Abstract: A prosthesis can comprise an expandable frame, a plurality of distal anchors and a plurality of proximal anchors. The anchors can extend outwardly from the frame. The frame can be configured to radially expand and contract for deployment within a body cavity. The frame and anchors can have one of many different shapes and configurations. For example, when the frame is in an expanded configuration, the frame can have a larger cross-sectional dimension in a middle portion of the frame and a smaller cross-sectional dimension in a proximal portion and a distal portion of the frame, wherein the middle portion is between the proximal and distal portions. As another example, the anchors can have looped ends, the entire anchor may loop out from the frame.

Abstract: Disclosed are a catheter-based “kissing balloon” systems and methods of connecting blood vessels or creating an access path between blood vessels. The system includes a first delivery or passing catheter in a first vessel and a second receiving catheter in a second vessel that cooperate to create a path between the vessels. A passing catheter balloon is arranged to mate with or “kiss” a receiving catheter balloon to align the vessels before a piercing element is extended to puncture both vessels and optionally puncture a balloon. A guidewire is delivered through a lumen of the piercing element, and a distal end of the guidewire is trapped in a cage of the receiving catheter. The guidewire can then be used to deliver additional implanted devices while the passing catheter, receiving catheter, or both are removed.

Abstract: A system and method for treating heart failure of a patient by occluding blood flow from the azygos vein to the superior vena cava while allowing blood to flow through a shunt from the right pulmonary artery to the azygos vein. The system can include an occluder with an expandable cage positioned in the azygos vein to selectively control the flow of blood to the superior vena cava. The occluder can expand and collapse based on pressure measurements received from implanted pressure sensors.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described herein to provide improved steerability for delivering a prosthesis to a body location, for example, for delivering a replacement heart valve to a native heart valve location. A delivery component can have a plurality of slots that provide for desired bending of the delivery component, particularly compound bending of the delivery component that can facilitate steering of the delivery component in three dimensions.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described herein to provide improved steerability for delivering a prosthesis to a body location, for example, for delivering a replacement mitral valve to a native mitral valve location. A delivery component can have a plurality of slots that provide for desired bending of the delivery component, particularly compound bending of the delivery component that can facilitate steering of the delivery component in three dimensions.

Abstract: Various systems, devices, components and methods are disclosed for controllably and selectively occluding, restricting, and/or diverting flow within a patient's vasculature. The flow restriction systems can include an implant having a flow restrictor and an implantable controller having an actuator for actuating the flow restrictor. The flow restriction systems can also include an external device for controlling operation of the implant via the implantable controller.

Abstract: A system for treating atrial dysfunction, including heart failure and/or atrial fibrillation, that includes one or more pressurizing elements and control circuitry. The one or more pressurizing elements can comprise one or more balloons and can be configured to be positioned in the left atrium, and optionally the pulmonary artery, of a patient's heart. The one or more pressurizing elements can be coupled to one or more positioning structures that can be configured to position the one or more pressurizing elements in the left atrium, and optionally the pulmonary artery. The control circuitry can be configured to operate the one or more pressurizing elements to decrease or increase pressure and/or volume in the left atrium, and optionally the pulmonary artery, in accordance with different phases of the cardiac cycle.

Abstract: A prosthesis can comprise an expandable frame, a plurality of distal anchors and a plurality of proximal anchors. The anchors can extend outwardly from the frame. The frame can be configured to radially expand and contract for deployment within a body cavity. The frame and anchors can have one of many different shapes and configurations. For example, when the frame is in an expanded configuration, the proximal anchors can extend a significant distance away from the exterior of the frame, such as a length equal to or greater than about one half the diameter of the frame. As another example, the anchors can have looped ends.

Abstract: A replacement heart valve includes a self-expanding frame having an upstream end and a downstream end. A plurality of anchors extends from the downstream end of the frame. A valve skirt is attached to the frame and a valve body is attached to the valve skirt, wherein the valve body includes leaflets for providing one-way flow through the replacement valve. The frame preferably includes a plurality of connector eyelets sized to receive at least one tether. The replacement heart valve is radially collapsible for delivery within a delivery device and radially expandable for engaging a native heart valve annulus upon release from the delivery device. The tether may be used to control expansion and/or adjust the diameter of the replacement heart valve during deployment.

Abstract: Various systems, devices, components and methods are disclosed for controllably and selectively occluding, restricting, and/or diverting flow within a patient's vasculature. The flow restriction systems can include an implant having a flow restrictor and an implantable controller having an actuator for actuating the flow restrictor. The flow restriction systems can also include an external device for controlling operation of the implant via the implantable controller.

Abstract: A prosthetic cardiac valve comprises an anchor having an atrial skirt, an annular region, and a ventricular skirt. The prosthetic valve also has a plurality of prosthetic valve leaflets each having a first end and a free end. The first end is coupled with the anchor and the free end is opposite the first end. The prosthetic cardiac valve has an open configuration in which the free ends of the prosthetic valve leaflets are disposed away from one another to allow antegrade blood flow therepast, and a closed configuration in which the free ends of the prosthetic valve leaflets engage one another and substantially prevent retrograde blood flow therepast. The anchor has a collapsed configuration for delivery to the heart and an expanded configuration for anchoring the prosthetic cardiac valve to a patient's heart.

Abstract: A prosthesis can comprise an expandable frame, a plurality of distal anchors and a plurality of proximal anchors. The anchors can extend outwardly from the frame. The frame can be configured to radially expand and contract for deployment within a body cavity. The frame and anchors can have one of many different shapes and configurations. For example, when the frame is in an expanded configuration, the proximal anchors can extend a significant distance away from the exterior of the frame, such as a length equal to or greater than about one half the diameter of the frame. As another example, the anchors can have looped ends.

Abstract: A replacement heart valve has an expandable frame configured to engage a native valve annulus and a valve body mounted to the expandable frame. The valve body can have a plurality of valve leaflets configured to open to allow flow in a first direction and engage one another so as to close and prevent flow in a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A system for treating atrial dysfunction, including heart failure and/or atrial fibrillation, that includes one or more pressurizing elements and control circuitry. The one or more pressurizing elements can comprise one or more balloons and can be configured to be positioned in the left atrium, and optionally the pulmonary artery, of a patient's heart. The one or more pressurizing elements can be coupled to one or more positioning structures that can be configured to position the one or more pressurizing elements in the left atrium, and optionally the pulmonary artery. The control circuitry can be configured to operate the one or more pressurizing elements to decrease or increase pressure and/or volume in the left atrium, and optionally the pulmonary artery, in accordance with different phases of the cardiac cycle.

Abstract: Various systems, devices, components and methods are disclosed for controllably and selectively occluding, restricting, and/or diverting flow within a patient's vasculature. The flow restriction systems can include an implant having a flow restrictor and an implantable controller having an actuator for actuating the flow restrictor. The flow restriction systems can also include an external device for controlling operation of the implant via the implantable controller.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to prosthetic valves and methods and systems for deploying, positioning, and recapturing the same. A prosthetic valve includes one or more support structures. At least one of the one or more support structures defines an elongate central passageway of the prosthetic valve. The prosthetic valve can also include a plurality of leaflet elements attached to at least one of the one or more support structures and disposed within the elongate central passageway for control of fluid flow through the elongate central passageway. At least one of the one or more support structures is configured to biodynamically fix the prosthetic valve within a native valve such as, for example, a native tricuspid valve of a heart.

Abstract: Various systems, devices, components and methods are disclosed for controllably and selectively occluding, restricting, and/or diverting flow within a patient's vasculature. The flow restriction systems can include an implant having a flow restrictor and an implantable controller having an actuator for actuating the flow restrictor. The flow restriction systems can also include an external device for controlling operation of the implant via the implantable controller.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes an expandable stent frame including struts arranged in a zig-zag pattern and leaflets supported within the frame. The leaflets allow blood to flow in only one direction through the frame for replacing the function of a native heart valve, wherein each leaflet has a downstream edge and a cusp edge with opposing side edges. An inner skirt is positioned inside the frame and includes leaflet supports extending from an upstream ring portion of the skirt. The leaflet supports taper in width in a direction extending from the upstream end portion of the frame toward the downstream end portion of the frame. Each leaflet support is disposed between and coupled to adjacent side edges of two adjacent leaflets.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a radially expandable annular frame and a valve body disposed inside the frame. The valve body includes three leaflets configured to regulate the flow of blood through the frame in one direction. The prosthetic heart valve also includes an annular inner skirt secured to an inner surface of the frame. The inner skirt has an inflow edge oriented toward an inflow end of the frame, an outflow edge oriented toward an outflow end of the frame, and first and second lateral edges extending from the inflow edge to the outflow edge, wherein the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge are secured together. The first lateral edge and the second lateral edge are oriented at an oblique angle relative to a plane that is perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the frame.

Abstract: Various systems, devices, components and methods are disclosed for controllably and selectively occluding, restricting, and/or diverting flow within a patient's vasculature. The flow restriction systems can include an implant having a flow restrictor and an implantable controller having an actuator for actuating the flow restrictor. The flow restriction systems can also include an external device for controlling operation of the implant via the implantable controller.