Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating a heart condition by perfusing a drug through an un-arrested beating heart of a patient. A closed circuit through the patient's coronary arteries and coronary venous system may be formed from a first drug delivery catheter (1822) positioned in the right coronary artery, a second drug delivery catheter (1824) positioned in the left coronary artery, a drug recovery catheter (1826) positioned in a coronary sinus, and an external membrane oxygenation system (1820) fluidly coupled to the various catheters. A drug for treating a heart condition may be perfused through the closed circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating a renal condition by loco-regional perfusion of one or both of a patient's kidneys (1810). A closed circuit may be formed with a perfusion catheter (1822) positioned in the renal artery of the kidney, a recovery catheter (1824) positioned in the renal vein of the kidney, and an external membrane oxygenator (1820) disposed therebetween. A perfusate containing, for example, a drug may be circulated through the closed circuit while isolating the closed circuit from the patient's systemic circulation.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods from delivering prosthetic devices, such as prosthetic heart valves, through the body and into the heart for implantation therein. The prosthetic devices delivered with the delivery systems disclosed herein are, for example, radially expandable from a radially compressed state mounted on the delivery system to a radially expanded state for implantation using an inflatable balloon of the delivery system. Exemplary delivery routes through the body and into the heart include transfemoral routes, transapical routes, and transaortic routes, among others.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods from delivering prosthetic devices, such as prosthetic heart valves, through the body and into the heart for implantation therein. The prosthetic devices delivered with the delivery systems disclosed herein are, for example, radially expandable from a radially compressed state mounted on the delivery system to a radially expanded state for implantation using an inflatable balloon of the delivery system. Exemplary delivery routes through the body and into the heart include transfemoral routes, transapical routes, and transaortic routes, among others.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods from delivering prosthetic devices, such as prosthetic heart valves, through the body and into the heart for implantation therein. The prosthetic devices delivered with the delivery systems disclosed herein are, for example, radially expandable from a radially compressed state mounted on the delivery system to a radially expanded state for implantation using an inflatable balloon of the delivery system. Exemplary delivery routes through the body and into the heart include transfemoral routes, transapical routes, and transaortic routes, among others.

Abstract: A delivery system and method for delivering a prosthetic heart valve to the aortic valve annulus via a transaortic approach. The system includes a balloon catheter for delivering a balloon-expandable prosthetic heart valve through an introducer from an approach from outside the patient, through a minimally-invasive opening in the chest cavity through an incision in the aorta, and into the aorta and aortic annulus. The balloon catheter includes a flexible, tapered tip just distal of the balloon to facilitate positioning of the prosthetic heart valve in the proper orientation within the aortic annulus. The prosthetic heart valve may be installed over the existing calcified leaflets, and a pre-dilation valvuloplasty procedure may also be utilized.

Abstract: Embodiments of aortic occlusion devices are described herein that include radially expandable and collapsible proximal and distal end portions, such as annular self-expanding stents or frames, that are configured to radially expand within an aorta to secure the device within the aorta. The devices can also include a catheter extending axially between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion and a porous covering, or filter, positioned around the catheter and between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion and configured to filter emboli from blood flowing into upper-body arteries. The device can further include a one-way valve positioned at or adjacent to the distal end portion of the device and configured to restrict retrograde blood flow through the device toward the heart.

Abstract: A device is described which has an instrument portion secured to a sleeve/cuff portion, where the sleeve/cuff portion is configured to receive a portion of user's finger therein and to radially compress onto the user's finger to hold the instrument portion thereon. The present invention is particularly well suited for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures. The present invention also teaches a method of forming a knot in suture material as well as other techniques for treating patients.

Abstract: A bi-directional cannula for perfusing blood in two directions. The cannula has a distal opening in fluid communication with a cannula first lumen. The cannula has a secondary opening proximal of the distal opening, and may include a movable tubular extension selectively extendable from the cannula via the secondary opening. The tubular extension may be in fluid connection with the cannula first lumen and/or a cannula second lumen. The tubular extension may have distal and/or side openings, with the openings providing antegrade fluid perfusion. The cannula second lumen may be separate from the first lumen, so that perfusion can be selectively provided to just the cannula distal opening, just the secondary opening/tubular extension, or simultaneously to both the distal opening and secondary opening/tubular extension.

Abstract: A collapsible device, such as an annuloplasty ring or prosthetic heart valve, is configured to be collapsed prior to being introduced into a patient via minimally-invasive access points such as port holes or intercostal incisions. A holder is configured to hold the collapsible device, and to selectively collapse the device for introduction into the patient and then re-enlarge the device at the desired deployment site. Collapsible devices include devices that can hingedly fold about hinge lines, and devices that can elongate to form substantially spiral forms with reduced diameters.

Abstract: A delivery system and method for delivering a prosthetic heart valve to the aortic valve. The system includes a delivery catheter having a steering mechanism thereon for delivering a balloon-expandable prosthetic heart valve to the aortic valve through an introducer passing into the left ventricle through its apex. The introducer may have a more floppy distal section than a proximal section to reduce trauma to the heart wall while preserving good operating field stability. The delivery catheter includes a deflecting segment just proximal to a distal balloon to facilitate positioning of the prosthetic heart valve in the proper orientation. A trigger in a catheter handle may be coupled to a deflection wire that actuates the deflecting segment, while a slider in the handle controls retraction of a valve pusher. The prosthetic heart valve may be installed over the existing calcified leaflets, and a pre-dilation valvuloplasty procedure may also be utilized.

Abstract: A method of delivering a prosthetic heart valve to the aortic valve annulus while a patient's heart is beating. The method includes accessing the left ventricle through an intercostal incision and forming a puncture in the left ventricle. A guidewire is advanced into the left ventricle and through the native aortic valve. An introducer sheath is passed over the guidewire and into the left ventricle. A prosthetic heart valve is advanced over the guidewire and through the introducer sheath using a delivery catheter. After positioning the prosthetic heart valve in the native aortic valve, the prosthetic heart valve is radially expanded in the aortic valve annulus for replacing the function of the native aortic valve.

Abstract: A bi-directional cannula for perfusing blood in two directions. The cannula has a distal opening in fluid communication with a cannula first lumen. The cannula has a secondary opening proximal of the distal opening, and may include a movable tubular extension selectively extendable from the cannula via the secondary opening. The tubular extension may be in fluid connection with the cannula first lumen and/or a cannula second lumen. The tubular extension may have distal and/or side openings, with the openings providing antegrade fluid perfusion. The cannula second lumen may be separate from the first lumen, so that perfusion can be selectively provided to just the cannula distal opening, just the secondary opening/tubular extension, or simultaneously to both the distal opening and secondary opening/tubular extension.

Abstract: A device is described which has an instrument portion secured to a sleeve/cuff portion, where the sleeve/cuff portion is configured to receive a portion of user's finger therein and to radially compress onto the user's finger to hold the instrument portion thereon. The present invention is particularly well suited for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures. The present invention also teaches a method of forming a knot in suture material as well as other techniques for treating patients.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods from delivering prosthetic devices, such as prosthetic heart valves, through the body and into the heart for implantation therein. The prosthetic devices delivered with the delivery systems disclosed herein are, for example, radially expandable from a radially compressed state mounted on the delivery system to a radially expanded state for implantation using an inflatable balloon of the delivery system. Exemplary delivery routes through the body and into the heart include transfemoral routes, transapical routes, and transaortic routes, among others.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods from delivering prosthetic devices, such as prosthetic heart valves, through the body and into the heart for implantation therein. The prosthetic devices delivered with the delivery systems disclosed herein are, for example, radially expandable from a radially compressed state mounted on the delivery system to a radially expanded state for implantation using an inflatable balloon of the delivery system. Exemplary delivery routes through the body and into the heart include transfemoral routes, transapical routes, and transaortic routes, among others.

Abstract: A delivery system and method for delivering a prosthetic heart valve to the aortic valve. The system includes a delivery catheter having a steering mechanism thereon for delivering a balloon-expandable prosthetic heart valve to the aortic valve through an introducer passing into the left ventricle through its apex. The introducer may have a more floppy distal section than a proximal section to reduce trauma to the heart wall while preserving good operating field stability. The delivery catheter includes a deflecting segment just proximal to a distal balloon to facilitate positioning of the prosthetic heart valve in the proper orientation. A trigger in a catheter handle may be coupled to a deflection wire that actuates the deflecting segment, while a slider in the handle controls retraction of a valve pusher. The prosthetic heart valve may be installed over the existing calcified leaflets, and a pre-dilation valvuloplasty procedure may also be utilized.

Abstract: A collapsible device, such as an annuloplasty ring or prosthetic heart valve, is configured to be collapsed prior to being introduced into a patient via minimally-invasive access points such as port holes or intercostal incisions. A holder is configured to hold the collapsible device, and to selectively collapse the device for introduction into the patient and then re-enlarge the device at the desired deployment site. Collapsible devices include devices that can hingedly fold about hinge lines, and devices that can elongate to form substantially spiral forms with reduced diameters.

Abstract: A delivery system and method for delivering a prosthetic heart valve to the aortic valve annulus. The system includes a delivery catheter having a steering mechanism thereon for delivering a balloon-expandable prosthetic heart valve to the aortic annulus in an antegrade fashion through an introducer passing into the left ventricle through its apex. The introducer may have a more floppy distal section than a proximal section to reduce trauma to the heart wall while preserving good operating field stability. The delivery catheter includes a deflecting segment just proximal to a distal balloon to facilitate positioning of the prosthetic heart valve in the proper orientation within the aortic annulus. A trigger in a catheter handle may be coupled to a deflection wire that actuates the deflecting segment, while a slider in the handle controls retraction of a valve pusher.

Abstract: Embodiments of aortic occlusion devices are described herein that include radially expandable and collapsible proximal and distal end portions, such as annular self-expanding stents or frames, that are configured to radially expand within an aorta to secure the device within the aorta. The devices can also include a catheter extending axially between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion and a porous covering, or filter, positioned around the catheter and between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion and configured to filter emboli from blood flowing into upper-body arteries. The device can further include a one-way valve positioned at or adjacent to the distal end portion of the device and configured to restrict retrograde blood flow through the device toward the heart.