Abstract: Disclosed are cardiac shunts and method of delivery, and in particular, to a shunt to reduce elevated left atrial pressure (LAP). The methods include forming a puncture hole between the left atrium and the coronary sinus, widening the puncture hole, and placing an expandable shunt within the widened puncture hole. A first catheter having a side-extending needle may be used to form a puncture into the left atrium. A second catheter extends along a guidewire and an expandable shunt with distal and proximal flanges is expelled therefrom into the puncture. The shunt defines a blood flow passage therethrough that permits shunting of blood from the left atrium to the coronary sinus when the LAP is elevated. The shunt is desirable formed of a super-elastic material and manipulated with control rods. The shunt defines a tilted flow tube that facilitates collapse into the catheter.

Abstract: Disclosed are cardiac shunts and method of delivery, and in particular, to a shunt to reduce elevated left atrial pressure (LAP). The methods include forming a puncture hole between the left atrium and the coronary sinus, widening the puncture hole, and placing an expandable shunt within the widened puncture hole. A first catheter having a side-extending needle may be used to form a puncture into the left atrium. A second catheter extends along a guidewire and an expandable shunt with distal and proximal flanges is expelled therefrom into the puncture. The shunt defines a blood flow passage therethrough that permits shunting of blood from the left atrium to the coronary sinus when the LAP is elevated. The shunt is desirable formed of a super-elastic material and manipulated with control rods. The shunt defines a tilted flow tube that facilitates collapse into the catheter.

Abstract: This application relates to methods, systems, and apparatus for replacing native heart valves with prosthetic heart valves and treating valvular insufficiency. In a representative embodiment, a support frame configured to be implanted in a heart valve comprises an annular main body formed by a plurality of angled struts, the main body including a plurality of peaks formed by the intersection of respective adjacent struts. The support frame further comprises one or more leaflet-engaging mechanisms configured to engage leaflets of the heart valve. The support frame can be radially expandable and collapsible.

Abstract: Disclosed are cardiac shunts and method of delivery, and in particular, to a shunt to reduce elevated left atrial pressure (LAP). The methods include forming a puncture hole between the left atrium and the coronary sinus, widening the puncture hole, and placing an expandable shunt within the widened puncture hole. A first catheter having a side-extending needle may be used to form a puncture into the left atrium. A second catheter extends along a guidewire and an expandable shunt with distal and proximal flanges is expelled therefrom into the puncture. The shunt defines a blood flow passage therethrough that permits shunting of blood from the left atrium to the coronary sinus when the LAP is elevated. The shunt is desirable formed of a super-elastic material and manipulated with control rods. The shunt defines a tilted flow tube that facilitates collapse into the catheter.

Abstract: In one representative embodiment, an implantable prosthetic device comprises a spacer body portion configured to be disposed between native leaflets of a heart, and an anchor portion configured to secure the native leaflets against the spacer body portion, wherein the prosthetic device is movable between a compressed configuration, in which the spacer body portion is radially compressed and is axially spaced relative to the anchor portion, and an expanded configuration, in which the spacer body portion expands radially outwardly relative to the compressed configuration and overlaps at least a portion of the anchor portion.

Abstract: A leaflet clip has an elongated member including a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and first and second clipping arms movable between an open position and a closed position. The clipping arms include respective proximal end portions coupled to the proximal end portion of the elongated member, and respective distal end portions extending distally and radially outward relative to the elongated member. The leaflet clip further includes a tubular member coaxially disposed about the elongated member. Axial motion of the tubular member with respect to the elongated member or axial motion of the elongated member with respect to the tubular member causes corresponding movement of the clipping arms between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A side firing laser device suitable for use in medical and surgical procedures has a laser energy transmission efficiency in excess of 90% and provides consistent and rapid vaporization of tissue as well as long useful life. The device includes a conduit with an optical fiber therewithin. The optical fiber is adapted for coupling to a laser energy source at the proximal end thereof and has a beveled distal end portion capped by a closed end capillary tube which, in turn, is surrounded by a reflective sheath with a side port through which laser energy emitted by the optical fiber can pass.