Abstract: Apparatus, for use at a valve of a heart of a subject, includes a first catheter, a second catheter, and a translation element. The translation element is connected to, and operatively joins, the distal ends of the first catheter and the second catheter. The translation element is operable to translate the distal ends laterally with respect to each other to transition the apparatus between (i) a first state in which the distal ends are held next to each other for transluminal advancement to the heart, and (ii) a second state in which the distal ends are spaced apart from each other for positioning at a first location on the annulus and a second location on the annulus, respectively. The apparatus is configured to, while in the second state, from the distal ends, anchor a first tissue anchor at the first location, and a second tissue anchor at the second location.

Abstract: A catheter system including a wire, a translatable catheter, and first and second tethers is introduced into a body of a subject. The translatable catheter has a curved portion proximate a distal end of the translatable catheter. The first tether is coupled to the wire, and passes proximally through the translatable catheter. The second tether is attached to the curved portion. The catheter system is positioned such that the wire is disposed at a first location in the body. While the wire remains at the first location, the translatable catheter is translated away from the wire by manipulating the first tether and the second tether. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A first end of a wire is transluminally penetrated through tissue at a first cardiovascular site of a subject. A capture device is transluminally advanced into the subject, and is used to capture the first end of the wire and pull the first end of the wire away from the first cardiovascular site. From the first end of the wire, a first anchor is tracked along the wire, and is then anchored to the tissue at the first cardiovascular site. A second anchor is anchored to tissue at a second cardiovascular site. Subsequently, the first and second cardiovascular sites are drawn together by applying tension between the first and second anchors. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A first end of a wire is transluminally advanced to a location adjacent an atrium of a heart of a subject, while a second end of the wire remains disposed outside of the subject. From the location, the first end of the wire is penetrated through tissue into the atrium. A capture device is transluminally advanced into the atrium. Using the capture device, the first end of the wire is captured and pulled out of the subject. From the first end of the wire, a first anchor is tracked along the wire into the atrium, and is anchored to an annulus of a valve of the heart. A second anchor is advanced into the atrium, and is anchored to the annulus. Subsequently, the annulus is reshaped by applying tension between the first and second anchors.

Abstract: A first end of a wire is transluminally advanced to a location adjacent an atrium of a heart of a subject, while a second end of the wire remains disposed outside of the subject. From the location, the first end of the wire is penetrated through tissue into the atrium. A capture device is transluminally advanced into the atrium. Using the capture device, the first end of the wire is captured and pulled out of the subject. From the first end of the wire, a first anchor is tracked along the wire into the atrium, and is anchored to an annulus of a valve of the heart. A second anchor is advanced into the atrium, and is anchored to the annulus. Subsequently, the annulus is reshaped by applying tension between the first and second anchors.

Abstract: A catheter system including a wire, a translatable catheter, and first and second tethers is introduced into a body of a subject. The translatable catheter has a curved portion proximate a distal end of the translatable catheter. The first tether is coupled to the wire, and passes proximally through the translatable catheter. The second tether is attached to the curved portion. The catheter system is positioned such that the wire is disposed at a first location in the body. While the wire remains at the first location, the translatable catheter is translated away from the wire by manipulating the first tether and the second tether. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system is provided for delivering respective anchors into spaced apart locations along an annulus of a mitral valve. The system includes a first catheter member having a first lumen formed therein for receiving a first guide wire and also includes a second catheter member that is configured to move between an expanded position and a collapsed position relative to the first catheter member. The second catheter member has a lumen formed therein for receiving a second guide wire when the second catheter member is in the expanded position. The second catheter member is fixedly connected to the first catheter member by a first connector (that defines first and second living hinges) which is configured to deploy under a select condition to automatically cause the second catheter member to move to the expanded position.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems, devices and methods may employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems, devices and methods may employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems, devices and methods may employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a steerable guide catheter includes a handle and an elongated shaft extending outwardly away from and being coupled to the handle. The shaft has a distal end opposite the handle. The shaft further has a first preformed curved section at the distal end and a second preformed curved section that is located proximal to the first preformed curved section. The two preformed curved sections can be fabricated as part of a molding process whereby the two preformed curved sections are effectively “baked in” the catheter shaft. The guide catheter also has a steering mechanism for controllably steering at least the first preformed curved section at the distal end. The steering mechanism is coupled between the handle and elongated shaft and being configured such that actuation of the steering mechanism causes the first preformed curved section to be bent in at least two planes.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems, devices and methods may employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems, devices and methods may employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems, devices and methods may employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.

Abstract: An improved arterial catheter device for capturing emboli within the aorta and other arteries is described. The system typically includes an elongated catheter member bearing a filtration apparatus disposed at its the distal region, comprising a filter membrane and a mechanism for deploying and collapsing the filter. For reliable deployment, the deployment mechanism comprises at least one pair of struts, one being a compression strut and the other a tension strut. In use, the catheter is positioned so that the filter membrane is down stream from the possible embolic source and upstream from any vital organs of concern. When deployed the filter membrane will capture emboli from the blood stream, and upon filter removal will extract the emboli from the patient.

Abstract: An improved arterial catheter device for capturing emboli within the aorta and other arteries is described. The system typically includes an elongated catheter member bearing a filtration apparatus disposed at its the distal region, comprising a filter membrane and a mechanism for deploying and collapsing the filter. For reliable deployment, the deployment mechanism comprises at least one pair of struts, one being a compression strut and the other a tension strut. In use, the catheter is positioned so that the filter membrane is down stream from the possible embolic source and upstream from any vital organs of concern. When deployed the filter membrane will capture emboli from the blood stream, and upon filter removal will extract the emboli from the patient.

Abstract: A balloon dilatation catheter adapted for use in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty has an integral guidewire. The balloon and its supporting members are not attached to the guidewire at their distal ends. The supporting members are attached at their proximal ends to the guidewire. The guidewire has an increased freedom of rotational movement and the balloon and its supporting members do not adversely twist about the guidewire.

Abstract: A balloon dilation catheter adapted for use in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty has an integral guidewire. The balloon and its supporting members are not attached to the guidewire at their distal ends. The supporting members are attached at their proximal ends to the guidewire. The guidewire has an increased freedom of rotational movement and the balloon and its supporting members do not adversely twist about the guidewire.