Abstract: An apparatus for partially supporting a leaflet of a regurgitant heart valve includes at least one subvalvular device including a subvalvular supporting portion and an anchor portion. The subvalvular supporting portion and anchor portion are each at least partially formed from at least one of braided mesh strands of a first configuration, braided mesh strands of a second configuration, a balloon, a plurality of longitudinally extending struts, and a plurality of laterally extending struts. A connector neck is interposed longitudinally between, and is attached to both of, the subvalvular supporting portion and the anchor portion. The connector neck penetrates longitudinally through at least one of a base of the leaflet and an annulus of the heart valve at a manufactured puncture site.

Abstract: A catheter has a jacket (10, 11, 5) defining a lumen and a helical support (6). The catheter has a proximal portion (1) and a distal portion (3), the distal portion having for at least some of its length a corrugated outer surface. A transition portion has a flexural stiffness which is less than that of the distal portion and more than that of the proximal portion. The transition portion provides an optimum transition in flexural stiffness by way of features of the jacket including geometry of jacket corrugations (15), or overlapping tubular layers (1073, 1074). The distal end of the distal portion may have an extension of liner material folded over (1072, 1082) to provide a particularly soft tip. In other examples the liner is terminated (763) before the distal tip. The catheter is particularly suited to an aspiration device (1350) with a flow restrictor (1353) and the distal portion distal of the flow restrictor.

Abstract: A catheter has a jacket (10, 11, 5) defining a lumen and a helical support (6). The catheter has a proximal portion (4) and a distal portion (3), the distal portion having for at least some of its length a corrugated outer surface. A transition portion has a flexural stiffness which is less than that of the distal portion and more than that of the proximal portion. The transition portion provides an optimum transition in flexural stiffness by way of features of the jacket including geometry of jacket corrugations (15), or overlapping tubular layers (1073, 1074). The distal end of the distal portion may have an extension of liner material folded over (1072, 1082) to provide a particularly soft tip. In other examples the liner is terminated (763) before the distal tip. The catheter is particularly suited to an aspiration device (1350) with a flow restrictor (1353) and the distal portion distal of the flow restrictor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for performing the removal of thrombus from a vessel lumen. More particularly the present invention relates to a thrombectomy system that includes an elongate catheter and a disposable aspiration pump and methods of performing medical procedures to remove clots, thrombus and emboli to re-establish the normal intravascular flow of blood.

Abstract: A catheter has a jacket (10, 11, 5) defining a lumen and a helical support (6). The catheter has a proximal portion (1) and a distal portion (3), the distal portion having for at least some of its length a corrugated outer surface. A transition portion has a flexural stiffness which is less than that of the distal portion and more than that of the proximal portion. The transition portion provides an optimum transition in flexural stiffness by way of features of the jacket including geometry of jacket corrugations (15), or overlapping tubular layers (1073, 1074). The distal end of the distal portion may have an extension of liner material folded over (1072, 1082) to provide a particularly soft tip. In other examples the liner is terminated (763) before the distal tip. The catheter is particularly suited to an aspiration device (1350) with a flow restrictor (1353) and the distal portion distal of the flow restrictor.

Abstract: A golf putter has a head and a shaft affixed to the head, the head having a front face for striking a ball and a rear face and is constructed and designed to assist the golfer in aligning the putter for propelling the ball to be putted in the desired direction. The head comprises a central section with a front face, the central section extending from proximate the head's front face towards the head's rear face and tapering rearward outwardly in width in plan, and a pair of side sections flanking sides of the central section, the side sections each having a front face adjacent the front face of the central section and being of a tapering configuration along the sides of the central section. The central sections and the side sections are oppositely transparent or opaque, allowing them to be visually distinguished from each other and providing visual cues for aligning the putter.

Abstract: A golf putter has a head and a shaft affixed to the head, the head having a front face for striking a ball and a rear face and is constructed and designed to assist the golfer in aligning the putter for propelling the ball to be putted in the desired direction. The head comprises a central section with a front face, the central section extending from proximate the head's front face towards the head's rear face and tapering rearward outwardly in width in plan, and a pair of side sections flanking sides of the central section, the side sections each having a front face adjacent the front face of the central section and being of a tapering configuration along the sides of the central section. The central sections and the side sections are oppositely transparent or opaque, allowing them to be visually distinguished from each other and providing visual cues for aligning the putter.

Abstract: A blood circulation assist system comprising an inflow cannula having a lumen and an insertion device configured to be received therein and to facilitate insertion of a portion of the inflow cannula into a heart chamber. The insertion device includes a shaft having distal and proximal end portions and a plurality of lumens. A first lumen is configured to receive a guidewire and a second lumen is configured to receive a pressurized fluid. A tip connected to the distal end portion of the shaft is configured for insertion into the heart chamber. The tip has a hollow interior communicating with the first shaft lumen. An inflatable member is coupled to the distal end portion of the shaft and includes a hollow interior in fluid communication with the second shaft lumen. The inflatable member is movable between deflated and inflated configurations for releasably securing the insertion device to the inflow cannula.

Abstract: A vascular occlusion device deployment system can deploy an occlusion device at a preselected site within the vasculature of a patient. The deployment system includes a pusher which employs an elongated member that releases an embolic device when a breakpoint of the elongated member is fractured by applying torque to the breakpoint such as by rotating the elongated member.

Abstract: A vascular occlusion device deployment system is for deploying an occlusion device at a preselected site within the vasculature of a patient. The deployment system comprises a pusher which employs an elongated member that has a connecting projection that engages a pathway defined by an embolic device. The connecting projection is cleared from the pathway of the embolic device to release the embolic device.

Abstract: An embolic element may be manufactured by twisting a length of wire about a longitudinal axis thereof, the wire having at least one flat portion along its length, to cause the flat portion to form a generally helical shape. The length of wire is then optionally wound onto a mandrel by bending of the wire to form a three-dimensional shape.

Abstract: An angioplasty balloon including a non-deployable stent to prevent or reduce the potential for slippage of the inflated balloon with respect to the vessel wall being treated. The balloon includes a non-deployable stent that is adapted to be secured to the balloon or angioplasty balloon catheter. The stent has a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one extension section, at least one set of serpentine rings and at least one set of elongation links that allow expansion of the strut to accommodate the inflation of the balloon. The stent is made of a material so that the stent collapses upon deflation of the balloon.

Abstract: An angioplasty balloon including a non-deployable stent to prevent or reduce the potential for slippage of the inflated balloon withe respect to the vessel wall being treated. The balloon includes a non-deployable stent that is adapted to be secured to the balloon or angioplasty balloon catheter. The stent has a proximal end, a distal end, and at least three radially-spaced struts, each strut connecting the proximal end to the distal end and having one or more bends that allow expansion of the strut to accommodate the inflation of the balloon. The stent is made of a material so that the stent collapses upon deflation or the balloon.