to the expandable support and configured to receive the leaflets of the native valve between the arms and the outer surface. In some embodiments, the arms can include tip portions for engaging a subannular surface of the native valve.

Abstract: Wireless, variable inductance and resonant circuit-based vascular monitoring devices, systems, methodologies, and techniques, including specifically configured anchoring structures for same, are disclosed that can be used to assist healthcare professionals in predicting, preventing, and diagnosing various heart-related and other health conditions.

Abstract: Systems for mitral valve repair are disclosed where one or more mitral valve interventional devices may be advanced intravascularly into the heart of a patient and deployed upon or along the mitral valve to stabilize the valve leaflets. The interventional device may also facilitate the placement or anchoring of a prosthetic mitral valve implant. The interventional device may generally comprise a distal set of arms pivotably and/or rotating coupled to a proximal set of arms which are also pivotably and/or rotating coupled. The distal set of arms may be advanced past the catheter opening to a subannular position (e.g., below the mitral valve) and reconfigured from a low-profile delivery configuration to a deployed securement configuration. The proximal arm members may then be deployed such that the distal and proximal arm members may grip the leaflets between the two sets of arms to stabilize the leaflets.