Abstract: A device includes a protection sleeve (10) and a retractable sheath (14) operatively connected to the protection sleeve (10), and a catheter (16) that passes through a main lumen (26) of the sleeve (10). The catheter (16) includes a heart valve treatment device arranged to pass into a lumen of the catheter (16).

Abstract: A device for fracturing calcifications in heart valves including a catheter (12, 22, 42) configured for percutaneous delivery to a heart valve, an fracture-producing element (14, 26, 46, 64, 66,82, 124, 152) disposed at a distal portion of the catheter and operative to vibrate and mechanically fracture calcifications when brought into contact with a calcification at a leaflet of the heart valve, and an energy source (34, 47, 79, 98, 152) operative to vibrate the fracture-producing element so that the fracture-producing element fractures the calcification without necessarily removing the calcification from the leaflet. The device may further comprise a valvuloplasty balloon (30), an embolic protection net (56) and a protective sleeve (110, 130).

Abstract: A device for fracturing calcifications in heart valves including an expandable stabilizer (14) and expandable impactor arms (20) assembled on and deployed by a delivery system (10), wherein the delivery system (10) is operable to move the impactor arms (20), while in an expanded position, with respect to the stabilizer (14) with sufficient energy so as to fracture a calcification located in tissure which is sandwiched between the stabilizer (14) and the impactor arms (20).

Abstract: A protection sleeve (10) has a proximal end joined to a first shaft (12) and a distal end joined to a second shaft (14). The first shaft (12) slides over the second shaft (14). A catheter (16) passes through a lumen of the second shaft (14), and a distal portion (20) of the catheter (16) includes a medical device. Relative sliding movement of the first and second shafts (12, 14) with respect to each other either causes contraction or expansion of the protection sleeve (10).