Abstract: A replacement heart valve assembly where the valve is loaded into the catheter distally, and separately from the stent. The valve has a locking member and the stent has a locking channel. Once in the expanded position, the valve is pulled towards the stent until the locking member is engaged with the locking channel.

Abstract: A packaging system for storing a deployable medical device within a sterilized environment includes a sealed container; a tray disposed within the sealed container; a catheter assembly comprising at least one sheath; a deployable medical device engaged with the catheter assembly; and a sterilizing fluid. The tray comprises a first chamber; a second chamber in fluid communication therewith; and at least a third chamber between the first and second chambers, and in fluid communication with at least the first chamber. The deployable medical device is disposed within the tray in a storage configuration, in which the deployable medical device is disposed within the first chamber in a partially deployed state distally from a distal end of the catheter and the catheter assembly spans between the first chamber and the second chamber. The sterilizing fluid contacts at least a part of the deployable medical device in the storage configuration.

Abstract: A heart valve assembly for endovascular heart repair, where the valve is in an inverted position relative to the stent to reduce the diameter of the device for delivery and deployment. The heart valve assembly has an expandable stent and a valve. The valve having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the valve connected to the distal end of the expandable stent, wherein the valve extends distally from the distal end of the expandable stent.

Abstract: A replacement heart valve assembly where the valve is loaded into the catheter distally, and separately from the stent. The valve has a locking member and the stent has a locking channel. Once in the expanded position, the valve is pulled towards the stent until the locking member is engaged with the locking channel.

Abstract: A valve for endovascular heart valve repair that provides improved sealing of the valve against the native wall. The valve assembly has a sealing region at a distal end of the valve. The sealing region having a delivery position and a sealing position, wherein in the delivery position, the sealing region has a first length, and in the sealing position, the sealing region has a second length less than the first length and a thickness in the sealing position is greater in the sealing position than in the delivery position.

Abstract: A replacement heart valve assembly where the valve is loaded into the catheter distally, and separately from the stent. The valve has a locking member and the stent has a locking channel. Once in the expanded position, the valve is pulled towards the stent until the locking member is engaged with the locking channel.

Abstract: A valve for endovascular heart valve repair that provides improved sealing of the valve against the native wall. The valve assembly has a sealing region at a distal end of the valve. The sealing region having a delivery position and a sealing position, wherein in the delivery position, the sealing region has a first length, and in the sealing position, the sealing region has a second length less than the first length and a thickness in the sealing position is greater in the sealing position than in the delivery position.

Abstract: A packaging system for storing a deployable medical device within a sterilized environment includes a sealed container; a tray disposed within the sealed container; a catheter assembly comprising at least one sheath; a deployable medical device engaged with the catheter assembly; and a sterilizing fluid. The tray comprises a first chamber; a second chamber in fluid communication therewith; and at least a third chamber between the first and second chambers, and in fluid communication with at least the first chamber. The deployable medical device is disposed within the tray in a storage configuration, in which the deployable medical device is disposed within the first chamber in a partially deployed state distally from a distal end of the catheter and the catheter assembly spans between the first chamber and the second chamber. The sterilizing fluid contacts at least a part of the deployable medical device in the storage configuration.

Abstract: A sterilized packaging system for a deployable medical device comprises a sealed container with a tray disposed within the sealed container. The tray comprises a first chamber at a proximal end of the tray and at least a deployable medical device is disposed within the first chamber in a storage configuration, wherein the deployable medical device is engaged with the catheter and positioned in a partially deployed state distally from the distal end of a catheter. A sterilizing fluid is disposed within at least the first chamber.

Abstract: A device for temporarily sealing an opening in a blood vessel is provided. The device comprises a cutting mechanism for creating an opening in a blood vessel and a seal for sealing the opening in the blood vessel. The seal is delivered through an inner lumen of a tool body coupled to the cutting mechanism. Methods for using the device to construct an anastomosis between two vessels are also provided.

Abstract: A heart valve replacement device comprises a stent having a first end, a second end, an outer surface, and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a lumen; and a valve disposed within the lumen of the stent, the valve formed from a single sheet of tissue, the valve having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a thickness between the outer surface and the inner surface, the valve comprising at least three leaflets, wherein, the valve is attached to the stent with minimal sutures. The leaflets are formed with a curvilinear surface.

Abstract: A sterilized packaging system for a deployable medical device comprises a sealed container with a tray disposed within the sealed container. The tray comprises a first chamber at a proximal end of the tray and at least a deployable medical device is disposed within the first chamber in a storage configuration, wherein the deployable medical device is engaged with the catheter and positioned in a partially deployed state distally from the distal end of a catheter. A sterilizing fluid is disposed within at least the first chamber.

Abstract: Suction-assisted tissue-engaging devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that can be employed through minimal surgical incisions to engage tissue during a medical procedure through application of suction to the tissue through a suction member applied to the tissue. A shaft is introduced into a body cavity through a first incision, and a suction head is attached to the shaft via a second incision. The suction head is applied against the tissue by manipulation of the shaft and suction is applied to engage the tissue while the medical procedure is performed through the second incision. A system coupled to the shaft and a fixed reference point stabilizes the shaft and suction head. When the medical procedure is completed, suction is discontinued, the suction head is detached from the shaft and withdrawn from the body cavity through the second incision, and the shaft is retracted through the first incision.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a vessel support system and a method of vessel harvesting. The system can include a cutting device, a catheter adapted to be inserted into a section of the vessel in order to support the vessel as the cutting device is advanced over the vessel, and a cannula adapted to be coupled to the vessel and adapted to receive the catheter as the catheter is inserted into the section of the vessel. The method can include orienting a cutting device coaxially with the cannula and the catheter and advancing the cutting device over the cannula, the catheter, and the section of the vessel in order to core out the section of the vessel and a portion of the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for harvesting a vessel section. The system comprises a vessel support member, a handle, and a tubular cutting device. The vessel support member is introduced into the vessel section to be harvested. The tubular cutting device may comprise an outer tubular member or an outer and an inner tubular member. The outer tubular member carries at least one cutting element. The tubular member or members are advanced over the vessel section and vessel support member to core out the vessel section and tissue adjoining the vessel section.

Abstract: A device for temporarily sealing an opening in a blood vessel is provided. The device comprises a cutting mechanism for creating an opening in a blood vessel and a seal for sealing the opening in the blood vessel. The seal is delivered through an inner lumen of a tool body coupled to the cutting mechanism. Methods for using the device to construct an anastomosis between two vessels are also provided.

Abstract: Suction-assisted tissue-engaging devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that can be employed through minimal surgical incisions to engage tissue during a medical procedure through application of suction to the tissue through a suction member applied to the tissue. A shaft is introduced into a body cavity through a first incision, and a suction head is attached to the shaft via a second incision. The suction head is applied against the tissue by manipulation of the shaft and suction is applied to engage the tissue while the medical procedure is performed through the second incision. A system coupled to the shaft and a fixed reference point stabilizes the shaft and suction head. When the medical procedure is completed, suction is discontinued, the suction head is detached from the shaft and withdrawn from the body cavity through the second incision, and the shaft is retracted through the first incision.

Abstract: Tissue stabilizers including a clamp assembly, a turret assembly, an articulating arm having a tension element extending therethrough, a collet assembly and a head-link assembly are disclosed. Methods of stabilizing tissue are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus employed in surgery involving making precise incisions in vessels of the body, particularly cardiac blood vessels in coronary revascularization procedures conducted on the stopped or beating heart are disclosed. Such incisions are created by applying an elongated electrosurgical cutting electrode to the outer surface of the vessel wall in substantially parallel alignment with the body vessel axis, the elongated electrosurgical cutting electrode having a predetermined cutting electrode length exceeding the cutting electrode width. RF energy is applied between the electrosurgical cutting electrode and the ground electrode at an energy level and for a duration sufficient to cut an elongated slit through the vessel wall where the elongated electrosurgical cutting electrode is applied to the surface of the vessel wall.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a cutting device and method of vessel harvesting. The cutting device can include at least one tubular member, a cutting element, and a centering member. The cutting device can include at least one tubular member with a flexible section and a cutting element. The method of vessel harvesting can include spacing a cutting element of the cutting device from the vessel as the cutting element is advanced over the vessel.