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.

Abstract: An implant for insertion into a punctum of a patient comprises a body. The body has a distal end, a proximal end, and an axis therebetween. The distal end of the body is insertable distally through the punctum into the canalicular lumen. The body comprises a therapeutic agent included within an agent matrix drug core. Exposure of the agent matrix to the tear fluid effects an effective therapeutic agent release into the tear fluid over a sustained period. The body has a sheath disposed over the agent matrix to inhibit release of the agent away from the proximal end. The body also has an outer surface configured to engage luminal wall tissues so as to inhibit expulsion when disposed therein. In specific embodiments, the agent matrix comprises a non-bioabsorbable polymer, for example silicone in a non-homogenous mixture with the agent.

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: Cardiac valve repair devices 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, a coaptation member and an atrial-fixation member. The coaptation member can comprise an inner portion having a coaptation surface configured to coapt with a first native leaflet during systole and an outer portion configured to displace at least a portion of a second native leaflet. The atrial-fixation member can comprise a plurality of interconnected struts having a circumferential U-like shape about a flow axis of the cardiac valve and defining a brim portion and a pair of connection portions. The connection portions can be coupled to the coaptation member, and the brim portion can be configured to press against cardiac tissue above the first native leaflet proximate to a native valve annulus of the cardiac valve.

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: Expandable devices are disclosed herein. Several of the embodiments are directed towards an expandable device comprising a stent configured to be expanded within a body conduit of a human patient. The stent may comprise a tubular sidewall having first portions and second portions. Radial expansion of the stent may cause the first portions to bow outwardly and out of radial alignment with the second portions.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for treating a blood flow passage are disclosed herein. For example, expandable devices of the present technology may comprise a stent having a collapsed configuration for delivery through a delivery device to a treatment site in a body conduit and an expanded configuration. The stent may comprise a plurality of struts and longitudinally extending first and second spines configured to move in opposing axial directions as the stent expands. Each of the struts may extend between and connect one of the first spines and one of the second spines. Moving the first spines axially relative to the second spines may cause the struts to push circumferentially adjacent spines to move away from one another, thereby increasing a diameter of the stent.

Abstract: Expandable devices are disclosed herein. Several of the embodiments are directed towards an expandable device configured to be expanded within a conduit. The expandable device may comprise a tubular sidewall having first portions and second portions. Radial expansion of the expandable device may cause the first portions to bow outwardly and out of radial alignment with the second portions.

Abstract: Systems (1100) for treating a blood flow passage are discloses herein. In one example, a treatment device includes an expandable element (1104) configured to be positioned within the passage and a reinforcing element (1102). The expandable element may have an expanded configuration in which the expandable element defines a lumen (1108) therethrough. The reinforcing element may be positioned within the lumen of the expandable element. The reinforcing element may be coupled to the expandable element such that expansion of the expandable element causes the reinforcing element to radially expand, thereby creating a perfusion lumen through the device.

Abstract: Cardiac valve repair devices with annuloplasty features 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 atrial fixation member configured to engage tissue within a left atrium proximate to a native mitral valve and a spring mechanism coupled to an inferior edge portion of the atrial fixation member. The spring mechanism has an extended state with a first length corresponding to a dimension of the atrial fixation member in a deployed state and a relaxed state with a shorter length corresponding to a desired dimension of the native valve annulus. When implanted, the spring mechanism contracts the atrial fixation member such that the native mitral annulus anchored to the atrial fixation member reduces in a cross-sectional dimension.

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.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that provide for regular, periodic or continuous monitoring of fluid volume based on direct measurement of an inferior vena cava (IVC) physical dimension using a wireless measurement sensor implanted in the IVC. By basing diagnostic decisions and treatments on changes in an IVC physical dimension, information on patient fluid state is available across the entire euvolemic range of fluid states, thus providing earlier warning of hypervolemia or hypovolemia and enabling the modulation of patient treatments to permit more stable long-term fluid management.

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: Systems, delivery devices, and methods to treat to ablate, damage, or otherwise affect tissue. The treatment systems are capable of delivering a coolable ablation assembly that ablates targeted tissue without damaging non-targeted tissue. The coolable ablation assembly damages nerve tissue to temporarily or permanently decrease nervous system input. The system, delivery devices, and methods can damage tissue and manage scarring and stenosis.

Abstract: Cardiac valve repair devices with annuloplasty features 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 atrial fixation member configured to engage tissue within a left atrium proximate to a native mitral valve and a spring mechanism coupled to an inferior edge portion of the atrial fixation member. The spring mechanism has an extended state with a first length corresponding to a dimension of the atrial fixation member in a deployed state and a relaxed state with a shorter length corresponding to a desired dimension of the native valve annulus. When implanted, the spring mechanism contracts the atrial fixation member such that the native mitral annulus anchored to the atrial fixation member reduces in a cross-sectional dimension.

Abstract: Disclosed is an accommodating intraocular lens device for treatment of an eye including a stabilization haptic (120) configured to be positioned within a region of an eye and a lens body having a sealed chamber containing a fixed volume of optical fluid. The lens body includes a shape changing membrane (145) configured to outwardly bow in a region surrounding the optical axis of the eye; a shape deformation membrane configured to undergo displacement relative to the first shape changing membrane; and a static element (150). An inner surface of the shape changing membrane, an inner surface of the shape deformation membrane and an inner surface of the static element collectively form the sealed chamber. The lens device also includes a force translation arm (115) having a first end configured to contact an outer surface of the shape deformation membrane of the lens body and a second end configured to engage a ciliary structure of the eye.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient's joint having opposing joint surfaces includes providing an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end and an expandable member near the distal end. The expandable member is positioned in the joint between the joint surfaces and expanded so as to separate the joint surfaces away from one another into a distracted position. The joint is manipulated while in the distracted position so that the joint is distracted and in flexion. A diagnostic or therapeutic procedure is then performed on the joint while maintaining the joint in the flexed and distracted position.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to the treatment of cardiac valves. Many embodiments of the present technology comprise an anchor member configured to be positioned at an implantation site proximate a native valve annulus. The anchor member may comprise an expandable structure having a first portion and a second portion. When the first portion is positioned at the implantation site at body temperature and released from a constrained delivery state, the first portion is configured to self-expand into apposition with tissue at or near the annulus to secure the anchor member at the implantation site. The second portion remains in a low-profile state at or around body temperature and is configured to expand into apposition with tissue at or near the annulus when heated above a second temperature greater than the first temperature and body temperature.

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: An implant for insertion into a punctum of a patient comprises a body. The body has a distal end, a proximal end, and an axis therebetween. The distal end of the body is insertable distally through the punctum into the canalicular lumen. The body comprises a therapeutic agent included within an agent matrix drug core. Exposure of the agent matrix to the tear fluid effects an effective therapeutic agent release into the tear fluid over a sustained period. The body has a sheath disposed over the agent matrix to inhibit release of the agent away from the proximal end. The body also has an outer surface configured to engage luminal wall tissues so as to inhibit expulsion when disposed therein. In specific embodiments, the agent matrix comprises a non-bioabsorbable polymer, for example silicone in a non-homogenous mixture with the agent.