Abstract: A repair device for closing a valve of a heart includes a main stem. The mains stem has a distal end and a proximal end. The main stem comprises a papillary anchor on the proximal end. The papillary anchor of the main stem is configured to attach to a papillary muscle of the heart. The main stem further includes a first branch extending from the main stem in a first direction and configured to attach to a first leaflet of the valve of the heart. The main stem also includes a second branch extending from the main stem in a second direction different from the first direction and configured to attach to a second leaflet of the valve. The first and second branches are flexible.

Abstract: Methods and systems for cardiovascular structure reconstruction are provided. A method of reconstructing a cardiovascular structure may include imaging the cardiovascular structure, producing a three-dimensional model of the cardiovascular structure based on the imaging, and creating a three-dimensional model of a patch corresponding to the three-dimensional model of the cardiovascular structure, where the patch is configured to reconstruct the cardiovascular structure to a normal geometry. A patch for a cardiovascular structure may include at least one layer of anisotropic material including an outermost perimeter and one or more notches extending inward from the outermost perimeter, where each of the one or more notches creates a discontinuity in the outermost perimeter. In some cases, each of the one or more notches includes a first edge and a second opposing edge, and the patch further includes one or more sutures configured to secure the first edge to the second opposing edge.

Abstract: An engineering workflow for prospective design of heart valve leaflet grafts for surgical heart valve reconstruction is disclosed. The engineering workflow includes utilizing a quantitative description of one or more mechanical properties of one or more materials to be used for the heart valve reconstruction to prescribe a size and/or a shape of the materials to achieve a predetermined configuration of a final reconstructed heart valve in its physiological working state for a given patient.

Abstract: Method and devices for viewing one or more valve leaflets via a viewer. In some embodiments the viewer includes a body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end being closed and having a transparent viewing window, the second end arranged to be attached to an aorta or a pulmonary artery, and one or more ports arranged to provide fluid access to an internal portion of the viewer to pressurize the one or more leaflets. A diameter of the viewing window is larger than an outer diameter of the second end. An outer diameter of the first end of the body is larger than an outer diameter of the second end. The body is a tubular body.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and coaptation measurement devices as described herein include an elongate sensor body at the end of a proximal connecting member, and a plurality of sensors in an array across a face of the sensor body, wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to detect if a portion of a heart valve is in contact with the sensor.

Abstract: A repair device for closing a valve of a heart includes a main stem. The mains stem has a distal end and a proximal end. The main stem comprises a papillary anchor on the proximal end. The papillary anchor of the main stem is configured to attach to a papillary muscle of the heart. The main stem further includes a first branch extending from the main stem in a first direction and configured to attach to a first leaflet of the valve of the heart. The main stem also includes a second branch extending from the main stem in a second direction different from the first direction and configured to attach to a second leaflet of the valve. The first and second branches are flexible.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and coaptation measurement devices as described herein include an elongate sensor body at the end of a proximal connecting member, and a plurality of sensors in an array across a face of the sensor body, wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to detect if a portion of a heart valve is in contact with the sensor.

Abstract: A system and method of use for effecting the bypass or other anastomosis, connection, or port in a portion of a native blood vessel, duct, lumen or other tubular organ within the body of a living being. The system includes a connector assembly and a deployment instrument for carrying the device to the desired position within the vessel, duct, lumen or tubular organ. The system includes a piercer-dilator instrument to form an opening in the wall of the vessel, duct, lumen or tubular organ into which a connector assembly may be deployed by the deployment instrument. The connector assembly may be at least partially formed of a resorbable material and includes movable members for securing it to the tissue of the vessel, duct, lumen or tubular organ contiguous with the opening. Other components may be included in the device for expediting the procedure, with or without the use of sutures.

Abstract: The construct described herein allows opposing tissues to form adhesions with either side of the construct, as part of the natural healing process. The construct however is multi-layered, wherein the space between the layers provides the protection from unwanted adhesions forming between and bonding separate tissues. In one embodiment, this space between layers of the construct may be developed spontaneously, that is the multiple layers are released by design after a finite time and the opposing tissues are free to move independent of each other, free of adhesions.

Abstract: A system and method of use for effecting the bypass or other anastomosis, connection, or port in a portion of a native blood vessel, duct, lumen or other tubular organ within the body of a living being. The system includes a connector assembly and a deployment instrument for carrying the device to the desired position within the vessel, duct, lumen or tubular organ. The system includes a piercer-dilator instrument to form an opening in the wall of the vessel, duct, lumen or tubular organ into which a connector assembly may be deployed by the deployment instrument. The connector assembly may be at least partially formed of a resorbable material and includes movable members for securing it to the tissue of the vessel, duct, lumen or tubular organ contiguous with the opening. Other components may be included in the device for expediting the procedure, with or without the use of sutures.

Abstract: An implantable device for facilitating the healing of voids in bone, cartilage and soft tissue is disclosed. A preferred embodiment includes a cartilage region comprising a polyelectrolytic complex joined with a subchondral bone region. The cartilage region, of this embodiment, enhances the environment for chondrocytes to grow articular cartilage; while the subchondral bone region enhances the environment for cells which migrate into that region's macrostructure and which differentiate into osteoblasts. Another embodiment is arranged for the local delivery of therapeutic agent. A preferred embodiment is a porous resorbable implant, wherein the therapy delivery may be localized in nature, rather than systemic, such that higher doses at the target site may be allowed than would be tolerable by the body systemically.