Abstract: A repair device for treatment of tricuspid regurgitation includes a support frame, an occlusive membrane, and a suture line. The support frame includes a central shaft and anchoring members that are disposed around the central shaft and radially unfolded for anchoring leaflets of a tricuspid valve. The occlusive membrane surrounds connections between the anchoring members and the central shaft, and the occlusive membrane is connected to the support frame through the suture line. A semi-closed space surrounding the central shaft is formed by an outer side wall of the central shaft, the anchoring members and the occlusive membrane, and has a closed end in proximity to a ventricle and an open end in proximity to an atrium. The central shaft has a closed end in proximity to the ventricle. The repair device for treatment of tricuspid regurgitation reduces the number of implants, thereby reducing the side effects caused by implantation.

Abstract: Tissue engineering devices and methods employing scaffolds made of absorbable material for use in the human body for tissue genesis and regenerative and cellular medicine including breast reconstruction and cosmetic and aesthetic procedures and supplementing organ function in vivo.

Abstract: A coronary artery check valve includes a stent configured to attach to an inner wall of a coronary artery of a living subject, and a tapered helical coil coupled to the stent and configured to regulate blood flow in the coronary artery. The coronary artery check valve is configured to prevent retrograde flow of the coronary blood supply during diastole by closing during systole of the heart when the tapered helical coil compresses longitudinally, and opening when the tapered helical coil expands longitudinally to permit blood flow into the coronary artery when a coronary pressure of the living subject drops below diastolic blood pressure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a tissue shaping device adapted to be disposed in a vessel near a patient's heart to reshape the patient's heart. Such tissue shaping device can include an expandable proximal anchor; a proximal anchor lock adapted to lock the proximal anchor in an expanded configuration; an expandable distal anchor; a distal anchor lock adapted to lock the distal anchor in an expanded configuration; and a connector disposed between the proximal anchor and the distal anchor, the connector having a substantially non-circular cross-section.

Abstract: An apparatus for partially supporting a leaflet of a regurgitant heart valve includes at least one subvalvular device including a subvalvular supporting portion and an anchor portion. The subvalvular supporting portion and anchor portion are each at least partially formed from at least one of braided mesh strands of a first configuration, braided mesh strands of a second configuration, a balloon, a plurality of longitudinally extending struts, and a plurality of laterally extending struts. A connector neck is interposed longitudinally between, and is attached to both of, the subvalvular supporting portion and the anchor portion. The connector neck penetrates longitudinally through at least one of a base of the leaflet and an annulus of the heart valve at a manufactured puncture site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mesh or membrane covering (2) based on biological material, for example collagen, or biosynthetic material for prostheses (1), in particular for a breast prosthesis (1), said prosthesis (1) having a rear surface that, when applied, is faced towards the person on whom (1) is applied, said covering (2) being characterized in that it provides a fixing system (4; 3) for fixing to said prosthesis (1), said fixing system providing a plurality of teeth or petals (4) or outer perimeter edge foldable on said rear surface of the prosthesis (1) by means (5). The invention further relates to a method for fixing said covering to a prosthesis, a prosthesis comprising said covering and a process for making said covering.

Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems, and methods for modifying blood flow and improving tissue oxygenation in an individual. More specifically, described herein are flow modifying implants, delivery systems, and methods of treatment using flow modifying implants. Also described herein are methods for preventing reperfusion injury in an individual using a flow modifying implant to prevent the reperfusion injury.

Abstract: A replacement heart valve device is disclosed. In some embodiments, the device includes a frame coupled to one or more leaflets that are moveable between open and closed configurations. In some embodiments, the frame comprises at least two frame sections that join at a pair of commissural posts. In some embodiments, the device may be geometrically accommodating to adapt to different vasculature shapes and sizes and/or to be able to change size while implanted within a growing patient.

Abstract: The invention is directed to products and methods for preparing self-seeding vascular constructs generated as a bi-layered electrospun matrices, conjugated with EPC-specific antibodies and anti-thrombogenic agents on the inner surfaces of their lumens.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to biodegradable ureteral stents comprising an anti-cancer drug, and to a composition for use in medicine that may be used to ensure patency of a channel, namely a mammal ureter, for example, an obstructed ureter by a urinary stone, neoplasia or by a surgical procedure. The biodegradable ureteral stents (BUS) disclosed in the present disclosure unexpectedly allow a proper release of anti-cancer drugs, thus extending the duration of the treatment and increasing the efficacy of the treatment.

Abstract: A stent delivery apparatus and/or system including a hollow tubular body with a proximal opening at a proximal end of the hollow tubular body and a distal opening at a distal end of the hollow tubular body. The hollow tubular body can define the proximal opening and the distal opening. A support rod can be passed through the proximal opening and/or the distal opening. The support rod may have a tip, and tip can be olive shaped. A stent may be supported by and/or surround the support rod. The tip of the support rod may also engage with the stent during delivery.

Abstract: Systems and methods to prevent leakage of an intestine and/or provide support to an intestine. The systems can carry the leakage protection device on an external surface for delivery or carry the leakage protection device internally within a lumen. The device is delivered into the intestine portions to protect a site where a defect is repaired such as at an anastomotic site.

Abstract: A stent comprises a wire that is woven into a tubular fence forming a stent body, a plurality of tubular units connected around a longitudinal center axis of the stent body, and a plurality of connecting locations configured to connect adjacent ones of the plurality of tubular units and arranged along a plurality of circumferences with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the stent body. The plurality of circumferences include a first circumference having a first radius and a second circumference having a second radius, and the first radius is different from the second radius in length.

Abstract: Tissue engineering devices and methods employing scaffolds made of absorbable material for use in the human body for tissue genesis and regenerative and cellular medicine including breast reconstruction and cosmetic and aesthetic procedures and supplementing organ function in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method for surgically placing an artificial stomach in a patient. The method involves the steps of cutting an opening in the abdominal wall of the patient, dissecting the area around the stomach, placing the artificial stomach in the patient's abdomen, and closing the opening in the abdominal wall.

Abstract: A valved conduit including a bioprosthetic valve, such as a heart valve, and a tubular conduit sealed with a bioresorbable material. The bioprosthetic heart valve includes prosthetic tissue that has been treated such that the tissue may be stored dry for extended periods without degradation of functionality of the valve. The bioprosthetic heart valve may have separate bovine pericardial leaflets or a whole porcine valve. The sealed conduit includes a tubular matrix impregnated with a bioresorbable medium such as gelatin or collagen. The valved conduit is stored dry in packaging in which a desiccant pouch is supplied having a capacity for absorbing moisture within the packaging limited to avoid drying the bioprosthetic tissue out beyond a point where its ability to function in the bioprosthetic heart valve is compromised. The heart valve may be sewn within the sealed conduit or coupled thereto with a snap-fit connection.

Abstract: Embodiments of an expandable sheath can be used in conjunction with a catheter assembly to introduce a prosthetic device, such as a heart valve, into a patient. Such embodiments can minimize trauma to the vessel by allowing for temporary expansion of a portion of the introducer sheath to accommodate the delivery apparatus, followed by a return to the original diameter once the prosthetic device passes through. Some embodiments can include a sheath with inner and outer layers, where a folded portion of the inner layer extends through a slit in the outer layer and a portion of the outer layer overlaps the folded portion of the inner layer. Some embodiments include an elastic outer cover positioned outside the outer layer. Embodiments of the present expandable sheath can avoid the need for multiple insertions for the dilation of the vessel, thus offering advantages over prior art introducer sheaths.

Abstract: A heart valve repair system includes a delivery sheath and an implant that includes a frame including a braided structure of intertwining strands and having a surface configured to contact an upstream surface of a native heart valve. First and second gripping members are coupled to the frame, each including atrial and ventricular arms. The implant is disposed in the sheath in a delivery state in which the frame defines a wall fully surrounding a central longitudinal axis of the implant. The distal end of the wall defines a distal opening of the frame. The distal end of the wall is disposed proximally to the second end of the ventricular arm of each of the gripping members. The second end of each ventricular arm moves toward the axis of the implant more than the first end moves toward the axis. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for crimping prosthetic implants onto a delivery apparatus are disclosed. In some examples, a support body for a prosthetic heart valve can comprise a first portion comprising an alignment device configured to couple with a crimping device, and a second portion comprising a support surface that tapers from a wider end disposed adjacent the first portion to a narrower end, where the support surface is configured to receive the prosthetic heart valve thereon and hold one or more leaflets of the prosthetic heart valve in an open position. The support body can further comprise a central channel extending through the first portion and the second portion, the central channel configured to receive a delivery apparatus for the prosthetic heart valve therethrough.

Abstract: Vaginal dilator assemblies, devices and kits. Assemblies can include a base, and an adapter. The base can have an inner portion and the adapter can have an outer portion that is complimentary to the inner portion of the base such that the adapter is non-rotatably fitted into the base. Vaginal dilator devices can include a base defining a recess aligned with the longitudinal axis of the base. The recess can have a plurality of step tapered sections. Vaginal dilator kits are also provided that include a plurality of vaginal dilators having different diameters. Each of the plurality of vaginal dilators is configured to be axially aligned and securely fitted into one of the step tapered sections of the recess of the base.