Abstract: A collapsible and expandable prosthetic atrioventricular valve may include an outer stent, an inner stent, and a plurality of prosthetic leaflets mounted within the inner stent. The outer stent may have an atrial disc, a ventricular disc, and a plurality of posts coupling the atrial disc to the ventricular disc. A plurality of connectors may extend between the inner stent and the outer stent to couple the inner stent to the outer stent. The outer stent may be devoid of metal in a space circumferentially extending between adjacent ones of the plurality of posts. The space may extending approximately one half, approximately one third, or approximately one fourth of a circumference of the outer stent.

Abstract: A deployment control system provides controlled deployment of an embolic protection device which may include a guide wire, an expandable filter attached to the guide wire near its distal end, and a restraining sheath that maintains the expanded filter in a collapsed position. The deployment control system includes a torque control device which allows the physician to torque the guide wire into the patient's anatomy and a mechanism for preventing the guide wire from buckling as the restraining sheath is being retracted to deploy the expandable filter. A recovery control system for recovering the embolic protection device includes an inner catheter which extends within a lumen of an outer recovery sheath in a coaxial arrangement. A distal portion of the inner catheter extends beyond another recovery sheath during advancement of the recovery system into the vasculature. The recovery sheath can be advanced over the inner catheter to collapse the expandable filter.

Abstract: An embolic filtering system includes a guide wire, a filter device disposed on the guide wire, a sheath adapted to maintain the filter device in an unexpanded position and a torque device having a lumen for receiving the guide wire and a locking mechanism for locking the torque device to the guide wire. The torque device may include a side port adapted to receive the proximal end of the sheath to allow a portion of the guide wire to shear the sheath from the guide wire through retraction of the sheath through the side port. The torque device may include an extension arm having a distal opening adapted to receive both the guide wire and the sheath. A second lumen may be used to allow a portion of the guide wire to shear the sheath away from the guide wire through retraction of the sheath through the second lumen.

Abstract: An aerial tramway system that conveys carriers between terminals along a haul rope, in which the carriers (a) detach from the haul rope within at least one of the terminals for loading and unloading, and (b) reattach to the haul rope for conveyance to the next terminal, includes one or more Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs) within at least one of the terminals, that move the carriers for at least part of the time that the carriers are detached from the haul rope. The system also includes a plurality of the carriers, each carrier comprising a reaction rail that includes at least one magnet configured for magnetic interaction with the one or more LSMs. A carrier for an aerial tramway system includes a chair, a freight carrier or a gondola, and a reaction rail that interacts with a linear synchronous motor of the system, to control movement of the carrier.

Abstract: A guide catheter includes an outer guide having an open lumen and a longitudinal pre-stress line extending between a distal end and a proximal end of the outer guide. The outer guide has a longitudinal stiffness that facilitates transmission of forces and prevention of kinking during steering of the outer guide within cardiac vasculature and structures. An inner guide has an open lumen and is movably displaceable within the open lumen of the outer guide. At least a distal end of the outer guide and inner guide are dimensioned for passage into the patient's coronary sinus. A guide handle is connected to the proximal end of the outer guide and includes a longitudinal pre-stress line separable into at least two sections such that guide handle separation splits the outer guide along the longitudinal pre-stress line at the proximal end of the outer guide.

Abstract: An anchor for an implantable medical device, for example, and implantable physiologic sensor, includes a proximal hub portion, an intermediate portion extending radially and distally from the hub portion, and a distal portion extending distally from the proximal portion and adapted to engage an inner surface of a target vessel for securing the implantable medical device therein. The anchor can assume a collapsed configuration for delivery through a catheter, and an expanded configuration for fixation within the vessel once deployed. The intermediate portion extends from the proximal portion at an oblique angle, allowing the anchor to be retracted and re-collapsed within the delivery catheter after initial deployment, if re-positioning or removal of the implantable medical device is necessary or desired.

Abstract: A catheter assembly is provided having an inner member and an outer member extending along a longitudinal axis, the inner member and the outer member having a coaxial configuration and dimensioned for relative axial movement. The outer member may include an anti rotation member adapted to engage with a longitudinal slot formed on the inner member so as to maintain rotational alignment between inner member and outer member. The inner member can be made with a proximal portion made from a tubing such as hypotubing or a coil tubing. The inner member also may be made with a proximal portion made with a support mandrel. A coil tubing can be utilized to form the guide wire receiving member which is attached to the inner member.

Abstract: A device for use in capturing or collecting debris found in blood vessels or other body lumens. The devices can be fabricated from a tube and include longitudinally and circumferentially extending members. The device can further embody structure that provides enhanced radial opening and angular resistance to collapse and structure for absorbing or modifying forces applied thereto by an operator.

Abstract: A device for use in capturing or collecting debris found in blood vessels or other body lumens. The devices can be fabricated from a tube and include longitudinally and circumferentially extending members. The device can further embody structure that provides enhanced radial opening and angular resistance to collapse and structure for absorbing or modifying forces applied thereto by an operator.

Abstract: A guide catheter includes an outer guide having an open lumen and a longitudinal pre-stress line extending between a distal end and a proximal end of the outer guide. The outer guide has a longitudinal stiffness that facilitates transmission of forces and prevention of kinking during steering of the outer guide within cardiac vasculature and structures. An inner guide has an open lumen and is movably displaceable within the open lumen of the outer guide. At least a distal end of the outer guide and inner guide are dimensioned for passage into the patient's coronary sinus. A guide handle is connected to the proximal end of the outer guide and includes a longitudinal pre-stress line separable into at least two sections such that guide handle separation splits the outer guide along the longitudinal pre-stress line at the proximal end of the outer guide.

Abstract: A deployment control system provides controlled deployment of an embolic protection device which may include a guide wire, an expandable filter attached to the guide wire near its distal end, and a restraining sheath that maintains the expanded filter in a collapsed position. The deployment control system includes a torque control device which allows the physician to torque the guide wire into the patient's anatomy and a mechanism for preventing the guide wire from buckling as the restraining sheath is being retracted to deploy the expandable filter. A recovery control system for recovering the embolic protection device includes an inner catheter which extends within a lumen of an outer recovery sheath in a coaxial arrangement. A distal portion of the inner catheter extends beyond another recovery sheath during advancement of the recovery system into the vasculature. The recovery sheath can be advanced over the inner catheter to collapse the expandable filter.

Abstract: A guide catheter includes an outer guide having an open lumen and a longitudinal pre-stress line extending between a distal end and a proximal end of the outer guide. The outer guide has a longitudinal stiffness that facilitates transmission of forces and prevention of kinking during steering of the outer guide within cardiac vasculature and structures. An inner guide has an open lumen and is movably displaceable within the open lumen of the outer guide. At least a distal end of the outer guide and inner guide are dimensioned for passage into the patient's coronary sinus. A guide handle is connected to the proximal end of the outer guide and includes a longitudinal pre-stress line separable into at least two sections such that guide handle separation splits the outer guide along the longitudinal pre-stress line at the proximal end of the outer guide.

Abstract: A deployment control system provides controlled deployment of an embolic protection device which may include a guide wire, an expandable filter attached to the guide wire near its distal end, and a restraining sheath that maintains the expanded filter in a collapsed position. The deployment control system includes a torque control device which allows the physician to torque the guide wire into the patient's anatomy and a mechanism for preventing the guide wire from buckling as the restraining sheath is being retracted to deploy the expandable filter. A recovery control system for recovering the embolic protection device includes an inner catheter which extends within a lumen of an outer recovery sheath in a coaxial arrangement. A distal portion of the inner catheter extends beyond another recovery sheath during advancement of the recovery system into the vasculature. The recovery sheath can be advanced over the inner catheter to collapse the expandable filter.

Abstract: A guide catheter employs a retractable inner sheath movably disposed within an open lumen of an outer sheath. The inner sheath includes a pre-formed distal end and an open lumen adapted to receive a payload. The inner sheath is translatable and rotatable relative to the outer sheath. The inner sheath conforms to the outer sheath shape until it is distally extended beyond the outer sheath. The outer sheath contains a steering tendon that can be used to adjustably deflect the outer sheath. The guide catheter further includes a proximally attached guide handle. A steering handle can be pivotably connected to the guide handle. The steering handle is connected to the steering tendon and can apply a tensile force to the steering tendon for adjustably deflecting the outer sheath. A catheter according to the present invention provides an improved system for locating and cannulating cardiac venous structures, particularly the coronary sinus via the right atrium.

Abstract: An anchor for an implantable medical device, for example, and implantable physiologic sensor, includes a proximal hub portion, an intermediate portion extending radially and distally from the hub portion, and a distal portion extending distally from the proximal portion and adapted to engage an inner surface of a target vessel for securing the implantable medical device therein. The anchor can assume a collapsed configuration for delivery through a catheter, and an expanded configuration for fixation within the vessel once deployed. The intermediate portion extends from the proximal portion at an oblique angle, allowing the anchor to be retracted and re-collapsed within the delivery catheter after initial deployment, if re-positioning or removal of the implantable medical device is necessary or desired.

Abstract: Methods of using a guide catheter employ a retractable inner guide movably disposed within an open lumen of a splittable outer guide. The outer guide includes a longitudinal pre-stress line extending from distal to proximal ends. The inner guide includes an open lumen adapted to receive a payload. The inner guide is translatable and rotatable relative to the outer guide. The guide catheter further includes a proximally attached guide handle which is separable into at least two sections. Separation of the guide handle splits the proximal end of the outer guide. Proximal outer guide retraction continues the splitting of the outer guide along the longitudinal pre-stress line.

Abstract: A guide catheter employs a retractable inner guide movably disposed within an open lumen of a splittable outer guide. The outer guide includes a longitudinal pre-stress line extending from distal to proximal ends. The inner guide includes an open lumen adapted to receive a payload. The inner guide is translatable and rotatable relative to the outer guide. The guide catheter further includes a proximally attached guide handle which is separable into at least two sections. Separation of the guide handle splits the proximal end of the outer guide. Proximal outer guide retraction continues the splitting of the outer guide along the longitudinal pre-stress line.

Abstract: Methods of accessing a destination vessel involve use of a catheter having an outer guide and an inner guide. The outer guide includes an outer guide lumen, a distal end, a proximal end, and a predetermined deflection location proximate the distal end. The inner guide includes an inner guide lumen, a pre-formed distal end, and a proximal end. An access method can involve axially displacing the inner guide beyond the distal end of the outer guide, axially rotating the inner guide relative to the outer guide, and changing a bend angle at the predetermined deflection location of the outer guide to direct the pre-formed distal end of the inner guide for finding and cannulating the destination vessel. A payload can be delivered into the destination vessel via the inner guide, or via the outer guide upon removal of the inner guide.

Abstract: Methods involving guide catheters include providing a guide catheter that has an outer sheath having an open lumen and a pre-shaped distal end, and an inner sheath having an open lumen and a distal end provided with a pre-formed shape. A steering tendon is disposed along the outer sheath, a distal end of which is connected to the outer sheath's distal tip. A steering mechanism is connected to a proximal end of the steering tendon and includes a guide handle. The inner sheath is rotated and longitudinally translated relative to the outer sheath, whereby the distal end of the inner sheath assumes its pre-formed shape when the inner sheath's distal end extends beyond the outer sheath's distal end. A pulling force applied to the steering tendon adjustably changes a shape of the outer sheath's pre-shaped distal end. A payload may be advanced through the inner sheath's open lumen.

Abstract: An expandable frame for an embolic filtering device used to capture embolic debris in a body vessel includes a first half frame having a first control arm connected to a second control arm by a partial loop and a second half frame having a first control arm connected to a second control arm by a partial loop. The partial loops cooperatively form a composite loop for attachment of a filtering element which will expand in the body vessel to capture embolic debris entrained in the fluid of the vessel. The expandable frame and filtering element can be mounted on a filter support structure, such as a coiled wire, and mounted on a guide wire. The expandable frames includes an articulation region which helps to distribute the strain which can be developed when the frame moves between an expanded and deployed position. The expandable frame may include further strain distributing bends which help distribute strain and increase the bendability of the frame.