Abstract: Devices, apparatus, and methods for catheter-based repair of cardiac valves, including transcatheter-mitral-valve-cerclage annuloplasty and transcatheter-mitral-valve reapposition. In particular, a target and capture device is provided for guiding a cerclage traversal catheter system through a cerclage trajectory, particularly through a reentry site of the cerclage trajectory. The target and capture device provides the user with a target through which the cerclage traversal catheter system must be guided, particularly under imaging guidance, so as to properly traverse the cerclage trajectory at any desired location, particularly at a reentry site. The target and capture device can, further, ensnare and externalize the cerclage traversal catheter system.

Abstract: A surgical clip is provided, having two clip arms and a resiliently flexible element pivotally connecting the two clip arms together. The two clip arms each have a first free end, which are held in parallel to and in contact with each other with a predetermined closing force by the flexible element in a rest position. At a second end opposite the free end, the clip arms are held connected to a wall section of the flexible element that is arranged substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the clip arms, extends between the second ends of the clip arms and has a first wall portion facing towards the clip arms and a second wall portion facing away from the clip arms. The flexible element is made from a plastics material by injection molding. The first wall portion is produced with a greater shrinkage than the second wall portion.

Abstract: A delivery device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve may include an operating handle and a catheter assembly. The handle may include a housing, a piston cylinder, a piston longitudinally slidable within the piston cylinder, the piston and the piston cylinder together defining at least one pressure chamber, a deployment actuator coupled to the housing and rotatable relative thereto, and a pneumatic switch adapted to provide a pressurized fluid to the pressure chamber to apply a longitudinal force to the piston. The catheter assembly may include a first shaft around which a valve-receiving compartment is defined, the first shaft being operatively connected to the housing, and a distal sheath operatively connected to the piston, the distal sheath being moveable between a closed condition covering the compartment and an open condition uncovering the compartment. Longitudinal movement of the piston may move the distal sheath between the closed and open conditions.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve having an inflow end and an outflow end includes a collapsible and expandable stent, a collapsible and expandable valve assembly disposed within the stent and having a plurality of leaflets, and a deformable frame having a first end and a second end. The frame includes braided wires forming a body having a lumen extending therethrough for receiving the stent and the valve assembly, the body having a plurality of diameters from the first end to the second end.

Abstract: A tool for a medical instrument includes an effecting device, a transmission rod, of which the distal end is coupled to the effecting device, for transferring at least either a force or a torque to the effecting device, and a cutting device, which, to cut tissue, is movable in a channel in the transmission rod and in the effecting device. To cut tissue, the cutting device is movable in a channel in the transmission rod and in the effecting device.

Abstract: A medical implantable occlusion device (100, 200, 300) is disclosed comprising a braiding (101) of at least one thread, the braiding having an unloaded relaxed state and a stretched state and comprising an expanded diameter portion (102) spanning a distal surface (180) forming the distal end (181) of said device, wherein the braiding is continuous at the distal surface, a tubular member (103) extending along a longitudinal axis (104), the tubular member having a distal portion (105) transitioning into the expanded diameter portion and an opposite proximal portion (106), wherein the tubular member is tapered towards the expanded diameter portion along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve assembly that includes a stent, a tissue sleeve and an anchoring mechanism. By loading the three components of the valve assembly into a delivery catheter in a series formation, such that no two components are located within each other, the size of the delivery catheter can be reduced.

Abstract: A tissue puncture closure device includes a vessel locator and a sealing plug delivery member. The vessel locator includes an expandable member. The sealing plug delivery member includes a carrier tube, a sealing plug, and a locking member. The carrier tube includes a distal end and a side opening, the side opening extending proximally from the distal end along at least a portion of a length of the carrier tube to provide lateral insertion of the vessel locator into an interior of the carrier tube. The sealing plug includes a lumen and a slot extending from a distal end to a proximal end of the sealing plug, wherein the slot provides lateral access of the vessel locator into the lumen. The locking member is operable to retain the vessel locator within the sealing plug delivery member.

Abstract: A method of providing a surgical device for closure of Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) with minimally invasive approach includes a head portion that includes a distal jaw being distal relative to a person holding the surgical device, a guide rod which drives the distal jaw, and a plurality of first suture-guide channels attached to the distal jaw, and a body portion which is stationary and includes a cylindrical base, a proximal jaw attached to the cylindrical base, and a plurality of second suture-guide channels attached to the proximal jaw. A lever drives the distal jaw away from the proximal jaw such that the distal jaw and the proximal jaw are spaced on different sides of an ASD hole. After a suture thread sutures a pericardium patch, the lever pulls the distal jaw backward toward the proximal jaw such that the first suture-guide channels couple with the second suture-guide channels.

Abstract: A tubular prosthetic device for implantation into a body lumen includes a first part including a tubular lumen and a second part including an attachment member. The second part is secured to the first part via various configurations, where the device is capable of being reduced to a diameter less than the diameter of traditional devices, for ease of use during implantation. Methods of using the device are also provided.

Abstract: A hemostatic compression system facilitates patent hemostasis of an arterial access site on the arm of a wearer. The system includes a radial compression band and a Doppler probe. The radial compression band includes an elongated arm band sized to receive the arm. The compression band also includes a pressure surface coupled to the arm band and facing radially inward for compressive engagement with the access site. The Doppler probe is coupled to the arm band adjacent the pressure surface and is configured to sense blood flow through the artery. Hemostatic compression applied by the radial compression band is variable in response to the sensed blood flow so as to ensure patency of the artery during hemostasis of the site.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical device having a slotted clear cannula, a blade and a housing, wherein the cannula is attached to the housing, and wherein the blade is enclosed in the housing and is slidable into the cannula is disclosed. The blade is enclosed within the housing and cannula, and has a horizontally-oriented pushing component and a vertically-oriented cutting component that protrudes through the slot of the cannula. The device further has a device for locking a viewing device in place relative to other components of the device. A method for a performing an operative procedure on a target tissue in a subject using the endoscopic surgical device is also described.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains generally to prosthetic devices and related methods for helping to seal native heart valves and prevent or reduce regurgitation therethrough, as well as devices and related methods for implanting such prosthetic devices. In some cases, a spacer having a single anchor can be implanted within a native heart valve. In some cases, a spacer having dual anchors can be implanted within a native heart valve. In some cases, devices can be used to extend the effective length of a native heart valve leaflet.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical device comprising a slotted clear cannula, a blade and a housing, wherein the cannula is attached to the housing, and wherein the blade is enclosed in the housing and is slidable into the cannula is disclosed. The blade is enclosed within the housing and cannula, and has a horizontally-oriented pushing component and a vertically-oriented cutting component that protrudes through the slot of the cannula. A method for a performing an operative procedure on a target tissue in a subject using the endoscopic surgical device is also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an assembly comprising an expandable device, a restraining member wrapped circumferentially around the device, a coupling member releasably securing the restraining member, and at least one tactile indicator located on the assembly at a desired point of partial deployment, along with a method for partially deploying the expandable device in a patient. During partial deployment of the expandable device, the coupling member is tensioned and displaced from outside the patient by a clinician, and upon reaching the tactile indicator, a change in tension on the coupling member is felt my the clinician performing the procedure.

Abstract: A system for implanting a heart valve includes a radially self-expandable tubular body having a preformed groove disposed at an outer surface of the tubular body, and a valve disposed within the tubular body. The preformed groove extends at least partially around the tubular body, and has a circumferential opening facing radially outward. A trapping member is configured to be disposed within the preformed groove on the outer surface of the tubular body and form at least a partial loop around the tubular body. The circumferential opening of the preformed groove is relatively larger when an outflow end of the tubular body has been deployed from a catheter and an inflow end of the tubular body is disposed within the catheter, and the circumferential opening of the preformed groove is relatively smaller when both the outflow end and the inflow end are fully deployed from the catheter.

Abstract: This disclosure discusses various methods and devices for capturing plaque that is to be removed from a blood vessel after the plaque has been separated from the blood vessel or remaining plaque.

Abstract: A medical instrument guiding device includes a body base component, and a guide body upper component assembled to the body base component. The guide body upper component has a substantially semi-spherical shape to house a medical instrument guide ball resting on a friction surface located within the body base component. The surface of the guide body upper component includes a cut out working area, and a surface of the medical instrument guide ball is exposed by the cut out working area. A medical instrument port is arranged on a truncated surface of the medical instrument guide ball, and a medical instrument may be passed through the medical instrument port. The medical instrument guide ball permits the medical instrument to be moved in three dimensions. The medical instrument port permits the medical instrument to be advanced into a patient.

Abstract: A device for reducing pressure within a lumen includes a reservoir structured for holding a fluid therein, an injection port in fluid communication with the reservoir, a compliant body structured to expand and contract upon changes in pressure, and a conduit extending between and fluidly coupling the reservoir and the compliant body. The fluid may be a compressible or a noncompressible fluid.

Abstract: A system for obesity control includes a sheath and a plurality of medical devices. The sheath has a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The medical devices are disposed within the lumen. Each medical device includes a shell defining a cavity, the shell being movable between a deformed state and an unstressed state; a magnet disposed within the cavity; and a filler material disposed within the cavity. The filler material conforms to a shape of the shell when the shell is in the unstressed state. The filler material changes state to maintain a shape of the shell in the deformed state.