Abstract: An introducer sheath assembly includes an expandable introducer sheath including an expandable braid defining an elongate tubular member moveable between a collapsed configuration for delivery and an expanded configuration for deployment, the expandable braid having a first length when in the collapsed configuration and a second, reduced, length when in the expanded configuration. The introducer sheath assembly includes a dilator adapted to releasably hold the expandable introducer sheath in its collapsed configuration for delivery until the dilator is actuated to release the expandable braid from the dilator, thereby permitting the expandable braid to expand to its expanded configuration.

Abstract: An improved guidewire may include an elongate shaft including a distal section and a proximal section extending proximally from the distal section. The elongate shaft includes a coiled portion disposed within the distal section. The coiled portion is curved in a first direction in a first plane. The elongate shaft includes a reverse curve portion curved in a second direction opposite the first direction. The reverse curve portion is disposed proximal of the coiled portion. A kit for forming the improved guidewire may include a guidewire having a coiled portion and a forming tool configured to form a reverse curve portion in the guidewire proximal of the coiled portion.

Abstract: Methods and systems for securing a medical implant at a valve. An illustrative method may include advancing a delivery system though a vasculature to a target location. At the target location, the delivery system may be proximally retracted to expose a medical implant carried within a lumen of the delivery system. The medical implant may be radially expanded from a collapsed delivery configuration an expanded deployed configuration. A fixation mechanism delivery system may be advanced through the vasculature to the target location. A first fixation mechanism configured to engage a native tissue and a portion of the medical implant may be deployed from the fixation mechanism delivery system. After deploying the fixation mechanism, the medical implant may be released from the delivery system.

Abstract: A heart valve remodeling device may include a delivery device including an inner shaft slidably disposed over a guidewire and an outer shaft slidably disposed over the inner shaft, and a braided stent fixedly attached to the inner shaft and the outer shaft. The braided stent may be translatable between an elongated configuration and a deployed configuration by movement of the inner shaft relative to the outer shaft. The braided stent may include a valve having two or more leaflets disposed within the braided stent. Adjacent leaflets of the two or more leaflets may form longitudinally-oriented commissures proximate a perimeter of the valve, the commissures being fixedly secured to the braided stent along their length.

Abstract: A medical device system may include a valve replacement implant including an anchor member reversibly actuatable between a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the implant includes at least one locking element configured to lock the anchor member in the deployed configuration, and at least one actuator element configured to engage the at least one locking element and actuate the anchor member between the delivery configuration and the deployed configuration. The at least one actuator element may include a self-biased cam mechanism configured to extend into and engage a first locking portion of the at least one locking element.

Abstract: A replacement heart valve system may include an expandable docking station configured for implantation within a native heart valve. The expandable docking station may include a plurality of sacrificial valve leaflets disposed within a braided anchoring element defining a lumen extending through the braided anchoring element. The replacement heart valve system may include a replacement heart valve implant configured to be disposed within the lumen of the expandable docking station. The replacement heart valve implant may include a plurality of valve leaflets disposed within a tubular anchor member defining a lumen extending through the tubular anchor member.

Abstract: A heart valve remodeling device may include a delivery device including an inner shaft slidably disposed over a guidewire and an outer shaft slidably disposed over the inner shaft, and a braided stent fixedly attached to the inner shaft and the outer shaft. The braided stent may be translatable between an elongated configuration and a deployed configuration by movement of the inner shaft relative to the outer shaft. The braided stent may include a valve having two or more leaflets disposed within the braided stent. Adjacent leaflets of the two or more leaflets may form longitudinally-oriented commissures proximate a perimeter of the valve, the commissures being fixedly secured to the braided stent along their length.

Abstract: A medical device system may include a valve replacement implant including an anchor member reversibly actuatable between a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the implant includes at least one locking element configured to lock the anchor member in the deployed configuration, and at least one actuator element configured to engage the at least one locking element and actuate the anchor member between the delivery configuration and the deployed configuration. The at least one actuator element may include a self-biased cam mechanism configured to extend into and engage a first locking portion of the at least one locking element.