Abstract: A method for reducing an axial profile of a valve implant includes providing a valve implant having a longitudinal axis and a delivery catheter having a central axis and a distal receiving section. The method further includes helically rolling the valve implant around a rolling axis that is offset at an angle of about 15 degrees to about 60 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis to form a rolled valve implant having a rolled axis, where the rolled axis is the same as the rolling axis. The method further includes aligning the rolled axis of the rolled valve implant with the central axis of the delivery catheter. The method further includes inserting the rolled valve implant into the distal receiving section of the delivery catheter.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus for adhering tissue to one another. In an embodiment of the present invention the two tissues to be joined, for example the lower esophagus and the fundus of the stomach, are first placed adjacent to one another. Next a first restraint is placed near the outside surface of one of the tissues and a second restraint is placed near the outside surface of the other tissue. An irritant is then placed between the two adjacent tissues. The restraints, and consequently the tissue surfaces, are then drawn together. As the touching irritated tissue surfaces heal they will become bonded to one another and their need for the mechanical fastening of the restraints, to secure them together, will be diminished.

Abstract: A clip of a self-closing type is used for valve repair. The clip is generally U-shaped with two end points separated from each other when constrained to be in an open configuration, but tends to coil up to assume its natural closed configuration if the constraint is removed. At least one end point is connected through a suture to a tissue-penetrating needle. A needle holder has an outer tube and an inner member which has a slit at the front and is slidable inside the outer tube. A double-arm clip assembly with each of the end points of the clip attached through a suture to a separate needle may be used for valve repair and may contain two of such clips mutually connected by a flexible connector whereby two leaflets are held together by the connector, with the two clips each anchored to a corresponding one of the leaflets.

Abstract: A surgical port and dilator are useful for creating access to surgical sites having tortuous geometries and/or requiring relatively long and narrow access to the surgical site. The surgical port or dilator can be provided with an oblique distal end to facilitate placement and the displace tissue near angled surfaces. The surgical port can be inserted into the operative site following dilation in the same fashion as a conventional port. Once inserted, however, the surgical port may then be elongated to provide relatively long and narrow, elliptically- shaped access to the surgical site. The elongation of the port allows the surgeon access to long and narrow surgical sites, such as the spine, without having to expand radially. This reduces trauma to the patient. A locking means is also provided to hold the surgical port in the open position until a release mechanism is activated.

Abstract: A system for sealing a hole in a body, comprising a generally cylindrical mesh formed from a plurality of helical strands which is inserted into the hole, with at least one end of the cylindrical mesh being moved least partially through an interior portion of the cylindrical shaped mesh such that the mesh expands radially outwards against sides of the hole.

Abstract: A system for sealing a hole in a body, comprising a generally cylindrical mesh formed from a plurality of helical strands which is inserted into the hole, with at least one end of the cylindrical mesh being moved least partially through an interior portion of the cylindrical shaped mesh such that the mesh expands radially outwards against sides of the hole.

Abstract: A tissue closure includes a body, and a thread includes a knot which is slidable on the thread. The body is composed of a plate-like anchor portion, and a deformation portion having a frame-like shape which can be deformed between a first form in which the deformation portion is elongated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the anchor portion and contracted in a direction substantially parallel to the anchor portion and a second form in which the deformation portion is contracted in a direction substantially perpendicular to the anchor portion and elongated in a direction substantially parallel to the anchor portion. The tissue closure can also include a connecting portion connecting the anchor portion and the deformation portion to each other. In the condition where the deformation portion is in a desired form between the first form and the second form, the condition is maintained by the thread.

Abstract: A suturing method for a penetrating hole formed in a luminal organ using a suture material to close the penetrating hole according to the present invention includes the steps of inserting a needle at a position that is removed from the open edge of the penetrating hole by a distance that is less than the thickness of the wall of the luminal organ and passing the needle through the wall; sending out from the needle an anchor affixed to the end of the suture material; placing the anchor in place by pulling the needle through the wall and passing the suture material through the wall; and tightening the suture material after passing the suture material in the same direction through the wall at multiple sites interposing the penetrating hole.

Abstract: A puncture closure device is disclosed. Particularly, a puncture closure device may include an anchor support including a coupling feature and an anchor connected to the anchor support. Further, the puncture closure device may include a movable compression element configured to compress a sealing plug generally between the compression element and the anchor. Such a puncture closure device may be positioned at least partially within an insertion sheath to form a puncture closure assembly. A method of compressing a sealing plug and a method of sealing a puncture are disclosed. In addition, in one embodiment, a sealing plug may comprise a first, a second, and an intermediate end region, wherein the intermediate region has a density less than the first and second end regions. In another embodiment, a sealing plug may include a bore formed therethrough and a plurality of slits formed into an exterior surface of the sealing plug.

Abstract: A sheath introducer is inserted through the skin and into a body lumen, e.g., the femoral artery, for a medical procedure. Upon completion of the medical procedure, the sheath introducer is partially withdrawn from the body lumen so that at least one through-wall hole in a body region of the sheath introducer is positioned outside the body lumen, but under the skin. An opening in a distal end tip of the sheath introducer is sealed so that no blood is flowing into the sheath introducer the after sheath introducer is partially withdrawn. A surgical sealant is injected into the sheath introducer and flows out of the at least one through-wall hole and surrounds the access site. After injection of the surgical sealant, the sheath introducer is removed. The surgical sealant seals the puncture and minimizes any blood flow from the body lumen through the puncture.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a surgical device for passing suture through soft tissue. The surgical device can include at least one elongate superelastic member having a thickness and having a first resting configuration that defines at least one curve having a first radius of curvature greater than or equal to 3 times the thickness of the superelastic member. The surgical device also can include a thermally formed opening in the superelastic member, the opening adapted to receive at least one strand of suture. Moreover, the surgical device can include a superelastic member adapted to be straightened into a second configuration having a second radius of curvature larger than the first radius of curvature.

Abstract: A folding device used to fold a cardiac valve is disclosed. Also shown are methods and system for holding and delivering a cardiac valve during implantation. The folding device facilitates folding either a stented or unstented prosthetic valve prior to insertion into a valve annulus. A delivery system is provided to allow a user to measure the patient annulus to select the prosthetic valve size and insert a folded prosthetic valve into a target site. Methods for using the folding device and delivery system are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for sealing a puncture or incision formed percutaneously in tissue separating two internal portions of the body of a living being with an anchor, a sealing plug and a filament connecting the anchor and sealing plug. The methods and apparatus provide for automatic tamping and/or cinching of the sealing plug when the apparatus is withdrawn from the puncture site. The automatic tamping and/or cinching may be facilitated by retracting a procedure sheath without moving the sealing plug or a tamping assembly.