Abstract: A system for selectively deploying a medical device includes a cartridge that is engageable with a proximal end of a delivery catheter that is routed to a desired location in a patient's body. An advancement mechanism is provided for advancing the medical device out of the cartridge and into the delivery catheter for deploying the medical device at the desired location in the patient's body.

Abstract: A mitral valve therapy device effects the condition of a mitral valve annulus of a heart. The device includes an elongated member dimensioned to be placed in the coronary sinus of the heart adjacent the mitral valve annulus. The elongated member is flexible when placed in the heart in a first orientation to position the device in the coronary sinus adjacent the mitral valve annulus and relatively inflexible when rotated into a second orientation after the device is positioned in the coronary sinus adjacent to the mitral valve annulus to substantially straighten and increase the radius of curvature of the mitral valve annulus.

Abstract: An intravascular support device includes a support or reshaper wire, a proximal anchor and a distal anchor. The support wire engages a vessel wall to change the shape of tissue adjacent the vessel in which the intravascular support is placed. The anchors and support wire are designed such that the vessel in which the support is placed remains open and can be accessed by other devices if necessary. The device provides a minimal metal surface area to blood flowing within the vessel to limit the creation of thrombosis. The anchors can be locked in place to secure the support within the vessel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a tissue shaping device adapted to be disposed in a vessel near a patient's heart to reshape the patient's heart. Such tissue shaping device can include an expandable proximal anchor; a proximal anchor lock adapted to lock the proximal anchor in an expanded configuration; an expandable distal anchor; a distal anchor lock adapted to lock the distal anchor in an expanded configuration; and a connector disposed between the proximal anchor and the distal anchor, the connector having a substantially non-circular cross-section.

Abstract: A device for modifying the shape of a mitral valve annulus. In one embodiment, the device includes a connector disposed between first and second anchors, the first and second anchors each adapted to be deployed in a coronary sinus adjacent the mitral valve annulus to anchor the device in the coronary sinus; and an actuation element adapted to receive a proximally or distally directed actuation force from an actuator and to transmit the actuation force to the first and second anchors simultaneously.

Abstract: A system for selectively deploying a medical device includes a cartridge that is engageable with a proximal end of a delivery catheter that is routed to a desired location in a patient's body. An advancement mechanism is provided for advancing the medical device out of the cartridge and into the delivery catheter for deploying the medical device at the desired location in the patient's body.

Abstract: A mitral valve annulus reshaping device includes at least a portion that is formed of a biocompatible shape memory alloy SMA having a characteristic temperature, Af, that is preferably below body temperature. The device is constrained in an unstable martensite (UM) state while being introduced through a catheter that passes through the venous system and into the coronary sinus of the heart. The reshaping device is deployed adjacent to the mitral valve annulus of the heart as it is forced from the catheter. When released from the constraint of the catheter, the SMA of the device at least partially converts from the UM state to an austenitic state and attempts to change to a programmed shape that exerts a force on the adjacent tissue and modifies the shape of the annulus. The strain of the SMA can be varied when the device is within the coronary sinus.

Abstract: An intravascular support device includes a support or reshaper wire, a proximal anchor and a distal anchor. The support wire engages a vessel wall to change the shape of tissue adjacent the vessel in which the intravascular support is placed. The anchors and support wire are designed such that the vessel in which the support is placed remains open and can be accessed by other devices if necessary. The device provides a minimal metal surface area to blood flowing within the vessel to limit the creation of thrombosis. The anchors can be locked in place to secure the support within the vessel.

Abstract: An anchor anchors a therapeutic device having an elongated body within a body lumen. The anchor includes a fixation member carried on the device which is adjustable from a first configuration that permits placement of the device in the body lumen to a second configuration that anchors the device within the body lumen. The anchor further includes a lock that locks the fixation member in the second configuration. The fixation member may be locked in any one of a plurality of intermediate points between the first configuration and a maximum second configuration.

Abstract: A device for modifying the shape of a mitral valve annulus. In one embodiment, the device includes a connector disposed between first and second anchors, the first and second anchors each adapted to be deployed in a coronary sinus adjacent the mitral valve annulus to anchor the device in the coronary sinus; and an actuation element adapted to receive a proximally or distally directed actuation force from an actuator and to transmit the actuation force to the first and second anchors simultaneously.

Abstract: An assembly and method for effecting the condition of a mitral valve annulus of a heart includes a guide wire configured to be fed into the coronary sinus of the heart, and a mitral valve annulus therapy device configured to be slidingly received on the guide wire and advanced into the coronary sinus of the heart on the guide wire. A guide tube may further be employed for guiding the device into the coronary sinus. An introducer which may be employed for pushing the device into or pulling device out of the heart has a mechanism for releasably locking to the device. This enables substitution of the device if needed. Also, the crossover point of the circumflex artery and coronary sinus may be determined and avoided when the device is deployed.

Abstract: An upward facing probing mechanism using mercury probe contacts for accurate automatic multi-site measurements of a semiconductor wafer, especially of ultra-shallow ion implanted layers on a semiconductor wafer held top surface facing downward. A fixed force is applied to the wafer regardless of the thickness of the wafer through the of use of a regulated pressure piston. Incorporated are a plurality of spring-loaded rod assemblies to support the floating probe head to position the probe head face into full contact with the wafer surface accurately placing all mercury contacts on the surface of the wafer regardless of the inclination of the wafer as a result of the even support of the probe head by the spring-loaded rod assemblies. Included is a mechanism to refresh the mercury contacts for each probing with full containment and recovery of the mercury used in each probing.

Abstract: An intravascular support device includes a support or reshaper wire, a proximal anchor and a distal anchor. The support wire engages a vessel wall to change the shape of tissue adjacent the vessel in which the intravascular support is placed. The anchors and support wire are designed such that the vessel in which the support is placed remains open and can be accessed by other devices if necessary. The device provides a minimal metal surface area to blood flowing within the vessel to limit the creation of thrombosis. The anchors can be locked in place to secure the support within the vessel.

Abstract: The invention is a tissue shaping device. In some embodiments, the device includes an a reshaping element and an anchor adapted to anchor the device in a lumen, the anchor having a wire adapted to contact a wall of the lumen with an anchoring force when the device is deployed in the lumen and a force distribution element adapted to distribute the anchoring force more along a first anchoring axis than along a second anchoring axis. The invention is also a method of deploying a tissue shaping device in a lumen. In some embodiments the method includes the steps of placing an anchor in contact with a wall of the lumen to exert an anchoring force on the lumen wall; and distributing the anchoring force more along a first anchoring axis than along a second anchoring axis.

Abstract: A mitral valve staple device treats mitral regurgitation of a heart. The device includes first and second leg portions, each leg portion terminating in a tissue piercing end, and a connection portion extending between the first and second leg portions. The connection portion has an initial stressed and distorted configuration to separate the first and second leg portion by a first distance when the tissue piercing ends pierce the mitral valve annulus and a final unstressed and undistorted configuration after the tissue piercing ends pierce the mitral valve annulus to separate the first and second leg portions by a second distance which is shorter than the first distance. The device is deployed within the heart transvenously through a catheter positioned in the coronary sinus adjacent the mitral valve annulus. A tool forces the mitral valve staple device through the wall of the catheter for deployment in the heart.

Abstract: A device effects the mitral valve annulus geometry of a heart. The device includes first and second anchors configured to be positioned within the coronary sinus of the heart adjacent the mitral valve annulus of the heart and a fixed length connecting member permanently attached to the first and second anchors. With the first anchor anchored in the coronary sinus, the second anchor may be displaced proximally to effect the geometry of the mitral valve annulus and released to maintain the effect on the mitral valve geometry.

Abstract: An assembly for effecting the condition of a mitral valve of a heart includes a mitral valve therapy device, a guide wire, and a guide tube. The mitral valve therapy device is configured to reshape the mitral valve annulus of the heart when placed within the coronary sinus adjacent the mitral valve annulus. The guide wire is configured to be fed into the coronary sinus of the heart adjacent the mitral valve annulus. The guide tube has a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending between the distal end and the proximal end. The guide tube further includes a side port, intermediate the distal and proximal ends which communicates with the lumen. This permits the guide tube to be slidingly received on the guide wire with the guide wire extending from the distal end, through the lumen, and out the side port. In use, the guide tube is slid along the guide wire into the coronary sinus.

Abstract: An assembly for effecting the condition of a mitral valve annulus includes a mitral valve therapy device, a coupling structure carried by the device, a catheter, a second coupling structure, and a locking member. To implant the device, the device is first releasably locked to a pushing member by the coupling structures and the locking member. When the device is positioned within the coronary sinus adjacent the mitral valve annulus and deployed, the coupling structures may be released from each other by the release of the locking member.

Abstract: An intravascular support device includes a support or reshaper wire, a proximal anchor and a distal anchor. The support wire engages a vessel wall to change the shape of tissue adjacent the vessel in which the intravascular support is placed. The anchors and support wire are designed such that the vessel in which the support is placed remains open and can be accessed by other devices if necessary. The device provides a minimal metal surface area to blood flowing within the vessel to limit the creation of thrombosis. The anchors can be locked in place to secure the support within the vessel.

Abstract: A mitral valve therapy device and method treats dilated cardiomyopathy. The device is configured to be placed in the coronary sinus of a heart adjacent to the mitral valve annulus. The device includes a force distributor that distributes an applied force along a pericardial wall of the coronary sinus, and a force applier that applies the applied force to one or more discrete portions of a wall of the coronary sinus adjacent to the mitral valve annulus to reshape the mitral valve annulus in a localized manner.