Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of securing suture within a patient. The method comprises advancing suture material into the patient, passing a portion of the suture material through tissue of the patient, and advancing a fastener catheter and a suture fastener along the suture material. The fastener catheter includes a catheter main body and a handle. The suture fastener has a generally cylindrical body formed of a shape memory material and a suture fastener inner lumen. The suture fastener has at least one engagement tab biased to extend at least partially into the suture fastener inner lumen to engage against and secure one or more lines of suture passing through the suture fastener.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of securing suture within a patient. The method comprises advancing suture material into the patient, passing a portion of the suture material through tissue of the patient, and advancing a fastener catheter and a suture fastener along the suture material. The fastener catheter includes a catheter main body and a handle. The suture fastener has a generally cylindrical body formed of a shape memory material and a suture fastener inner lumen. The suture fastener has at least one engagement tab biased to extend at least partially into the suture fastener inner lumen to engage against and secure one or more lines of suture passing through the suture fastener.

Abstract: The present invention is various systems for repairing tissue within the heart of a patient. The system of the present invention includes a guide catheter, a therapy catheter, and a fastener catheter. The therapy catheter and the fastener catheter are capable of traversing the internal lumen of the guide catheter. The fastener catheter is capable of introducing a suture clip to a desired position along suture line, deploying the suture clip to secure the suture and cutting excess suture. In addition, the present invention discloses various methods for repairing tissue.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to various systems for repairing tissue within the heart of a patient. The mitral valve repair system of the present invention comprises a guide catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one internal lumen formed therein, a therapy catheter capable of applying a suture to the tissue, and a fastener catheter capable of attaching a fastener to the suture. The therapy catheter and the fastener catheter are capable of traversing the internal lumen of the guide catheter. In addition, the present invention discloses various methods for repairing tissue within the heart of a patient.

Abstract: A clip for securing suture includes a generally tubular body, with one or more tabs cut from the wall of the generally tubular. The tab in an open configuration has the tabs in general alignment with the tab out wall, and the tab in a closed configuration has the tabs bent or otherwise positioned to extend into and at least partially obstruct the inner lumen. The tab may be formed as a generally horse-shoe shaped cut out, and may include a generally elliptical portion having a width and length. The tab may have a width generally the same size as the diameter of the inner lumen. The clip can be formed from memory material such as nitinol, and the clip may be biased toward its closed configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for repairing septal defects includes advancing a catheter to the site of the defect, grasping opposing edges of the defect, passing one or more suture lines through the opposing edges, and tightening the suture lines. The catheter can include one or more vacuum ports, with the vacuum ports being sized and configured to grasp opposing edges of the defect when vacuum is applied thereto. The vacuum ports may be positioned longitudinally distant from each other along the catheter, and may also be on different sides of the catheter. The vacuum ports may have vacuum applied via independent control. The catheter can also include suture deploying structure that prevents the suture line from becoming entangled in the catheter.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to various systems for repairing tissue within the heart of a patient. The mitral valve repair system of the present invention comprises a guide catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one internal lumen formed therein, a therapy catheter capable of applying a suture to the tissue, and a fastener catheter capable of attaching a fastener to the suture. The therapy catheter and the fastener catheter are capable of traversing the internal lumen of the guide catheter. In addition, the present invention discloses various methods for repairing tissue within the heart of a patient.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to various systems for repairing tissue within the heart of a patient. The mitral valve repair system of the present invention comprises a guide catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one internal lumen formed therein, a therapy catheter capable of applying a suture to the tissue, and a fastener catheter capable of attaching a fastener to the suture. The therapy catheter and the fastener catheter are capable of traversing the internal lumen of the guide catheter. In addition, the present invention discloses various methods for repairing tissue within the heart of a patient.

Abstract: A clip for securing suture includes a generally tubular body, with one or more tabs cut from the wall of the generally tubular. The tab in an open configuration has the tabs in general alignment with the tab out wall, and the tab in a closed configuration has the tabs bent or otherwise positioned to extend into and at least partially obstruct the inner lumen. The tab may be formed as a generally horse-shoe shaped cut out, and may include a generally elliptical portion having a width and length. The tab may have a width generally the same size as the diameter of the inner lumen. The clip can be formed from memory material such as nitinol, and the clip may be biased toward its closed configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for repairing septal defects includes advancing a catheter to the site of the defect, grasping opposing edges of the defect, passing one or more suture lines through the opposing edges, and tightening the suture lines. The catheter can include one or more vacuum ports, with the vacuum ports being sized and configured to grasp opposing edges of the defect when vacuum is applied thereto. The vacuum ports may be positioned longitudinally distant from each other along the catheter, and may also be on different sides of the catheter. The vacuum ports may have vacuum applied via independent control. The catheter can also include suture deploying structure that prevents the suture line from becoming entangled in the catheter.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to various systems for repairing tissue within the heart of a patient. The mitral valve repair system of the present invention comprises a guide catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one internal lumen formed therein, a therapy catheter capable of applying a suture to the tissue, and a fastener catheter capable of attaching a fastener to the suture. The therapy catheter and the fastener catheter are capable of traversing the internal lumen of the guide catheter. In addition, the present invention discloses various methods for repairing tissue within the heart of a patient.