Abstract: A medical implant delivery system can comprise a puncture needle, a medical implant delivery catheter and the puncture needle being configured to be slidably advanced through a puncture needle lumen of the medical implant delivery catheter, a medical implant device positioned on the medical implant delivery catheter, and an outer delivery catheter comprising a medical implant delivery lumen, the medical implant delivery catheter being configured to slidably extend through the medical implant delivery lumen. A medical implant delivery system can comprise a puncture needle, a medical implant delivery catheter and the puncture needle being configured to slidably extend through the puncture needle lumen of the medical implant delivery catheter, a medical implant device positioned on the medical implant delivery catheter, an elongate housing adjacent to the medical implant delivery catheter, and an outer sheath around a portion of the medical implant delivery catheter and the elongate housing.

Abstract: A clip may be configured to close the portion of the heart, to reduce blood flow therethrough as well as passage of clots or other undesired materials. The clip may be configured to close the left atrial appendage (LAA). The closure of the LAA may reduce the possibility of stroke or other maladies stemming from fluid flow with the LAA. Delivery systems may comprise expansion apparatuses for a left atrial appendage clip. The expansion apparatuses may include retention mechanisms for retaining the clip.

Abstract: Puncture and anchor devices are disclosed that facilitate puncturing through a wall of a second vessel from a first vessel. The anchor can be delivered in a catheter or other delivery device and then released after puncturing through the vessel walls. The anchor can remain in the tissue, acting as a shunt. The devices and methods disclosed herein relate to a puncture device that includes a sharpened coil; a needle configured to extend from the distal end of the catheter through a central axis of the sharpened coil, wherein the sharpened coil anchors the catheter to the targeted tissue to facilitate puncturing of the targeted tissue with the needle. The needle comprises a dilation device that is configured to open the tissue and to create a conduit between both vessels. The sharpened coil is detachable from the catheter.

Abstract: A blood flow pathway is formed between a left atrium and a coronary sinus for relieving elevated left atrial pressure. The treatment method includes providing first and second delivery catheters, wherein a medical device is carried by the second delivery catheter. A side outlet opening of the first delivery catheter is positioned within the coronary sinus and oriented toward a left atrium. An anchor on the first delivery catheter contacts an inner surface of the coronary sinus for stabilization. A distal portion of the second delivery catheter is advanced through the side outlet opening. A puncture component is then passed through a target wall portion for creating the blood flow pathway. The medical device is positioned in the opening.

Abstract: An implant delivery system includes an elongate sheath having an inner diameter at a distal end thereof, a nose cone shaft dimensioned for advancement within the elongate sheath, and a collapsible nose cone associated with a distal end of the nose cone shaft and positionable at least partially beyond the distal end of the elongate sheath, the collapsible nose cone being transitionable between an expanded state having a first maximum diameter and a compressed state having a second maximum diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the elongate sheath.

Abstract: A method of managing blood flow involves advancing a delivery system to a blood vessel segment and deploying a first stent from the first delivery system at a first position in the blood vessel segment, the first stent having a non-circular cross-sectional shape defining a major-axis diameter and a minor-axis diameter that is less than the major-axis diameter. A second stent is deployed from the delivery system at a second position spaced from the first position by a first axial gap, the second stent having the non-circular cross-sectional shape and being physically coupled to the first stent by first and second coupling arms positioned on opposite major-axis circumferential portions of the first and second stents, respectively. Systolic pressure is reduced through circularization of the first and second stents and diastolic pressure is increased through shape-memory return of the first and second stents to non-circular shapes.

Abstract: A puncture needle can comprise an elongate portion, a puncture component associated with a distal end of the elongate portion, and a spacer associated with a distal portion of the elongate portion, where the spacer can be configured to contact a wall of the delivery catheter lumen to prevent contact between the puncture component and the wall. A puncture needle can comprise an elongate portion and a puncture component associated with a distal end of the elongate portion, where the puncture component comprises a blade edge on a distal edge, and where the puncture component is configured to be advanceable through a lumen of a delivery catheter without the blade edge sticking to a wall of the lumen.

Abstract: A blood flow pathway is formed between a left atrium and a coronary sinus for relieving elevated left atrial pressure. The treatment method includes providing first and second delivery catheters, wherein a medical device is carried by the second delivery catheter. A side outlet opening of the first delivery catheter is positioned within the coronary sinus and oriented toward a left atrium. An anchor on the first delivery catheter contacts an inner surface of the coronary sinus for stabilization. A distal portion of the second delivery catheter is advanced through the side outlet opening. A puncture component is then passed through a target wall portion for creating the blood flow pathway. The medical device is positioned in the opening.

Abstract: A blood flow pathway is formed between a left atrium and a coronary sinus for relieving elevated left atrial pressure. The treatment method includes providing first and second delivery catheters, wherein a medical device is carried by the second delivery catheter. A side outlet opening of the first delivery catheter is positioned within the coronary sinus and oriented toward a left atrium. An anchor on the first delivery catheter contacts an inner surface of the coronary sinus for stabilization. A distal portion of the second delivery catheter is advanced through the side outlet opening. A puncture component is then passed through a target wall portion for creating the blood flow pathway. The medical device is positioned in the opening.

Abstract: A system includes a lock and release connector, an implantable medical device, and an outer tube. The lock and release connector includes a connector body defining a recess extending to an axial end portion of the connector body. The implantable medical device has an extension receivable in the recess and extending through the axial end portion. The outer tube extends over the recess to retain the extension in the recess. The lock and release connector further includes a retention element receivable in the recess to secure the extension in the recess. When the outer tube is axially withdrawn from the recess, the retention element is movable from a retaining position to a releasing position to permit disengagement of the extension from the recess for deployment of the implantable medical device.

Abstract: A medical device includes an incision device operably coupled to a distal end of an elongate catheter. The incision device includes an incision channel, and a retractable cutting apparatus disposed within the incision channel. The retractable cutting apparatus includes a first cutting apparatus link that is rotatably fixed proximate to a distal end of the incision channel and a second cutting apparatus link that is attached to the first link proximal end of the first cutting apparatus link. The first cutting apparatus preferably includes a first cutting surface proximate to the first link proximal end of the first cutting apparatus link and the second cutting apparatus link includes a second cutting surface. The retractable cutting apparatus also includes a guide member coupled to cause the retractable cutting apparatus to move between a retracted position and a deployed position.

Abstract: A system includes a lock and release connector, an implantable medical device, and an outer tube. The lock and release connector includes a connector body defining a recess having planar lateral head portions extending to and intersecting with a cylindrical surface of the connector body, and a longitudinal neck portion extending from the head portion. The implantable medical device has an extension including a neck portion receivable in the longitudinal neck portion of the recess and a head portion receivable in the lateral head portions of the recess. The outer tube extends over the recess to retain the extension in the recess.

Abstract: An insertion catheter for a circulatory support catheter having a circulatory support device carried by an elongate flexible catheter shaft. The insertion catheter comprises a tubular body with a distal portion configured to axially movably receive the circulatory support device. A diameter of the distal portion is greater than a diameter of a mid portion of the tubular body. The insertion catheter may be inserted into an introducer sheath for delivery of the MCS device. A distal end of the insertion catheter may be located distally of a distal end of the introducer sheath and distally of the arterial bifurcation. The distal portion of the insertion catheter containing the MCS device may be located distally of the bifurcation, with a distal end of the MCS device slightly offset from the distal end of the tubular body.

Abstract: A medical device for creating elongated incisions within a pericardium is provided. The medical device includes an incision device operably coupled to a distal end of a catheter. The incision device includes an incision channel defined along the incision device. The medical device further includes a retractable cutting apparatus disposed within the incision channel. The retractable cutting apparatus includes a blade structured to move between a retracted position and a deployed position. In an instance in which the blade is in the retracted position, the blade is disposed within the incision channel. In an instance in which the blade is in the deployed position, the blade at least partially protrudes from the incision channel. The medical device further includes a cutting apparatus actuation mechanism structured to move the blade between the retracted position and the deployed position within a human body.

Abstract: A tapered medical access sheath can comprise an access sheath hub and an access sheath shaft extending distally from the access sheath hub. The access sheath shaft can comprise a first delivery lumen extending from a proximal end of the access sheath shaft to a side opening on a distal portion of the access sheath shaft, the first delivery lumen having a width configured to slidably receive a distal portion of a medical device disposed around a guidewire. The access sheath shaft can comprise a tapered distal end portion disposed distally of the side opening. A recess can extend along a longitudinal dimension of the tapered distal end portion from a proximal end to a distal end of the tapered distal end portion. The recess can be in fluid communication with the first delivery lumen and have a width smaller than the diameter of the first delivery lumen.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical device comprising an incision assembly coupled to a catheter and an incision opening defined along the incision assembly. A retractable cutting apparatus is disposed within the incision opening and comprises a first incision member comprising at least one first cutting surface and defining a first member proximal end rotatably fixed proximate to a distal end of the incision opening and the at least one cutting surface is located on a bottom edge of the first incision member. A second incision member comprises at least one second cutting surface and defines a second member distal end attached to the first incision member at a connection point between a first member distal end and the first member proximal end of the first incision member, and wherein the at least one second cutting surface is located on a bottom edge of the second incision member.

Abstract: A medical device for creating elongated incisions within a pericardium is provided. The device also includes an incision device operably coupled to a distal end of a catheter. The device also includes a retractable cutting apparatus disposed within an incision channel of the incision device. The retractable cutting apparatus includes a gear-actuated blade structured to move between a retracted and a deployed position. In an instance in which the gear-actuated blade is in the retracted position, the gear-actuated blade is disposed within the incision channel. In an instance in which the gear-actuated blade is in the deployed position, the gear-actuated blade at least partially protrudes from the incision channel. The retractable cutting apparatus also includes a torsion gear mechanism attached to the gear-actuated blade. The retractable cutting apparatus also includes a rotatable gear actuator that is structured to move the torsion gear mechanism.

Abstract: A medical delivery sheath assembly can comprise a first hub portion comprising a first delivery lumen configured to slidably receive at least a portion of a first medical device, and a second hub portion comprising a second delivery lumen configured to slidably receive at least a portion of a second medical device. A longitudinal axis of the first delivery lumen and a longitudinal axis of the second delivery lumen can form an acute angle where a distal portion of the first hub portion and a distal portion of the second hub portion merge. A joint hub portion can be coupled to the distal portion of the first hub portion and the distal portion of the second hub portion. The joint hub portion can comprise a third delivery lumen configured to slidably receive corresponding portions of each the first medical device and the second medical device.

Abstract: A medical device delivery system can comprise a delivery catheter and an in-line sheath, the delivery catheter being preloaded within the in-line sheath. The delivery catheter can comprise a catheter hub and a catheter shaft. The catheter shaft can comprise a proximal portion extending distally from the hub and slidably receiving a proximal narrow portion of a medical device, and a distal portion slidably receiving a distal wide portion of a medical device. The in-line sheath can comprise a sheath hub and a sheath shaft. The sheath shaft can comprise a proximal portion extending distally from the sheath hub and slidably receiving at least a portion of the proximal portion of the catheter shaft, and an expandable distal portion slidably receiving the distal portion of the catheter shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are stabilizer systems that include a base for securing the stabilizer system to a patient table by inserting the base between the patient table and the mattress on the patient table. The stabilizer systems also include a connector that connects a lockable articulating arm to the base. The base protrudes from under the mattress slightly to provide a sturdy and predictable surface to attach the articulating arm of the stabilizer system. The base can then be used to support a lockable articulating arm with a clamp at its distal end for holding an access sheath or delivery system. The connectors attach the articulating arm to the base so that the articulating arm is above the sterile surgical drape to maintain sterility of the articulating arm. The stabilizer systems are advantageous in jugular access procedures.