Abstract: In a representative embodiment, an implantable assembly for a native heart valve comprises a prosthetic heart valve and first and second inflatable bodies. The prosthetic heart valve can comprise a frame and prosthetic leaflets. The first inflatable body can comprise first and second end portions, wherein the first end portion is configured to be secured to tissue of the native heart valve at a first location, and the second end portion is configured to engage an outer surface of the prosthetic valve. The second inflatable body can comprise third and fourth end portions, wherein the third end portion is configured to be secured to tissue of the native heart valve at a second location, and the fourth end portion is configured to engage the outer surface of the prosthetic valve. The first and second inflatable bodies anchor the prosthetic valve within the annulus of the native heart valve.

Abstract: An implantable heart valve device has a main body including a first end portion and a second end portion. The main body is configured to be implanted around a native leaflet of a heart valve such that the first end portion is on an atrial side of the leaflet and the second end portion is on a ventricular side of the leaflet, and such that the main body can coapt with an opposing native leaflet during operation of the heart valve. One of the first or second end portions comprises a coupling assembly, and the other of the first or second end portions comprises a coupling member configured to extend through the native leaflet when the heart valve device is implanted in a heart valve. The coupling assembly is configured to releasably engage the coupling member to permit adjustment of the relative positions of the first and second end portions.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for securing sutures that obviate the need for tying knots. A device can be applied to adjacent suture portions that heats the suture portions and causes the suture portions to fuse together, effectively securing the suture portions together without a knot. The device can include a handle, an outer shaft coupled to the handle, an inner shaft movable proximally and distally within the outer shaft; a suture holder at the distal end portion of the outer shaft, and an electrical heating element positioned within the outer shaft. Actuation of the device causes the inner shaft and the heating element to move distally relative to the outer shaft and the suture holder, such that the heating element moves into the proximity of the suture holder to fuse together sutures held by the suture holder.

Abstract: A cardiac implant system including a cardiac implant such as an annuloplasty ring, a prosthetic heart valve, or a valved conduit pre-assembled at the time of manufacture with devices for securing the implant to a heart valve annulus using knotless suture fasteners. The knotless suture fasteners may be embedded within a pliant sealing edge of the cardiac implant, or they may be positioned adjacent to the sealing edge. The knotless suture fasteners are spring-biased so as to grip onto annulus anchoring sutures pass to therethrough upon removal of a restraining device, such as a hypotube inserted within the suture fasteners. Guide tubes are assembled in line with the suture fasteners to permit introduction of suture snares that pass through the suture fasteners and through the sealing edge to facilitate capture of the pre-installed annulus anchoring sutures.

Abstract: An implantable heart valve device has a main body including a first end portion and a second end portion. The main body is configured to be implanted around a native leaflet of a heart valve such that the first end portion is on an atrial side of the leaflet and the second end portion is on a ventricular side of the leaflet, and such that the main body can coapt with an opposing native leaflet during operation of the heart valve. One of the first or second end portions comprises a coupling assembly, and the other of the first or second end portions comprises a coupling member configured to extend through the native leaflet when the heart valve device is implanted in a heart valve. The coupling assembly is configured to releasably engage the coupling member to permit adjustment of the relative positions of the first and second end portions.

Abstract: In a representative embodiment, an implantable assembly for a native heart valve comprises a prosthetic heart valve and first and second inflatable bodies. The prosthetic heart valve can comprise a frame and prosthetic leaflets. The first inflatable body can comprise first and second end portions, wherein the first end portion is configured to be secured to tissue of the native heart valve at a first location, and the second end portion is configured to engage an outer surface of the prosthetic valve. The second inflatable body can comprise third and fourth end portions, wherein the third end portion is configured to be secured to tissue of the native heart valve at a second location, and the fourth end portion is configured to engage the outer surface of the prosthetic valve. The first and second inflatable bodies anchor the prosthetic valve within the annulus of the native heart valve.

Abstract: A device is described that has an instrument portion secured to a sleeve/cuff portion, where the sleeve/cuff portion is configured to receive a portion of user's finger therein and to radially compress onto the user's finger to hold the instrument portion thereon. The present invention is particularly well suited for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures. The present invention also teaches a method of forming a knot in suture material as well as other techniques for treating patients.

Abstract: A device is described which has an instrument portion secured to a sleeve/cuff portion, where the sleeve/cuff portion is configured to receive a portion of user's finger therein and to radially compress onto the user's finger to hold the instrument portion thereon. The present invention is particularly well suited for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures. The present invention also teaches a method of forming a knot in suture material as well as other techniques for treating patients.

Abstract: In a representative embodiment, an implantable prosthetic heart valve device comprises an elongated body having first and second end portions, the body being configured to be implanted around a native leaflet of a heart valve such that the first end portion is on an atrial side of the leaflet and the second end portion is on a ventricular side of the leaflet and such that the body can coapt with and move away from an opposing native leaflet during operation of the heart valve. The device can further comprises a fastener configured to be mounted on a suture that extends from one of the first or second end portions, through the native leaflet and through the other of the first or second end portions such that the body is secured to the native leaflet.

Abstract: A cardiac implant system including a cardiac implant such as an annuloplasty ring, a prosthetic heart valve, or a valved conduit pre-assembled at the time of manufacture with devices for securing the implant to a heart valve annulus using knotless suture fasteners. The knotless suture fasteners may be embedded within a pliant sealing edge of the cardiac implant, or they may be positioned adjacent to the sealing edge. The knotless suture fasteners are spring-biased so as to grip onto annulus anchoring sutures pass to therethrough upon removal of a restraining device, such as a hypotube inserted within the suture fasteners. Guide tubes are assembled in line with the suture fasteners to permit introduction of suture snares that pass through the suture fasteners and through the sealing edge to facilitate capture of the pre-installed annulus anchoring sutures.

Abstract: In a representative embodiment, an implantable prosthetic heart valve device comprises an elongated body having first and second end portions, the body being configured to be implanted around a native leaflet of a heart valve such that the first end portion is on an atrial side of the leaflet and the second end portion is on a ventricular side of the leaflet and such that the body can coapt with and move away from an opposing native leaflet during operation of the heart valve. The device can further comprises a fastener configured to be mounted on a suture that extends from one of the first or second end portions, through the native leaflet and through the other of the first or second end portions such that the body is secured to the native leaflet.

Abstract: A cardiac implant system including a cardiac implant such as an annuloplasty ring, a prosthetic heart valve, or a valved conduit pre-assembled at the time of manufacture with devices for securing the implant to a heart valve annulus using knotless suture fasteners. The knotless suture fasteners may be embedded within a pliant sealing edge of the cardiac implant, or they may be positioned adjacent to the sealing edge. The knotless suture fasteners are spring-biased so as to grip onto annulus anchoring sutures pass to therethrough upon removal of a restraining device, such as a hypotube inserted within the suture fasteners. Guide tubes are assembled in line with the suture fasteners to permit introduction of suture snares that pass through the suture fasteners and through the sealing edge to facilitate capture of the pre-installed annulus anchoring sutures.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for securing sutures that obviate the need for tying knots. Instead of tying two ends of a suture or two sutures together with a knot, two or more suture portions can be fused or cauterized together using heat. A device can be applied to adjacent suture portions that heats the suture portions and causes the suture portions to fuse together, effectively securing the suture portions together without a knot.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for securing sutures that obviate the need for tying knots. Instead of tying two ends of a suture or two sutures together with a knot, two or more suture portions can be fused or cauterized together using heat. A device can be applied to adjacent suture portions that heats the suture portions and causes the suture portions to fuse together, effectively securing the suture portions together without a knot.

Abstract: A cardiac implant system including a cardiac implant such as an annuloplasty ring, a prosthetic heart valve, or a valved conduit pre-assembled at the time of manufacture with devices for securing the implant to a heart valve annulus using knotless suture fasteners. The knotless suture fasteners may be embedded within a pliant sealing edge of the cardiac implant, or they may be positioned adjacent to the sealing edge. The knotless suture fasteners are spring-biased so as to grip onto annulus anchoring sutures pass to therethrough upon removal of a restraining device, such as a hypotube inserted within the suture fasteners. Guide tubes are assembled in line with the suture fasteners to permit introduction of suture snares that pass through the suture fasteners and through the sealing edge to facilitate capture of the pre-installed annulus anchoring sutures.

Abstract: A cardiac implant system including a cardiac implant such as an annuloplasty ring, a prosthetic heart valve, or a valved conduit pre-assembled at the time of manufacture with devices for securing the implant to a heart valve annulus using knotless suture fasteners. The knotless suture fasteners may be embedded within a pliant sealing edge of the cardiac implant, or they may be positioned adjacent to the sealing edge. The knotless suture fasteners are spring-biased so as to grip onto annulus anchoring sutures pass to therethrough upon removal of a restraining device, such as a hypotube inserted within the suture fasteners. Guide tubes are assembled in line with the suture fasteners to permit introduction of suture snares that pass through the suture fasteners and through the sealing edge to facilitate capture of the pre-installed annulus anchoring sutures.

Abstract: A device is described which has an instrument portion secured to a sleeve/cuff portion, where the sleeve/cuff portion is configured to receive a portion of user's finger therein and to radially compress onto the user's finger to hold the instrument portion thereon. The present invention is particularly well suited for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures. The present invention also teaches a method of forming a knot in suture material as well as other techniques for treating patients.

Abstract: In a representative embodiment, an implantable prosthetic heart valve device comprises an elongated body having first and second end portions, the body being configured to be implanted around a native leaflet of a heart valve such that the first end portion is on an atrial side of the leaflet and the second end portion is on a ventricular side of the leaflet and such that the body can coapt with and move away from an opposing native leaflet during operation of the heart valve. The device can further comprises a fastener configured to be mounted on a suture that extends from one of the first or second end portions, through the native leaflet and through the other of the first or second end portions such that the body is secured to the native leaflet.

Abstract: A cardiac implant system including a cardiac implant such as an annuloplasty ring, a prosthetic heart valve, or a valved conduit pre-assembled at the time of manufacture with devices for securing the implant to a heart valve annulus using knotless suture fasteners. The knotless suture fasteners may be embedded within a pliant sealing edge of the cardiac implant, or they may be positioned adjacent to the sealing edge. The knotless suture fasteners are spring-biased so as to grip onto annulus anchoring sutures pass to therethrough upon removal of a restraining device, such as a hypotube inserted within the suture fasteners. Guide tubes are assembled in line with the suture fasteners to permit introduction of suture snares that pass through the suture fasteners and through the sealing edge to facilitate capture of the pre-installed annulus anchoring sutures.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for securing sutures that obviate the need for tying knots. Instead of tying two ends of a suture or two sutures together with a knot, two or more suture portions can be fused or cauterized together using heat. A device can be applied to adjacent suture portions that heats the suture portions and causes the suture portions to fuse together, effectively securing the suture portions together without a knot.