Abstract: There is provided an intravascular blood pump for insertion into a patient's body. The system comprises a slotless motor having p magnet pole pairs and n phases, where p is an integer greater than zero, and n is an integer ?3. The motor comprises a stator winding having 2np coils wound to form two coils per phase per magnet pole pair such that a coil from each phase is circumferentially arranged next to a coil from a different phase in a sequential order of phase, the arrangement repeated along the stator winding such that each coil spans 360°/(2np) about the cross section of the stator winding. The motor also comprises a permanent magnet rotor supported for rotation and configured to generate a magnetic flux for interaction with the stator winding. The two coils per phase per magnet pole pair are connected in series.

Abstract: The present technology relates generally to endovascular prostheses. More particularly, the disclosure relates to endovascular prostheses having an outer surface of a graft material thereof associated with a hydrogel composition, which may swell upon implantation within a blood vessel, thereby mediating various complications associated with endovascular procedures. The hydrogel compositions can also include various stabilizing polymers and active agents to further aid their use in the body.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a hearing protection device and a method of forming such device are disclosed. The hearing protection device includes a first hearing protector, a second hearing protector, and an elongated connector including a first end that is connected to the first hearing protector and a second end that is connected to the second hearing protector. The device further includes a frangible attachment element disposed between a first portion of the elongated connector and a second portion of the elongated connector that temporarily connects the first portion to the second portion such that the elongated connector is in a compact configuration. The elongated connector is adapted to be disposed in an elongated configuration when the frangible attachment element is broken.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to devices and methods for the treatment of edema which devices use an intravascular edema pump with an anticoagulant. The invention provides devices and methods for treating edema that use an indwelling catheter to place an impeller in a blood vessel of a patient, near an outlet of a lymphatic duct. Operating the impeller creates a local depression in blood pressure, which promotes drainage of lymph from the lymphatic system. The catheter is also used to release an anticoagulant such as heparin to wash and lubricate the impeller. Specifically, the anticoagulant inhibits clotting, hemolysis, or thrombosis from occurring and interfering with smooth operation of the impeller.

Abstract: A catheter pump system with a pump having a fluid displacement member in the blood flow channel, a motor and a motor controller having a pressure sensing port for connection to a control pressure source. The motor controller is arranged for causing motor speed to be increased in response to a reduction of pressure applied to the pressure sensing port and for causing motor speed to be reduced in response to an increase of pressure applied to the pressure sensing port. The motor may be a pneumatic motor for driving the pump and the motor controller may be arranged for controlling motor speed by reducing flow through a supply channel to the motor and allowing an increase of flow through the supply channel to the motor in response to control signals received via an input interface.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for performing a valve replacement or repair. Apparatuses may include systems and may include an outer catheter, one or more interchangeable inner catheters, a guidewire and an expandable chordae tendinae deflector. Also described herein are rapid pacing sheaths that may be used with any of these apparatuses and methods.

Abstract: Methods and systems for attaching a radiopaque marker to a prosthetic heart valve to indicate a location of a commissure of the prosthetic heart valve are disclosed. As one example, a prosthetic heart valve can include a frame, a plurality of leaflets arranged within the frame, and at least one commissure comprising an attachment member comprising a central portion and a flap extending outward from the central portion, the flap folded over a radially outward facing side of the central portion, and the attachment member arranged across a selected cell of the frame. The commissure further comprises commissure tabs of two adjacent leaflets coupled to a radially inward facing side of the central portion, and a radiopaque marker arranged on the flap of the attachment member, between the flap and the radially outward facing side of the central portion.

Abstract: A prosthesis for a cardiac valve includes prosthetic leaflets which are intended to functionally replace the native leaflets of a cardiac valve following the implantation of the cardiac prosthesis. The prosthesis also includes a prosthetic member on which there are mounted the prosthetic leaflets and which is intended to take up a stable, predetermined functional configuration in which the prosthetic member and the prosthetic leaflets reproduce the functionally correct configuration for the purpose of the physiological replacement of the native cardiac valve. The prosthetic member is preconfigured so as to move gradually from an altered, temporary functional configuration, in which the prosthetic member has a deformed geometry with respect to the stable, predetermined stable functional configuration, to said stable, predetermined functional configuration.

Abstract: An artificial heart system for human beings or other creatures, comprises at least one half of the heart, to be implemented into the body, instead of or in parallel to the biologic heart or outside of human body for example for a portable dialysis apparatus, maintaining or supporting at least one blood circulatory system or circuit of the human being or the other creature as a pump, completely or partially, and at least one drive unit and at least one control unit, preferably to be placed outside the body.

Abstract: A heart valve sizing ring is disclosed. The sizing ring includes an outer ring and an inner ring configured and arranged to couple to the outer ring. A tubular portion extends from the inner ring and has a plurality of suture holders arranged about an upper end thereof. The outer ring and inner ring having a pair of complementary mating surfaces configured and arranged to grip sutures therebetween when coupled together. When coupled around sutures, the assembled ring may be tightened down against the heart valve to test the fit as if the sizing ring were a similarly sized prosthetic heart valve ring. Commissures of the heart valve may be suspended from the suture holders of the tubular portion. The surgeon can then remove the sizing ring and replace it with a prosthetic ring.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve can comprise an annular frame comprising an inflow end and an outflow end and being radially collapsible and expandable between a radially collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration, the frame defining an axial direction extending from the inflow end to the outflow end, a leaflet structure positioned within the frame and secured thereto, and an outer sealing member positioned around an outer surface of the frame, wherein the outer sealing member comprises a plurality of sealing segments, wherein each sealing segment is coupled to the frame and/or another sealing segment by a tether that pulls a portion of the sealing segment in a circumferential direction when the frame is radially expanded to the expanded configuration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blood pump for the invasive application within a body of a patient comprising a rotor which is drivable about an axis of rotation and is radially compressible or expandable and which has a hub and at least one impeller blade fastened thereto, as well as comprising a housing which is compressible or expandable in the radial direction by an axial stretching or axial compression. The object of making both the rotor and the housing expandable and compressible in as simple a manner as possible is achieved in accordance with the invention in that a control body is provided which passes through the hub in the longitudinal direction, which is freely axially displaceable relative to the hub and which is coupled to the housing on the distal side of the rotor such that it exerts pulling and/or compression forces on the housing by a movement in the longitudinal direction with respect to the housing.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device for supporting functions of a heart valve and methods for making and using the same. The device includes a flow optimizer configured to be located in the valve and having a cross sectional area that reduces a regurgitation orifice of the valve during systole. The device includes an anchoring mechanism coupled to the flow optimizer and configured to fix a position of the flow optimizer relative to the valve. The flow optimizer allows hemodynamic flow during diastole, minimizing risk of inducing atrioventricular pressure gradient and thrombogenesis, and seals or minimizes the regurgitation orifice during systole and reinstates efficacy of the valve. The anchoring system requires no traumatic interaction with the valve, atrium and ventricle. Implantation of the device can be achieved without invasive surgery. The device permits intra-procedural optimization of the positioning of the flow optimizer.

Abstract: A connector for transfer of an implantable device from a loading tube to a delivery catheter, comprising: a first connecting portion (110) having a first distal end (120) configured to receive a delivery catheter (190); a second connecting portion (130) having a second proximal end (150) configured to receive a loading tube (180) extending towards the first distal end, the second connecting portion movably connected to the first connecting portion; and a biasing element (160) connecting the first and second connecting portions, having a relaxed configuration in which the first distal end and the second proximal end are spaced apart by a predetermined distance, and configured to bias the first distal end and second proximal end to the relaxed configuration when the first distal end and second proximal end are moved apart; such that when the loading tube is received, upon receiving the delivery catheter by the first connecting portion, the loading tube is biased to the delivery catheter to form a connection for

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of endoscopy. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for delivering a therapeutic agent within a body lumen, and maintaining the therapeutic agent in contact with a wall of the body lumen for a beneficial period of time. In particular, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods to prevent lesions within the gastrointestinal tract from spreading into healthy surrounding tissue.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for performing a valve replacement or repair. Apparatuses may include systems and may include an outer catheter, one or more interchangeable inner catheters, a guidewire and an expandable chordae tendinae deflector. Also described herein are rapid pacing sheaths that may be used with any of these apparatuses and methods.

Abstract: A bone implant for at least partial insertion into a bone and/or cartilage. The bone implant is at least partially formed of a metal alloy of at least about 90 wt % of a solid solution or a rhenium and molybdenum alloy.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for performing a valve replacement or repair. Apparatuses may include systems and may include an outer catheter, one or more interchangeable inner catheters and a guidewire. The inner catheter(s) may be detachably coupled to the outer catheter. The inner catheter and outer catheter may surround the guidewire such that the inner and outer catheters may be advanced in a monorail fashion within the patient. Example methods may include percutaneously inserting the outer and inner catheter(s) into an artery and advancing toward the right atrium, through a transseptal atrial puncture, and advanced to the left atrium and left ventricle to access the aortic valve.

Abstract: A method for preparing tissue, in particular pericardial tissue, in particular for a heart valve prosthesis, the method including: decellularizing the tissue; subjecting the decellularized tissue to a cross-linking solution including glutaraldehyde; subjecting the tissue to a shape- and structure-stabilizing step, in which the tissue is exposed to a first solution containing glycerol and is exposed to a second solution containing polyethylene glycol; and drying the tissue after the shape- and structure-stabilizing step.

Abstract: Prosthetic heart valves are described. Prosthetic heart valves can include radially expandable and compressible inner and outer metal frames. The inner frame can be disposed within a lumen of the outer frame and can be coupled to the outer frame. An outflow end of the inner frame can be coupled to and/or located at an outflow end of the outer frame. An end portion of the inner frame can be spaced radially inwardly from an inner surface of the outer frame, such that a radial gap exists between the inner surface of the outer frame and an outer surface of the inner frame. Prosthetic heart valves can further include a plurality of leaflets disposed within and supported by the inner frame, such as by commissure posts of the inner frame.