Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation. The apparatus is inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to straighten the natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and reduce mitral regurgitation. The apparatus is also configured to work in conjunction with an electrical lead for an implantable bi-ventricular pacing device, an electrical lead for an implantable cardio defibrillator, etc.

Abstract: A fixation band for affixing a prosthetic heart valve to tissue having proximal and distal annular portions positionable relative to one another, the proximal and distal annular portions each having a proximal and distal sides, the proximal side of the distal annular portion and the distal side of the proximal annular portion being oriented toward one another, and a prosthetic heart valve being attachable to one of the distal side of the distal annular portion and the proximal side of the proximal annular portion; staples configured between the distal side of the proximal annular portion and the proximal side of the distal annular portion; and a compression device operative between the proximal and distal annular portions for selectively positioning the proximal and distal annular members toward one another for compressing the staples therebetween and deploying the staples into tissue so as to affix the prosthetic heart valve to tissue.

Abstract: A fixation band for affixing a prosthetic heart valve to tissue having proximal and distal annular portions positionable relative to one another, the proximal and distal annular portions each having a proximal and distal sides, the proximal side of the distal annular portion and the distal side of the proximal annular portion being oriented toward one another, and a prosthetic heart valve being attachable to one of the distal side of the distal annular portion and the proximal side of the proximal annular portion; staples configured between the distal side of the proximal annular portion and the proximal side of the distal annular portion; and a compression device operative between the proximal and distal annular portions for selectively positioning the proximal and distal annular members toward one another for compressing the staples therebetween and deploying the staples into tissue so as to affix the prosthetic heart valve to tissue.

Abstract: A method and device for reducing mitral regurgitation. An elongated body is positioned in a coronary sinus of a patient in a vicinity of a heart mitral valve posterior leaflet. The body is adapted to straighten a natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet to move a posterior annulus anteriorly, which in turn moves the posterior leaflet anteriorly, thereby to improve leaflet coaptation.

Abstract: Apparatus for resecting a diseased heart valve, the apparatus comprising: a body portion; a first handle and a second handle; a cutting blade; a set of retaining arms; a pass-off tool having a first attachment device configured to selectively engage the first handle attached to the body portion so as to allow placement of the second handle of the body portion adjacent to the diseased heart valve; and a controller tool having a second attachment device at the distal end thereof, the second attachment device configured to selectively engage the second handle attached to the body portion so as to allow positioning of the body portion adjacent to the diseased heart valve, a cutting blade actuator configured to cause the cutting blade to selectively rotate, and a retaining arm actuator configured to selectively position the set of retaining arms from a contracted state to an expanded state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation. The apparatus is inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to straighten the natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and reduce mitral regurgitation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation. The apparatus is inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to straighten the natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and reduce mitral regurgitation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation. The apparatus is inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to straighten the natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and reduce mitral regurgitation.

Abstract: A fixation band for affixing a prosthetic heart valve to tissue, the fixation band comprising: a structure having a proximal end and a distal end in opposition to one another, and a lateral region between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the prosthetic heart valve is attached to one of the proximal end and the distal end of the structure; a plurality of barbs selectively configurable between a first position and a second position, the barbs being contained within a peripheral boundary of the lateral region of the structure in the first position, and the barbs being extended from the peripheral boundary of the lateral region of the structure in the second position; and an actuator for selectively moving the plurality of barbs between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation, by applying a force to the wall of the coronary sinus so as to force the posterior leaflet anteriorly and thereby reduce mitral regurgitation.

Abstract: A method for deploying an aortic valve prosthesis includes the steps of: making a first opening leading to the left atrium; passing the valve prosthesis through the opening and into a cardiac chamber of the left side of the heart using a first manipulation instrument; making a second opening in the arterial system and advancing one end of a second manipulation instrument through the arterial opening and into the cardiac chamber; securing the second manipulation instrument to the valve prosthesis; and using the second manipulation instrument to retract at least a portion of the valve prosthesis out of the cardiac chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation. The apparatus is inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to straighten the natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and reduce mitral regurgitation.

Abstract: A fixation band for affixing a prosthetic heart valve to tissue, the fixation band comprising: a structure having a proximal end and a distal end in opposition to one another, and a lateral region between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the prosthetic heart valve is attached to one of the proximal end and the distal end of the structure; a plurality of barbs selectively configurable between a first position and a second position, the barbs being contained within a peripheral boundary of the lateral region of the structure in the first position, and the barbs being extended from the peripheral boundary of the lateral region of the structure in the second position; and an actuator for selectively moving the plurality of barbs between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: Apparatus for resecting a diseased heart valve, the apparatus comprising: a body portion having a first end and a second end in opposition to one another, a lateral wall extending from the first end to the second end, the lateral wall defining an inner surface and an outer surface in opposition to one another, the inner surface and the outer surface defining arcuate surfaces, respectively, and the body portion defining a longitudinal axis from the first end to the second end; a first handle and a second handle attached to the body portion to extend from the first end thereof and the second end thereof, respectively; a cutting blade selectively rotatable about the longitudinal axis and disposed adjacent to the inner surface of the body portion; a set of retaining arms positionably mounted between the second handle and the second end of the body portion, the set of retaining arms being selectively positionable from a contracted state to an expanded state, the contracted state forming a first diameter having a f

Abstract: A method and device for reducing mitral regurgitation. An elongated body is positioned in a coronary sinus of a patient in a vicinity of a heart mitral valve posterior leaflet. The body is adapted to straighten a natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet to move a posterior annulus anteriorly, which in turn moves the posterior leaflet anteriorly, thereby to improve leaflet coaptation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation. The apparatus is inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to straighten the natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and reduce mitral regurgitation.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation includes a delivery catheter extendable through a vascular system of a patient and into a coronary sinus proximate a posterior leaflet of a mitral valve, the catheter having at a distal end thereof a flexible tubular extension for engaging an opening of the coronary sinus and entering the coronary sinus, a substantially rigid body for advancement through the delivery catheter and to be positioned in the coronary sinus proximate the posterior leaflet, and an elongated rod for advancing the body through the catheter and into position proximate the posterior leaflet.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation, by applying a force to the wall of the coronary sinus so as to force the posterior leaflet anteriorly and thereby reduce mitral regurgitation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation. The apparatus is inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to straighten the natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and reduce mitral regurgitation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation. The apparatus is inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to straighten the natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and reduce mitral regurgitation.