Abstract: A catheter-based, annulus reduction device and system for cardiac valve repair and method of using the same. The system is usable for treating mitral valve regurgitation and comprises a catheter, a reduction ring carried within the catheter, the reduction ring including a plurality of exit ports formed in a side wall of the reduction ring and filament received in the reduction ring. The filament includes a plurality of radially extendible barbs corresponding to the sidewall openings. The reduction ring carrying the filament is deployed adjacent a mitral valve annulus and the filament is translated relative to the reduction ring to deploy the barbs through the exit ports and into the annulus and to further translate the reduction ring with deployed barbs to reshape the annulus.

Abstract: An apparatus for temporary prevention of embolization in a human blood vessel. The apparatus comprises a body that is transformable between a radially collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration sized and shaped for sealing against an inner wall of the vessel to at least partially obstruct fluid flowing there through, the body having a vasodilator coating.

Abstract: A braided intraluminal filter having large inlet ports, and methods for making the filter. Selected braid filaments are severed such that they do not extend through a proximal section of the filter. The un-severed filaments are divided into groups that are intra-braided into slender strands forming the proximal section of the filter. Large inlet ports are defined between the slender strands.

Abstract: A fluid flow apparatus includes a peristaltic pump rotor mounted to a deck module assembly. A disposable software set is provided which includes a cassette which has a primary flexible tube and a pump platen adjacent to which the primary flexible tube resides. Tubing with blood processing bags are coupled to the manifold along with the input port of the rotor of a disposable blood processing centrifuge bowl. The software set also includes a three-to-one manifold which connects the primary tube to a plurality of secondary flexible tubes. Fluid flow through the secondary flexible tubes is controlled by a plurality of pinch valves which pinch the secondary tubes closed against closing surfaces on the cassette. A deck module assembly allows a user to properly secure the cassette relative to the pump rotor and the pinch valves. A flat surface is provided on the manifold to couple sonic radiation into the manifold and sense the presence of fluids therein.

Abstract: A fluid flow apparatus includes a peristaltic pump rotor mounted to a deck module assembly. A disposable software set is provided which includes a cassette which has a primary flexible tube and a pump platen adjacent to which the primary flexible tube resides. Tubing with blood processing bags are coupled to the manifold along with the input port of the rotor of a disposable blood processing centrifuge bowl. The cassette is removably secured to the hardware apparatus such that the flexible tube contacts both the platen of the cassette and the rollers of the pump rotor. The pump rotor is rotated to induce a fluid flow through the primary flexible tube. The software set also includes a three-to-one manifold which connects the primary tube to a plurality of secondary flexible tubes. Fluid flow through the secondary flexible tubes is controlled by a plurality of pinch valves which pinch the secondary tubes closed against closing surfaces on the cassette.

Abstract: There is provided an improved system for controlling ultrafiltration in hemodialysis which is independent of the membrane used in the dialyzer. A load cell measures the instantaneous amounts of fluid in a reservoir which receives fluids from the dialyzer and feeds this information into an electronic controller which has been programmed for the desired ultrafiltration. The controller generates an error signal and controls a negative pressure control valve which, in turn, determines the rate and thus amount of ultrafiltration.