Abstract: A release device (160, 160a, 160b) for releasing a medical implant (155) from an insertion device (120), said release device comprising a body (10, 10a, 10b) with a proximal end (12) and a distal end (14), wherein a first grip segment (34, 34?), a second grip segment (34, 34?) and at least one actuator (26) are provided between the proximal and the distal end (12, 14), wherein the at least one actuator (26) is manually operable and can be brought substantially into at least the first grip segment (34) substantially axially displaceably in order to effect an intended relative movement in the longitudinal direction (22) between the first and the second insertion element (140, 145) of the insertion device (120).

Abstract: A release device (150, 150a, 150b) for detaching a medical implant (105) from an insertion device (110), comprising a body (10, 10a, 10b) having a proximal end (12), which during use lies furthest from a distal end (120) of the insertion device (110), and a distal end (14), which during use faces the distal end (120) of the insertion device (110), wherein at least one first actuator (16, 18) is provided between the proximal and distal ends (12, 14), wherein the at least first actuator (16, 18) can be tilted about an axis substantially perpendicularly to at least one of the insertion elements (132, 134) so as to effect a targeted relative movement in the longitudinal direction between the first and second insertion elements (132, 134) of the insertion device (110).

Abstract: A device for treatment of mitral annulus dilation is disclosed, wherein the device comprises two states. In a first of these states the device is insertable into the coronary sinus and has a shape of the coronary sinus. When positioned in the coronary sinus, the device is transferable to the second state assuming a reduced radius of curvature, whereby the radius of curvature of the coronary sinus and the radius of curvature as well as the circumference of the mitral annulus is reduced.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to a catheter comprising a dilatable balloon, characterized in that the primary balloon wall is produced from a material that comprises or consists of a polyamide/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PA/PVP) polymer mixture.

Abstract: A balloon catheter, including an outer shaft with a distal end and a fluid line, an inner part located distal anterior to its distal end, as well as a balloon that can be inflated under the influence of a fluid that has been pressurized by the fluid line, that is fastened fluid-tight onto the distal end section of the outer shaft with a first fastening zone at its proximal end, and fluid-tight onto inner part with a second fastening zone at its distal end, whereby the balloon, on at least one of its two ends is designed without cone and with essentially unvarying thin wall thickness, the balloon is provided on at least one of its two ends with respectively one twist anterior to its fastening zone, and a second balloon is placed above the first balloon and is also provided with a twist on at least one of its two ends anterior to the fastening zone, that is directed in the opposite direction of the twist of the first balloon end that is positioned underneath.

Abstract: A catheter basically has a catheter shaft in which a catheter tip of which is provided with a joint made of a material which is more flexible than the material of the catheter shaft. The joint is disposed between the distal end of the catheter shaft and the distal end of the catheter tip. The front end consists of a material being the same or more rigid than that of the catheter shaft.

Abstract: A mechanical transcatheter heart valve prosthesis including a support structure that can be expanded from a first size designed for minimally invasive insertion to a functional second size and a flexible heart valve made of a composite material containing woven fabric that is embedded in an elastic matrix and locally reinforced by fibers, the heart valve comprising a plurality of leaflets.

Abstract: A valve for a heart valve prosthesis comprising a valve membrane composed of at least one spiral strip which, in the closed state of the valve membrane, assumes the form of an Archimedean spiral, wherein the outer edge regions of the spiral strip overlap an inner edge region of the spiral strip of a previous winding of the spiral.

Abstract: A device for treatment of mitral annulus dilation is disclosed, wherein the device comprises two states. In a first of these states the device is insertable into the coronary sinus and has a shape of the coronary sinus. When positioned in the coronary sinus, the device is transferable to the second state assuming a reduced radius of curvature, whereby the radius of curvature of the coronary sinus and the radius of curvature as well as the circumference of the mitral annulus is reduced.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for sealing a puncture within a vessel or tissue to provide hemostasis, comprising a first disk coupled to either a second disk or a spring, and sealingly engaged to the vessel or tissue surrounding the puncture. At least the first disk is preferably configured to substantially conform to the profile of the vessel or tissue when deployed. In one embodiment, the disks may be released from engagement with the vessel or tissue to reposition the disks after deployment.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for sealing a puncture within a vessel or tissue to provide hemostasis, comprising a first disk coupled to either a second disk or a spring, and sealingly engaged to the vessel or tissue surrounding the puncture. At least the first disk is preferably configured to substantially conform to the profile of the vessel or tissue when deployed. In one embodiment, the disks may be released from engagement with the vessel or tissue to reposition the disks after deployment.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for sealing a puncture within a vessel or tissue to provide hemostasis, comprising a first disk coupled to either a second disk or a spring, and sealingly engaged to the vessel or tissue surrounding the puncture. At least the first disk is preferably configured to substantially conform to the profile of the vessel or tissue when deployed. In one embodiment, the disks may be released from engagement with the vessel or tissue to reposition the disks after deployment.

Abstract: A device for treatment of mitral annulus dilation is disclosed, wherein the device comprises two states. In a first of these states the device is insertable into the coronary sinus and has a shape of the coronary sinus. When positioned in the coronary sinus, the device is transferable to the second state assuming a reduced radius of curvature, whereby the radius of curvature of the coronary sinus and the radius of curvature as well as the circumference of the mitral annulus is reduced.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for sealing a vascular puncture by causing a reduction in the circumference of the puncture tract through delivery of a closure agent into tissue surrounding the puncture tract. A resultant inflammatory response and volumetric increase cause the tissue to swell into the puncture tract, thereby sealing it.

Abstract: A method for connecting a catheter balloon with a catheter shaft of a balloon catheter that improves the welding quality of a weld between the catheter balloon and the catheter shaft of the balloon catheter. Preferably, a welding energy absorbing device is arranged, preferably in the form of a coloured tubing, in the area of a fixation site after attaching a pre-fixation and then to irradiate this welding energy absorbing device with the radiation energy to carry out the welding. After the welding the pre-fixation and the welding energy absorbing device are removed.

Abstract: A catheter balloon is configured to improve its fold-in or collapsing behavior. The catheter balloon has a balloon body portion, a first tapered end portion and a second tapered end portion. The balloon body portion has a substantially cylindrical shape in an expanded state. The first tapered end portion is formed at a first end of the balloon body portion. The first tapered end portion includes a first predetermined embossment. The second tapered end portion is formed at a second end of the balloon body portion. The second tapered end portion includes a second predetermined embossment. The balloon body portion is formed free of a predetermined embossment. In other words, the balloon body portion is formed without folds so that there is only predetermined folding on the conical end portions for inducing the folding of the balloon body portion in a predetermined direction upon collapsing.

Abstract: A device for reshaping a cardiac valve (26), which is elongate and has such dimensions as to be insertable into a cardiac vessel (24). The device has two states, in a first state (K) of which the device has a shape that is adaptable to the shape of the vessel (24), and to the second state (k?) of which the device is transferable from said first state (K). Further, the device comprises a fixing means (22,23;22a,23a) for fixing the ends of the device within the vessel (24), when the device is first positioned therein, a shape-changing member (20;20a) for transferring the device to the second state (K?) by reshaping it, and a delay means (21;21a) for delaying said reshaping until the fixing of the ends of the device has been reinforced by keeping said device in said first state (K) until the delay means (21;21a) is resorbed.

Abstract: An implant having a preferably hollow cylindrical basic structure. A nonwoven fabric is disposed in and/or on the basic structure, the nonwoven fabric preferably comprising biocompatible thermoplastic polyurethane and/or a polymer selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid; polycaprolactone, and a copolymer thereof, and/or a polymer including polyphosphazene. At least in at least one section of the implant, preferably at the proximal and/or distal ends of the implant, fastening means are provided or the nonwoven fabric is treated such that, at least in the expanded state of the implant, the protrusion of nonwoven fabric sections from the implant is significantly reduced. Furthermore, a method for producing such an implant is provided.

Abstract: A catheter basically has a catheter shaft in which a catheter tip of which is provided with a joint made of a material which is more flexible than the material of the catheter shaft. The joint is disposed between the distal end of the catheter shaft and the distal end of the catheter tip. The front end consists of a material being the same or more rigid than that of the catheter shaft.

Abstract: A balloon catheter, including an outer shaft with a distal end and a fluid line, an inner part located distal anterior to its distal end, as well as a balloon that can be inflated under the influence of a fluid that has been pressurized by the fluid line, that is fastened fluid-tight onto the distal end section of the outer shaft with a first fastening zone at its proximal end, and fluid-tight onto inner part with a second fastening zone at its distal end, whereby the balloon, on at least one of its two ends is designed without cone and with essentially unvarying thin wall thickness, the balloon is provided on at least one of its two ends with respectively one twist anterior to its fastening zone, and a second balloon is placed above the first balloon and is also provided with a twist on at least one of its two ends anterior to the fastening zone, that is directed in the opposite direction of the twist of the first balloon end that is positioned underneath.