Abstract: An endovascular medical assembly and method for restoring chordal support to a leaflet of a heart valve by implanting artificial chordae tendinea in the heart. A chord is inserted into the heart endovascularly with a leaflet grasper which pierces the leaflet and implants the chord through the leaflet. An anchor assembly is implanted into an intracardiac wall and has anchor lines extending therefrom. The chord and an anchor line are assembled by a line gathering member and the tension of the chord is adjusted and secured. The chord is, thus, secured to the anchor assembly to support the leaflet.

Abstract: An introducer sheath assembly having a handle portion including a front end and a rear end, and a introducer sheath extending outwardly from the front end of the handle portion, the introducer sheath including a device lumen configured to slidably receive a corresponding device, a guidewire lumen configured to slidably receive a corresponding guidewire, a first steering cable lumen, a second steering cable lumen, a first steering cable disposed in the first steering cable lumen and a second steering cable disposed in the second steering cable lumen, wherein the first steering cable lumen, the second steering cable lumen and the guidewire lumen are disposed radially outwardly from the device lumen.

Abstract: An endovascular medical assembly and method for restoring chordal support to a leaflet of a heart valve by implanting artificial chordae tendinea in the heart. A chord is inserted into the heart endovascularly with a leaflet grasper which pierces the leaflet and implants the chord through the leaflet. An anchor assembly is implanted into an intracardiac wall and has anchor lines extending therefrom. The chord and an anchor line are assembled by a line gathering member and the tension of the chord is adjusted and secured. The chord is, thus, secured to the anchor assembly to support the leaflet.

Abstract: An introducer sheath assembly having a handle portion including a front end and a rear end, and a introducer sheath extending outwardly from the front end of the handle portion, the introducer sheath including a device lumen configured to slidably receive a corresponding device, a guidewire lumen configured to slidably receive a corresponding guidewire, a first steering cable lumen, a second steering cable lumen, a first steering cable disposed in the first steering cable lumen and a second steering cable disposed in the second steering cable lumen, wherein the first steering cable lumen, the second steering cable lumen and the guidewire lumen are disposed radially outwardly from the device lumen.

Abstract: The invention provides devices, systems and methods for tissue approximation and repair at treatment sites. The devices, systems and methods of the invention will find use in a variety of therapeutic procedures, including endovascular, minimally-invasive, and open surgical procedures, and can be used in various anatomical regions, including the abdomen, thorax, cardiovascular system, heart, intestinal tract, stomach, urinary tract, bladder, lung, and other organs, vessels, and tissues. The invention is particularly useful in those procedures requiring minimally-invasive or endovascular access to remote tissue locations, where the instruments utilized must negotiate long, narrow, and tortuous pathways to the treatment site. In addition, many of the devices and systems of the invention are adapted to be reversible and removable from the patient at any point without interference with or trauma to internal tissues.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for stabilizing and grasping tissues such as valve leaflets, assessing the grasp of these tissues, approximating and fixating the tissues, and assessing the fixation of the tissues to treat cardiac valve regurgitation, particularly mitral valve regurgitation.

Abstract: The invention provides devices, systems and methods for tissue approximation and repair at treatment sites. The devices, systems and methods of the invention will find use in a variety of therapeutic procedures, including endovascular, minimally-invasive, and open surgical procedures, and can be used in various anatomical regions, including the abdomen, thorax, cardiovascular system, heart, intestinal tract, stomach, urinary tract, bladder, lung, and other organs, vessels, and tissues. The invention is particularly useful in those procedures requiring minimally-invasive or endovascular access to remote tissue locations, where the instruments utilized must negotiate long, narrow, and tortuous pathways to the treatment site. In addition, many of the devices and systems of the invention are adapted to be reversible and removable from the patient at any point without interference with or trauma to internal tissues.

Abstract: The invention provides devices, systems and methods for tissue approximation and repair at treatment sites. The devices, systems and methods of the invention will find use in a variety of therapeutic procedures, including endovascular, minimally-invasive, and open surgical procedures, and can be used in various anatomical regions, including the abdomen, thorax, cardiovascular system, heart, intestinal tract, stomach, urinary tract, bladder, lung, and other organs, vessels, and tissues. The invention is particularly useful in those procedures requiring minimally-invasive or endovascular access to remote tissue locations, where the instruments utilized must negotiate long, narrow, and tortuous pathways to the treatment site. In addition, many of the devices and systems of the invention are adapted to be reversible and removable from the patient at any point without interference with or trauma to internal tissues.

Abstract: A variable-position can opener for opening cans with various-sized beads has a pair of handles on a pivot and is able to pierce a can's lid. The cutter is on the first handle of a handle pair, and a driver, on the second handle, grips the bead and moves along its periphery. When handles are gripped, the cutter and driver are brought together and apply a piercing force to the can and bead. A pair of gears, one on the cutter and one on the driver, engages cutter and driver when the handles are closed. A turner, which moves the driver and cutter along the bead, can move among a number of positions, and a cam limits the degree to which the handles can close and adjusts the cutter to a predetermined depth of lid penetration.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for tissue approximation and repair at treatment sites, particularly in those procedures requiring minimally-invasive or endovascular access to remote tissue locations. Fixation devices are provided to fix tissue in approximation with the use of distal elements. In some embodiments, the fixation devices have at least two distal elements and an actuatable feature wherein actuation of the feature varies a dimension of the at least two distal elements. In other embodiments, the fixation devices have at least two pairs of distal elements wherein the pairs of distal elements are moveable to engage tissue between opposed pairs of distal elements. Systems are also provided comprising fixation devices and accessories.

Abstract: A cookware for providing a visual indication to a user to suggest if a surface of the cookware is at an elevated temperature above room temperature. The cookware includes a circular body having a first coating of paint. The circular body is further coated with a second coating of thermochromic paint having an initial color to obscure the first coating of paint. Upon heating the base of the cookware, heat is transferred to the body causing the second coating of paint to gradually change its initial color to substantially transparent causing the first coating of paint to become visible.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for tissue approximation and repair at treatment sites. In particular, fixation devices are provided comprising a pair of elements each having a first end, a free end opposite the first end, and an engagement surface therebetween for engaging the tissue, the first ends being moveable between an open position wherein the free ends are spaced apart and a closed position wherein the free ends are closer together with the engagement surfaces generally facing each other. The fixation devices also include a locking mechanism coupled to the elements for locking the elements in place. The devices, systems and methods of the invention will find use in a variety of therapeutic procedures, including endovascular, minimally-invasive, and open surgical procedures, and can be used in various anatomical regions, including the abdomen, thorax, cardiovascular system, heart, intestinal tract, stomach, urinary tract, bladder, lung, and other organs, vessels, and tissues.