Abstract: A stented valve including a stent structure having a generally tubular body portion, an interior area, a longitudinal axis, an first end, an second end, and an outer surface; at least one outflow barb extending from the outer surface of the stem adjacent to the first end of the stent structure and toward the second end of the stent structure; at least one inflow barb extending from the outer surface of the stent adjacent to the second end of the stent structure and toward the first end of the stent structure; and a valve structure attached within the interior area of the stent structure.

Abstract: Excessive dilation of the annulus of a mitral valve may lead to regurgitation of blood during ventricular contraction. This regurgitation may lead to a reduction in cardiac output. Disclosed are systems and methods relating to an implant configured for reshaping a mitral valve. The implant comprises a plurality of struts with anchors for tissue engagement. The implant is compressible to a first, reduced diameter for transluminal navigation and delivery to the left atrium of a heart. The implant may then expand to a second, enlarged diameter to embed its anchors to the tissue surrounding and/or including the mitral valve. The implant may then contract to a third, intermediate diameter, pulling the tissue radially inwardly, thereby reducing the mitral valve and lessening any of the associated symptoms including mitral regurgitation.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods related to various heart valve implants and for delivery of those heart valve implants are described. The implants may be used to re-size a native valve annulus or to replace a native heart valve. The implants include a re-sizable frame having angled struts. Anchors secure the implant to tissue and collars are used to decrease the angle between the struts and contract the frame. The implant thus expands from a first size inside of a delivery catheter, to a second and larger deployed size inside the heart to engage and anchor with the tissue, and then to a third and contracted size to re-size the annulus and/or provide a secure fit for a replacement heart valve. Various delivery systems including imaging capabilities for precise delivery, positioning and anchoring of the various implants are further described.

Abstract: A stented valve including a stent structure having a generally tubular body portion, an interior area, a longitudinal axis, an first end, an second end, and an outer surface; at least one outflow barb extending from the outer surface of the stent adjacent to the first end of the stent structure and toward the second end of the stent structure; at least one inflow barb extending from the outer surface of the stent adjacent to the second end of the stent structure and toward the first end of the stent structure; and a valve structure attached within the interior area of the stent structure.

Abstract: A system includes a medical device for implanting in a valve of a subject, the implantable medical device having a self-expanding frame; and a holder configured to retain the frame of the implantable medical device in a constricted configuration and to control expansion of the frame. The holder has a controllably constrictable and expandable loop, wherein the loop is disposed about at least a portion of the self-expanding frame such that constriction or expansion of the first loop controls constriction or expansion of the frame.

Abstract: Disclosed is an implantable mitral valve having an adjustable support. The support comprises a plurality of pairs of adjacent struts joined at apexes and a plurality of anchors for tissue engagement. The implant is adjustable to a first, reduced diameter for transluminal navigation and delivery to the left atrium of a heart. The implant may then expand to a second, enlarged diameter for the step of embedding the anchors into tissue surrounding and/or including the mitral valve. The implant may then be adjusted to a third, intermediate diameter, pulling the tissue radially inwardly, thereby reducing the native mitral valve annulus and supporting the prosthetic mitral valve.

Abstract: A delivery system for use with a prosthetic heart valve having a stent frame to which a valve structure is attached, includes a shaft assembly including a distal end and a coupling structure disposed near the distal end and configured to be coupled to a distal end of the prosthetic heart valve. The system includes a sheath assembly defining a lumen sized to slidably receive the shaft assembly. The delivery system is configured to transition from a loaded state in which the sheath assembly encompasses the prosthetic heart valve to a deployed state in which the sheath assembly is withdrawn from the prosthetic heart valve. The coupling structure is configured to provide a controlled expansion or contraction of the distal end of the prosthetic heart valve based on longitudinal movement of the distal end of the shaft assembly.

Abstract: Excessive dilation of the annulus of a mitral valve may lead to regurgitation of blood during ventricular contraction. This regurgitation may lead to a reduction in cardiac output. Disclosed are systems and methods relating to an implant configured for reshaping a mitral valve. The implant comprises a plurality of struts with anchors for tissue engagement. The implant is compressible to a first, reduced diameter for transluminal navigation and delivery to the left atrium of a heart. The implant may then expand to a second, enlarged diameter to embed its anchors to the tissue surrounding and/or including the mitral valve. The implant may then contract to a third, intermediate diameter, pulling the tissue radially inwardly, thereby reducing the mitral valve and lessening any of the associated symptoms including mitral regurgitation.

Abstract: Methods related to delivery of various heart valve implants are described. The implant may be delivered using an ultrasound imaging delivery system. The ultrasound imaging delivery system may be used to deliver a variety of different devices, including mitral valve reshaping devices, mitral valve replacement valves, and others. A deployment catheter carrying an implant having a tissue anchor is advanced to a deployment site in a heart. An imaging element is positioned adjacent the implant and a relationship between the tissue anchor and an anatomical landmark in the heart is visualized. The implant is then attached by driving the tissue anchor into tissue in the heart.

Abstract: A delivery system for use with a prosthetic heart valve having a stent frame to which a valve structure is attached, includes a shaft assembly including a distal end and a coupling structure disposed near the distal end and configured to be coupled to a distal end of the prosthetic heart valve. The system includes a sheath assembly defining a lumen sized to slidably receive the shaft assembly. The delivery system is configured to transition from a loaded state in which the sheath assembly encompasses the prosthetic heart valve to a deployed state in which the sheath assembly is withdrawn from the prosthetic heart valve. The coupling structure is configured to provide a controlled expansion or contraction of the distal end of the prosthetic heart valve based on longitudinal movement of the distal end of the shaft assembly.

Abstract: A valve prosthesis includes an expandable frame comprising an outflow portion and an inflow portion connected to the outflow portion. The frame defines a central lumen extending between the outflow portion and the inflow portion. The frame is generally cylindrical in a fully expanded configuration. When the frame is in the fully expanded configuration, an outer surface of the inflow portion is concave. The inflow portion has an upper inflow portion and a lower inflow portion. When the frame is in the fully expanded configuration, the upper inflow portion flares outwardly from the central lumen of the frame to greater extent than the lower inflow portion.

Abstract: Features for a heart valve device are described. The device may include a frame with anchors configured to secure the device to tissue. The frame may include a flared end or skirt for additional securement of the implanted device. The device may include a seal such as a barrier and/or cuff for preventing leakage. The device may contract for endovascular delivery of the device to the heart and expand for securement within the heart, such as the within the native mitral valve annulus. The device may include a replacement valve. The valve may have leaflets configured to re-direct blood flow along a primary flow axis.

Abstract: A valve prosthesis includes an expandable frame. The expandable frame has an outflow portion and an inflow portion connected to the outflow portion. The frame defines a central lumen extending between the outflow portion and the inflow portion. The frame is generally cylindrical in a fully expanded configuration. When the frame is in the fully expanded configuration, an outer surface of the inflow portion is concave. The inflow portion has an upper inflow portion and a lower inflow portion. When the frame is in the fully expanded configuration, the upper inflow portion flares outwardly from the central lumen of the frame to greater extent than the lower inflow portion.

Abstract: A dispensing mechanism for delivering a dosage of medicament including a housing having a proximal-distal axis; a plunger rod having a screw thread and configured to advance along the proximal-distal axis relative to the housing; a user-operable push button moveable along the proximal-distal axis relative to the housing; a twist driver threadably engaged with the push button such that movement of the push button towards the distal end of the housing causes rotation of the twist driver about the proximal-distal axis; and a driver engaged with the twist driver such that rotation of the twist driver causes rotation of the driver, the driver also engaged with a portion of the plunger rod such that rotation of the driver causes rotation of the plunger rod, advancing the plunger rod along the proximal-distal axis relative to the housing.

Abstract: A metering apparatus may be configured to control flow of material from a reservoir to control the amount of material applied, dispensed, and/or spread to a field while a vehicle traverses the field. The metering apparatus may include an auger portion located in an elevator channel to control the flow of material out of a reservoir opening of the reservoir.

Abstract: Disclosed is an implantable mitral valve having an adjustable support. The support comprises a plurality of pairs of adjacent struts joined at apexes and a plurality of anchors for tissue engagement. The implant is adjustable to a first, reduced diameter for transluminal navigation and delivery to the left atrium of a heart. The implant may then expand to a second, enlarged diameter for the step of embedding the anchors into tissue surrounding and/or including the mitral valve. The implant may then be adjusted to a third, intermediate diameter, pulling the tissue radially inwardly, thereby reducing the native mitral valve annulus and supporting the prosthetic mitral valve.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods relating to an implant configured for reshaping a mitral valve. The implant comprises a plurality of struts with anchors for tissue engagement. The implant is compressible to a first, reduced diameter for transluminal or transapical navigation and delivery to the left atrium of a heart. The implant may then expand to a second, enlarged diameter to embed its anchors to the tissue surrounding and/or including the mitral valve. The size and/or shape of the implant may then be adjusted, pulling mitral annulus tissue radially inwardly, and restrained in the adjusted configuration to improve mitral valve function.

Abstract: Excessive dilation of the annulus of a mitral valve may lead to regurgitation of blood during ventricular contraction. This regurgitation may lead to a reduction in cardiac output. Disclosed are systems and methods relating to an implant configured for reshaping a mitral valve. The implant comprises a plurality of struts with anchors for tissue engagement. The implant is compressible to a first, reduced diameter for transluminal navigation and delivery to the left atrium of a heart. The implant may then expand to a second, enlarged diameter to embed its anchors to the tissue surrounding and/or including the mitral valve. The implant may then contract to a third, intermediate diameter, pulling the tissue radially inwardly, thereby reducing the mitral valve and lessening any of the associated symptoms including mitral regurgitation.

Abstract: Excessive dilation of the annulus of a mitral valve may lead to regurgitation of blood during ventricular contraction. This regurgitation may lead to a reduction in cardiac output. Disclosed are systems and methods relating to an implant configured for reshaping a mitral valve. The implant comprises a plurality of struts with anchors for tissue engagement. The implant is compressible to a first, reduced diameter for transluminal navigation and delivery to the left atrium of a heart. The implant may then expand to a second, enlarged diameter to embed its anchors to the tissue surrounding and/or including the mitral valve. The implant may then contract to a third, intermediate diameter, pulling the tissue radially inwardly, thereby reducing the mitral valve and lessening any of the associated symptoms including mitral regurgitation.

Abstract: The delivery systems disclosed herein can create simultaneous movement of an inner and an outer sheath of the delivery system. The delivery systems can generally include a handle assembly and a delivery catheter. In certain embodiments, the inner shaft and the outer sheath can be slidably controlled by a control element in the handle. The handle assembly can include a housing with a thumbwheel acting as the control element. In certain embodiments, movement of the inner shaft and the outer sheath can be caused via a gear-type system. In certain embodiments, the handle assembly can include a rotatable housing. A control element can rotate the housing, which can cause a first boss associated with the outer sheath and a second boss associated with the inner shaft to move in opposite directions.