Abstract: A plication lock delivery system that enables a suture lock assembly to be delivered percutaneouly. The plication lock delivery system comprises a lock assembly that secures sutures in place, a control assembly that allows a clinician to engage a suture to a suture lock assembly, apply tension to the sutures to cause tissue plication, and deploy the lock assembly, and a catheter assembly. This plication lock delivery system can be used to repair mitral regurgitation percutaneouly or in an open-heart surgery.

Abstract: The present teachings provide devices and methods of treating a tricuspid valve regurgitation. Specifically, one aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods of identifying a suitable location on the tricuspid annulus, another aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods of placing a wire across the tricuspid annulus at such an identified location, another aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods of deploying a tissue anchor across such an identified location, and yet another aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods of applying tension to two or more of such tissue anchors and reducing the circumference of the tricuspid annulus. As a result, a regurgitation jet is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: The present teachings provide devices and methods of locating a mitral valve commissure, and implanting tissue anchors at or near the mitral valve commissure. Specifically, one aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods for locating a mitral valve commissure percutaneously and allowing a guide wire to be placed across a mitral annulus at the mitral valve commissure. Another aspect of the present teachings provides methods for deploying a tissue anchor across a mitral annulus at a mitral valve commissure, including near the P1 or P3 regions of the posterior mitral annulus. Another aspect of the present teachings further provides methods of plicating a mitral annulus between two or more tissue anchors.

Abstract: Catheter based systems and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems and methods employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.

Abstract: The present teachings provide devices and methods of treating a tricuspid valve regurgitation. Specifically, one aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods of identifying a suitable location on the tricuspid annulus, placing a wire across the tricuspid annulus at such an identified location, deploying a tissue anchor across such an identified location, deploying two or more tissue anchors and coupling the tissue anchors with a flexible tensioning member, and applying tension to a flexible tensioning member that is coupled with the two or more tissue anchors, plicating tissues between each pair of the two or more tissue anchors, and reducing the circumference of the tricuspid annuls. As a result, a regurgitation jet is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: The present teachings provide devices and methods of treating a tricuspid valve regurgitation. Specifically, one aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods for reshaping and resizing the right ventricle by reducing the distances between two papillary muscles. Another aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods for reshaping and resizing the right ventricle by reducing the distances along the right ventricle wall. Another aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods for reshaping and resizing the right ventricle by reducing the distance between the distance of right ventricle outflow track and the right ventricle wall. Another aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods for reshaping and resizing the right ventricle by changing the right ventricle sphericity index. Another aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods for reshaping and resizing the right ventricle by reducing the tricuspid valve tethering height.

Abstract: The present teachings provide devices and methods of treating a tricuspid valve regurgitation. Specifically, one aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods for reshaping and resizing the right ventricle by reducing the distances between two papillary muscles. Another aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods for reshaping and resizing the right ventricle by reducing the distances along the right ventricle wall. Another aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods for reshaping and resizing the right ventricle by reducing the distance between the distance of right ventricle outflow track and the right ventricle wall. Another aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods for reshaping and resizing the right ventricle by changing the right ventricle sphericity index. Another aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods for reshaping and resizing the right ventricle by reducing the tricuspid valve tethering height.

Abstract: A tissue anchor includes an anchor member formed from a generally flexible material. An activation member, which may be a tensioning member, causes proximal and distal end portions of the anchor member to move toward each other into a shortened configuration suitable for anchoring against the tissue. The tissue anchor can optionally be deployed and activated using a catheter device.

Abstract: A system is provided for delivering respective anchors into spaced apart locations along an annulus of a mitral valve. The system includes a first catheter member having a first lumen formed therein for receiving a first guide wire and also includes a second catheter member that is configured to move between an expanded position and a collapsed position relative to the first catheter member. The second catheter member has a lumen formed therein for receiving a second guide wire when the second catheter member is in the expanded position. The second catheter member is fixedly connected to the first catheter member by a first connector (that defines first and second living hinges) which is configured to deploy under a select condition to automatically cause the second catheter member to move to the expanded position.

Abstract: A tissue anchoring system includes a tissue anchor member that is suitable for anchoring against tissue. The system also includes a tensioning member operatively connected to the anchor member such that the anchor member can slide relative to the tensioning member, the tensioning member capable of being pulled to cause the anchor member to move relative to the tensioning member into a position seated against the tissue. A hand operated deployment catheter is operable to extend and deploy the anchor member therefrom. The deployment catheter includes a rotatable member about which the tensioning member is routed and a clutch assembly for limiting tension within the tensioning member to prevent the deployed anchor from being pulled through the tissue.

Abstract: The present teachings provide devices and methods of treating a tricuspid valve regurgitation. Specifically, one aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods of identifying a suitable location on the tricuspid annulus, another aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods of placing a wire across the tricuspid annulus at such an identified location, another aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods of deploying a tissue anchor across such an identified location, and yet another aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods of applying tension to two or more of such tissue anchors and reducing the circumference of the tricuspid annulus. As a result, a regurgitation jet is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: The present teachings generally relate to translation catheter systems and method of using thereof in treating defective mitral valves. Specifically, a translation catheter system includes a catheter configured to move substantially laterally along the mitral annulus and the lateral movement of the catheter is substantially continuous and substantially adjustable. Accordingly, a method of using such a translation catheter includes advancing a first wire across the mitral annulus at a first treatment location, delivering a catheter at or near the first treatment location, moving the catheter substantially laterally to a second treatment location, and advancing a second wire across the mitral annulus, where the distance between the first and second treatment locations is substantially adjustable and optionally visualized.

Abstract: Methods of repairing the mitral valve and reducing mitral regurgitation. One method includes securing a first tissue anchor to a position on a posterior portion of the annular tissue of the mitral valve and a second tissue anchor to a position on an anterior portion of the annular tissue of the mitral valve. At least one tensile member spans between the first and second tissue anchors and across the orifice of the mitral valve. When tension is applied to the at least one tensile member, the posterior portion of the annular tissue is pulled toward the anterior portion.

Abstract: The present teachings provide devices and methods of treating a tricuspid valve regurgitation. Specifically, one aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods of identifying a suitable location on the tricuspid annulus, placing a wire across the tricuspid annulus at such an identified location, deploying a tissue anchor across such an identified location, deploying two or more tissue anchors and coupling the tissue anchors with a flexible tensioning member, and applying tension to a flexible tensioning member that is coupled with the two or more tissue anchors, plicating tissues between each pair of the two or more tissue anchors, and reducing the circumference of the tricuspid annuls. As a result, a regurgitation jet is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: Methods of repairing the mitral valve and reducing mitral regurgitation. One method includes securing a first tissue anchor to a position on a posterior portion of the annular tissue of the mitral valve and a second tissue anchor to a position on an anterior portion of the annular tissue of the mitral valve. At least one tensile member spans between the first and second tissue anchors and across the orifice of the mitral valve. When tension is applied to the at least one tensile member, the posterior portion of the annular tissue is pulled toward the anterior portion.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems, devices and methods may employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty. One of the methods includes positioning at least two discrete, flat first anchor elements along a first side of a tissue of the mitral valve annulus in stacked relationship and at least two other discrete, flat first anchor elements along the second side of the tissue of the mitral valve annulus in stacked relationship.

Abstract: A method for performing annuloplasty includes accessing a left ventricle of a heart to provide a discrete plication element to the left ventricle, and engaging the plication element to tissue near a mitral valve of the heart. Engaging the plication element includes causing the plication element to gather a portion of the tissue to create a plication. In one embodiment, accessing the left ventricle of the heart to provide the plication element includes accessing the left ventricle of the heart using a catheter arrangement.

Abstract: A tissue anchor includes a generally flexible elongate continuous anchor member capable of being inserted through tissue and moving between an elongate configuration and a shortened configuration suitable for anchoring against at least one side of the tissue. The anchor member has a first set of openings and a second set of openings formed therein at spaced locations along a length of the anchor member. The tissue anchor also includes a tensioning member operatively connected to the anchor member and the tensioning member extends through the proximal end portion to the distal end portion by passing through the first set of openings and then back to the proximal end portion by passing through the second set of openings. The anchor member is configured to form a plurality of folded panels upon pulling the tensioning member.

Abstract: A plication lock delivery system that enables a suture lock assembly to be delivered percutaneously. The plication lock delivery system comprises a lock assembly that secures sutures in place, a control assembly that allows a clinician to engage a suture to a suture lock assembly, apply tension to the sutures to cause tissue plication, and deploy the lock assembly, and a catheter assembly. This plication lock delivery system can be used to repair mitral regurgitation percutaneously or in an open-heart surgery.

Abstract: A locker for securing one or more tensioning members and a method of using the same is described. The locker includes a locker body having a passageway through which tensioning members extend. A movable member is coupled to the locker body and traverses the passageway. The movable member is movable between a latent position within the passageway in which the one or more tensioning members are movable relative to the locker body and an activated position within the passageway in which the one or more tensioning members are locked relative to the locker body. A hub surrounds the locker body such that the locker body is retractable with respect to the hub. Retraction of the locker body causes the movable member to move distally from the first position to the second position.