Abstract: A mitral valve prosthesis and methods for implanting the prosthesis transapically (i.e., through the apex of the heart), transatrially (i.e., through the left atrium of the heart), and transseptally (i.e., through the septum of the heart). The prosthesis generally includes a self-expanding frame and two or more support arms. A valve prosthesis is sutured to the self-expanding frame. Each support arm corresponds to a native mitral valve leaflet. At least one support arm immobilizes the native leaflets, and holds the native leaflets close to the main frame.

Abstract: An endovascular prosthesis that includes a stent and a woven graft material. The stent is connected to the graft material by direct attachment of the stent to the graft material at thermoplastically fused regions of the graft material.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stenting are provided comprising a stent attached to a porous biocompatible material that is permeable to endothelial cell ingrowth, but impermeable to release of emboli of predetermined size. Preferred stent designs are provided, as well as preferred manufacturing techniques. Apparatus and methods are also provided for use at a vessel branching. Moreover, embodiments of the present invention may comprise a coating configured for localized delivery of therapeutic agents. Embodiments of the present invention are expected to provide enhanced embolic protection, improved force distribution, and improved recrossability, while reducing a risk of restenosis and thrombus formation.

Abstract: An elongate, longitudinally oriented outer sleeve includes an outer sleeve surface and has a sleeve body. A stem-receiving cavity extends from a distal sleeve end into the sleeve body. The distal sleeve end includes a sleeve interference protrusion extending from the distal sleeve end away from the sleeve body. A joint articulating member includes an elongate, longitudinally oriented stem. The joint articulating member includes a joint articulating surface spaced apart from a distal stem end by an angularly extending connector neck. When the stem is inserted into the stem-receiving cavity, the stem and the outer sleeve are configured for selective relative rotation about a shared longitudinal axis, and the connector neck impinges upon the sleeve interference protrusion responsive to a predetermined amount of relative rotation between the stem and the outer sleeve to prevent relative rotation between the stem and the outer sleeve outside a predetermined range of allowable rotation.

Abstract: A device for reshaping the tricuspid valve comprises a stent that is deployed in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) adjacent to the tricuspid valve and expanded to a size sufficient to reduce the annular diameter or size of the tricuspid valve, thereby improving coaptation of the leaflets and reducing regurgitation. Embodiments of the device are deliverable percutaneously.

Abstract: An expandable stent for implanting in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen. In one aspect, the stent includes a butterfly pattern to which connecting links are attached. In another aspect, the stent embodies a non-directional structure.

Abstract: An implantable device is provided for controlling at least one of shape and size of an anatomical structure or lumen. An implantable device has an adjustable member configured to adjust the dimensions of the implantable device. An adjustment tool is configured to actuate the adjustable member and provide for adjustment before, during and after the anatomical structure or lumen resumes near normal to normal physiologic function.

Abstract: Implant has an implant body; and connected to the body, a fin type stem adapted for transverse insertion into a bodily substrate. The stem has a laterally disposed feature for providing stopping of the stem along a path it takes in its insertion into the substrate. For example, the laterally disposed feature can embrace a wedge. Tools and kits are provided for or with the implant.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of enhancing the securing of an intralumenal frame assembly to intralumenal tissue at an in situ target location. The method can comprise delivering an intralumenal frame assembly mounted on a delivery device to a treatment location. The intralumenal frame can be deployed to expand in situ so that anchors on the intralumenal frame atraumatically grasp intralumenal tissue at the target location. A radially inward force can be exerted on the frame assembly to cause the proximal and distal anchors to grasp more forcefully the intralumenal tissue.

Abstract: A receptacle for receiving a mating member in an orthopedic joint, wherein the receptacle comprises: a first portion shaped so as to contact with the mating member, in normal use; a second portion shaped so as to not contact with the mating member, in normal use, wherein the first portion comprises a non-spherical surface. A mating member for being received by a receptacle, wherein the mating member comprises: a first portion shaped so as to contact with the receptacle, in normal use; a second portion shaped so as to not contact with the receptacle, in normal use, wherein the first portion comprises a non-spherical surface. Also disclosed are receptacles and heads of generally elliptical shape.

Abstract: A prosthesis for locating at a branch region of a blood vessel. The prosthesis comprises a main conduit (10) having a tubular portion (11) with first and second ends (12,13), and at least one projecting portion (14,15,16) projecting from the first end of the tubular portion. One or more branch conduits (17,18) are connected to, and extend from the projecting portions or the tubular portion at a position adjacent the projecting portions. Portions of the prosthesis to which the branch conduits are attached may be more flexible and/or elastic than other portions of the prosthesis.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for repairing heart valves through percutaneous transcatheter delivery and fixation of annuloplasty rings to heart valves. An annuloplasty ring includes an outer hollow member including a plurality of segments. Adjacent segments cooperate with one another to change the outer hollow member from an elongate insertion geometry to an annular operable geometry. The annuloplasty ring also includes an internal anchor member located at least partially within the outer hollow member. The internal anchor member includes a plurality of anchors configured to attach the annuloplasty ring to tissue of a heart valve annulus. The internal anchor member is configured to move the plurality of anchors with respect to a plurality of windows in the outer hollow member to selectively deploy the plurality of anchors through the respective windows.

Abstract: Devices for providing physical support to vascular regions including vascular regions that may contain an anastomosis region are disclosed. These devices may also deliver therapeutic agents to the vascular region. Methods for using these devices are disclosed, as well.

Abstract: A visceral double-barreled main body stent graft and methods for its use, the stent graft comprises, a main body stent graft having distal and proximal ends, the main body stent graft's length ranges from about 100-120 mm and diameter at the proximal end ranges from about 30-45 mm, first and second lumens defined at the main body stent graft's distal end, the first lumen's diameter ranges from about 18-20 mm, the second lumen's diameter ranges from about 16-18 mm, the first and second lumens have about the same length from about 50-70 mm, the first lumen is secured to the second lumen along a shared length, and the main body stent graft defines a tubular wall that is contiguous with the first and second lumens such that any fluid entering the main body must exit through one of the first or second lumens.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing a cardiac valve annulus is provided. The method includes intravascularly delivering a prosthesis to a region of a cardiac valve, expanding the prosthesis to secure the prosthesis to the region of the cardiac valve, and reducing the inner diameter of the prosthesis to form the region of the cardiac valve into a predefined shape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a kit including a tubular endoprosthesis having an inner surface delimiting a channel with a longitudinal axis. The kit includes a prosthetic valve designed to be implanted in the channel. The valve includes a supporting frame having an outer surface designed to be pressed against the inner surface, and a flexible cover connected to the frame. The inner surface has at least two segments with variable cross-section along the longitudinal axis. The segments form respectively a proximal stop and a distal stop to lock the axial displacement of the outer surface along the inner surface along two opposite directions.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for repairing heart valves through percutaneous transcatheter delivery and fixation of annuloplasty rings to heart valves via a trans-apical approach to accessing the heart. A guiding sheath may be introduced into a ventricle of the heart through an access site at an apex of the heart. A distal end of the guiding sheath can be positioned retrograde through the target valve. An annuloplasty ring arranged in a compressed delivery geometry is advanced through the guiding sheath and into a distal portion of the guiding sheath positioned within the atrium of the heart. The distal end of the guiding sheath is retracted, thereby exposing the annuloplasty ring. The annuloplasty ring may be expanded from the delivery geometry to an operable geometry. Anchors on the annuloplasty ring may be deployed to press into and engage tissue of the annulus of the target valve.

Abstract: A visceral double-barreled main body stent graft and methods for its use, the stent graft comprises, a main body stent graft having distal and proximal ends, the main body stent graft's length ranges from about 100-120 mm and diameter at the proximal end ranges from about 30-45 mm, first and second lumens defined at the main body stent graft's distal end, the first lumen's diameter ranges from about 18-20 mm, the second lumen's diameter ranges from about 16-18 mm, the first and second lumens have about the same length from about 50-70 mm, the first lumen is secured to the second lumen along a shared length, and the main body stent graft defines a tubular wall that is contiguous with the first and second lumens such that any fluid entering the main body must exit through one of the first or second lumens.

Abstract: A debranching Great vessel stent graft and methods for its use, where the stent graft comprises, a main body stent graft with a first bifurcation defining a first leg and a second leg, the main body stent graft has distal and proximal ends, the main body stent graft has a diameter at the proximal end in the range from about 18 mm to about 28 mm, the first leg and the second leg each have a diameter in the range from about 12 mm to about 18 mm, the distance from the proximal end of the main body to the distal end of the first leg is in the range from about 30 mm to about 50 mm, and the distance from the proximal end of the main body to the distal end of the second leg is in a range from about 50 mm to about 70 mm.

Abstract: A biocompatible material may be configured into any number of implantable medical devices including intraluminal stents. Polymeric materials may be utilized to fabricate any of these devices, including stents. The stents may be balloon expandable or self-expanding. The polymeric materials may include additives such as drugs or other bioactive agents as well as radiopaque agents. By preferential mechanical deformation of the polymer, the polymer chains may be oriented to achieve certain desirable performance characteristics. The stent has a plurality of hoop components interconnected by a plurality of flexible connectors. The hoop components are formed as a continuous series of substantially longitudinally or axially oriented radial strut members and alternating substantially circumferentially oriented radial arc members. The geometry of the struts and arcs is such that when the stent is expanded, it has very high strains within a relatively small region.