Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a valve frame (20) configured to support a prosthetic valve within a native atrio-ventricular valve. The valve frame (20) includes an atrial part (26) and a cylindrical part (22), to which the prosthetic valve leaflets (23) are coupled. A plurality of chord-recruiting arms (24) extend at least radially from the ventricular end of the cylindrical part (22). The chord-recruiting arms (24) are coupled to the ventricular end of the cylindrical part via stitches (82), and the stitches (82) are configured to act as hinges, such that upon being released from a radially-constrained configuration, while the cylindrical part (22) is held in an at least partially radially-constrained configuration, the chord-recruiting arms (24) are configured to extend radially outwardly by pivoting about the stitches (82) with respect to the cylindrical part (22). Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including rotating at least a portion of a valve frame in a first direction and subsequently rotating the valve frame in a second direction. The valve frame includes chord-recruiting arms. An outer surface of each of the chord-recruiting arms has a smooth, convex curvature that extends along substantially a full length of the chord-recruiting arm, such that during the rotation of the portion of the valve frame in the first direction, the chords slide over the outer surface of the chord-recruiting arm without be recruited or caught by the chord-recruiting arm. An inner surface of each of the chord-recruiting arms has a concave curvature, such that during the rotation of the portion of the valve frame in the second direction, the chords are recruited within a space defined by the concave curvature.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a valve frame configured to support a prosthetic valve within a native atrio-ventricular valve. The valve frame includes an atrial part comprising a disc-shaped portion configured to be deployed on an atrial side of the valve annulus, and a frustoconical portion, and a cylindrical part to which the prosthetic valve leaflets are coupled. The cylindrical part configured to be deployed such that a ventricular end of the cylindrical part is disposed within the ventricle. A plurality of protruding struts are configured to protrude from outside the cylindrical part, the frustoconical portion of the atrial part being coupled to the cylindrical part via the protruding struts. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a prosthetic atrioventricular valve (10), suitable for transvascular delivery to a heart valve annulus, comprising a tubular stent-like portion (14) that is continuous in its upper part with a laterally expanded crown-like portion (12), wherein at least said stent-like portion is covered with a covering layer (32) comprising a biocompatible fabric, pericardial tissue or combination thereof, and wherein said stent-like portion is fitted with two or more valve leaflets (36a, 36b). The invention also includes within its scope a cardiac valve support device (18) comprising a tubular stent-like portion that is continuous in its upper part with a laterally expanded crown-like portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides an intracardiac device suitable for minimally-invasive delivery, wherein said device comprises a device body and one more stabilizing elements attached to said device body. The stabilizing elements may be selected from the group consisting of: stabilizing wings having at least one portion with a thickness greater than that of the device body, wings comprising one or more auxiliary support arms, wings having a metal wire coil wound around them, wings having a leaf spring attached thereto, polymer-coated stabilizing wings, and mechanical stabilization elements comprising a rotatable jaw-like structure.

Abstract: Cardiac valve supports and their methods of use.

Abstract: The present invention is primarily directed to a valve support device suitable for endovascular and/or transapical implantation at or near to a cardiac valve annulus, comprising one or more support rings and one or more height-increasing elements attached to the inner circumference of said support rings. Preferred embodiments of height-increasing elements for use in the present invention include wire springs of various types, fabric sleeves and tab-like elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides an intracardiac device suitable for minimally-invasive delivery, wherein said device comprises a device body and one more stabilizing elements attached to said device body. The stabilizing elements may be selected from the group consisting of: stabilizing wings having at least one portion with a thickness greater than that of the device body, wings comprising one or more auxiliary support arms, wings having a metal wire coil wound around them, wings having a leaf spring attached thereto, polymer-coated stabilizing wings, and mechanical stabilization elements comprising a rotatable jaw-like structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides an intracardiac device (60) suitable for endovascular and/or transapical implantation at a cardiac valve annulus, wherein said device comprises means for reducing paravalvular leakage (PVL), said means being selected from the group consisting of: lateral-edge extensions, one or more tubular sealing elements, one or more barbs, an inferiorly-directed circumferential fabric skirt (68) attached to the inner circumference of the intracardiac device and an inferiorly-directed fabric curtain attached to the outer circumference of said device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cardiac valve support device adapted for endovascular delivery to a cardiac valve, wherein said support device comprises either a single support element with valve leaflets connected thereto or two interconnected support elements having valve leaflets connected to one of said two elements. The invention further encompasses a two-stage method for implanting a replacement cardiac valve, wherein the first stage comprises delivering a valve support device fitted with one or more valve leaflets to a location near a subject's cardiac valve, such that said valve leaflets fulfill the function previously fulfilled by the native valve.

Abstract: The present device provides a delivery device (10) suitable for delivering a cardiac valve support device (11) that comprises at least one support element (14, 19) and two or more stabilizing elements (16), wherein said delivery device comprises a proximal handle and an outer conduit (12) that is continuous therewith, and wherein said delivery device further comprises various means for controlling the release of said support element from the open distal end of said outer conduit and means for retaining the support device stabilizing elements in a closed conformation, and independently controlling their release.

Abstract: The present invention is primarily directed a prosthetic cardiac valve support device adapted for endovascular delivery to a cardiac valve, comprising a single ring-shaped support element having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, wherein said support element has an outer perimeter that is entirely rigid, wherein said support element is fitted with one or more intra-ventricular and/or intra-atrial stabilizing elements, and wherein said support element has a collapsed delivery configuration and a deployed configuration.

Abstract: An intracardiac device comprising a ring-shaped body and one or more anchoring or stabilizing elements attached to said body, said elements being selected from the group consisting of levered anchoring arms, elongate anchoring arms, and lateral extension elements, wherein said device is able to move between two conformations, a collapsed conformation suitable for insertion into a delivery catheter, and an open conformation, suitable for implantation at a cardiac valve annulus.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for assisting in the ventricular function of a treated heart, and tools for delivering and attaching elements of said devices to the wall of the heart. In general the devices of the invention are designed to assist in the ventricular function of the heart by utilizing elastic, and/or magnetic, elements designed to apply radially and/or tangentially directed forces over the wall of the heart, and/or alter the pressure conditions inside ventricle(s) of the heart. Embodiments of the invention may utilize restrictive elements which may optionally be attached over the heart during the implantation procedure, or at a later time, by changing the mode of operation of an implanted device of the invention.

Abstract: Cardiac valve supports and their methods of use.

Abstract: In an aspect, there is a prosthetic valve modification device adapted for endovascular delivery to a cardiac valve. The valve includes first and second support elements each having a collapsed delivery configuration and a deployed configuration. There are at least two bridging members extending from the first support element to the second support element, the bridging members having a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration. The bridging members either extend radially inward from the first and second support elements in the deployed configuration or are entirely straight and devoid of any visible curvature when in said deployed configuration.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for assisting in the ventricular function of a treated heart, and tools for delivering and attaching elements of said devices to the wall of the heart. In general the devices are designed to assist in the ventricular function of the heart by utilizing elastic, and/or magnetic, elements designed to apply radially and/or tangentially directed forces over the wall of the heart, and/or alter the pressure conditions inside ventricle(s) of the heart. Embodiments may utilize restrictive elements which may optionally be attached over the heart during the implantation procedure, or at a later time, by changing the mode of operation of an implanted device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ventricular function assisting device configured to be implanted in a heart ventricle designed in a form of flower-like configuration comprising two or more petals attached at a base section, said petals comprise elastic elements and/or portions capable of being elastically bent in radial directions and optionally also in sideway and/or longitudinal directions, which allow changing the state of the device between: i) a folded conformation, in which its petals are radially pressed inwardly towards each other to assume a reduced diameter of its flower-like configuration; and ii) a deployed conformation, in which the petals are opened in a radial outward direction as the device is discharged from the delivery tube or sheath into a heart ventricle and implanted thereinside in a preloaded state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for improving diastolic function of the heart comprising elastic elements and attachment elements, wherein said elastic elements and said attachment elements are configured such that they are capable of being interconnected to form a chain formed of an alternating series of said elastic elements and said attachment elements, and wherein said attachment elements are adapted to be anchored in the wall of the heart and with option for drug delivery to the wall of the heart. The invention further provides devices, methods and kits, for mounting the ventricular function assisting device of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ventricular function assisting device configured to be implanted in a heart ventricle designed in a form of flower-like configuration comprising two or more petals attached at a base section, said petals comprise elastic elements and/or portions capable of being elastically bent in radial directions and optionally also in sideway and/or longitudinal directions, which allow changing the state of the device between: i) a folded conformation, in which its petals are radially pressed inwardly towards each other to assume a reduced diameter of its flower-like configuration; and ii) a deployed conformation, in which the petals are opened in a radial outward direction as the device is discharged from the delivery tube or sheath into a heart ventricle and implanted thereinside in a preloaded state.