Abstract: An expandable introducer apparatus comprising an inner tubular layer comprising an inner lumen and a radially expandable region extending along an elongated axis of the inner lumen and configured to at least partially radially expand relative to the elongated axis from a contracted orientation to an expanded orientation. An outer tubular layer comprising an inner surface bonded to the inner tubular layer, wherein a distal segment of the inner tubular layer extends beyond a distal end of the outer tubular layer. A flexible tubular member comprising a bonded region and a flexible region, wherein an inner surface of the bonded region is bonded to an outer surface of the distal segment of the inner tubular layer, and the flexible region is not bonded to the radially expandable region of the inner tubular layer.

Abstract: An expandable introducer includes an expandable introducer sheath coupled to an extending distally from an introducer hub via a connector. A distal portion of the introducer sheath includes a tip coupled to the sheath, the tip including a first circumferential portion and a second circumferential portion, the second circumferential portion being more flexible than the first circumferential portion. The second circumferential portion of the tip is circumferentially aligned with a folded portion of the sheath.

Abstract: An expandable introducer apparatus comprising an inner tubular layer comprising an inner lumen and a radially expandable region extending along an elongated axis of the inner lumen and configured to at least partially radially expand relative to the elongated axis from a contracted orientation to an expanded orientation. An outer tubular layer comprising an inner surface bonded to the inner tubular layer, wherein a distal segment of the inner tubular layer extends beyond a distal end of the outer tubular layer. A flexible tubular member comprising a bonded region and a flexible region, wherein an inner surface of the bonded region is bonded to an outer surface of the distal segment of the inner tubular layer, and the flexible region is not bonded to the radially expandable region of the inner tubular layer.

Abstract: An expandable introducer includes a hub and a tubular sheath (121) coupled thereto. The tubular sheath (121) defines a central lumen (103). A circumference of the tubular sheath includes a full thickness region (162) having a first wall thickness (T2) and a reduced thickness region (161) having a second wall thickness (T1) smaller than the first wall thickness (T2). The reduced thickness region (162) is configured to be folded such that the tubular sheath includes an unexpanded, folded state and is configured to expand to an expanded, unfolded state in response to a device passing though the central lumen (103). A first outer diameter of the tubular sheath in the unexpanded, folded state is smaller than a second outer diameter of the tubular sheath in the expanded, unfolded state.

Abstract: An expandable introducer includes a hub having a distal end and a proximal end, and a sheath coupled to the hub and extending distally therefrom, the sheath defining a central lumen. The sheath is configured to radially expand from a radially unexpanded, folded state having a first diameter and to a radially expanded, unfolded state having a second diameter larger than the first diameter in response to a device passing through the central lumen. A wall of the sheath includes a thick wall region having a first wall thickness and a thin wall region having a second wall thickness smaller than the first wall thickness, wherein the thick wall region includes a coil embedded within the wall of the sheath.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve delivery assembly includes a dilator including a first tapered region extending along a dilator axis. The first tapered region includes a tapered shape with a first diameter at a distal end and a second diameter at a first central end. The second diameter is greater than the first diameter. A central region includes the second diameter that is substantially constant along a central length of the central region. A second tapered region includes a tapered shape with the second diameter at the second central end and a third diameter at a third central end. The third diameter is less than the second diameter. A proximal shaft region extends from the third central end. The proximal shaft region includes the third diameter such that a difference between the second diameter and the third diameter is within a French gauge range from about 3 Fr to about 5 Fr.

Abstract: A method of treating a heart of a patient is provided. The method includes implanting a first tissue anchor in cardiac tissue of the patient and a second tissue anchor in the patient, such that the first and the second tissue anchors are coupled together by one or more tethers. Thereafter, after allowing at least 24 hours for tissue growth on the first tissue anchor to strengthen anchoring of the first tissue anchor in the cardiac tissue, tension is applied between the first and the second tissue anchors using at least a longitudinal portion of the one or more tethers. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method of treating a heart of a patient is provided. The method includes implanting a first tissue anchor in cardiac tissue of the patient and a second tissue anchor in the patient, such that the first and the second tissue anchors are coupled together by one or more tethers. Thereafter, after allowing at least 24 hours for tissue growth on the first tissue anchor to strengthen anchoring of the first tissue anchor in the cardiac tissue, tension is applied between the first and the second tissue anchors using at least a longitudinal portion of the one or more tethers. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method of treating a heart of a patient is provided. The method includes implanting a first tissue anchor in cardiac tissue of the patient and a second tissue anchor in the patient, such that the first and the second tissue anchors are coupled together by one or more tethers. Thereafter, after allowing at least 24 hours for tissue growth on the first tissue anchor to strengthen anchoring of the first tissue anchor in the cardiac tissue, tension is applied between the first and the second tissue anchors using at least a longitudinal portion of the one or more tethers. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method of treating a heart of a patient is provided. The method includes implanting a first tissue anchor in cardiac tissue of the patient and a second tissue anchor in the patient, such that the first and the second tissue anchors are coupled together by one or more tethers. Thereafter, after allowing at least 24 hours for tissue growth on the first tissue anchor to strengthen anchoring of the first tissue anchor in the cardiac tissue, tension is applied between the first and the second tissue anchors using at least a longitudinal portion of the one or more tethers. Other embodiments are also described.