Abstract: A method of treating a defective heart valve includes inserting a delivery catheter through a small incision in a patient's groin, wherein the delivery catheter has a prosthetic device positioned along a distal end. The prosthetic device includes an insert member and an anchoring member. The insert member is positioned between the native heart valve and is allowed to self-expand. The anchoring member is preferably a stent connected to the insert member by at least one elongate member. The stent is deployed within an adjacent blood vessel for anchoring the insert member between the native leaflets. After deployment of the prosthetic device, the native leaflets of the heart valve form a tight seal against the insert member for preventing regurgitation through the native heart valve during ventricular systole.

Abstract: A system for mechanically capturing and removing a thrombus from a blood vessel includes a flexible guidewire adapted to contact the thrombus in the blood vessel, an aspiration catheter, an elongate catheter, and a self-expanding body fixedly attached to a distal end portion of the elongate catheter. The self-expanding body extends distally from the elongate catheter for capturing the thrombus. The self-expanding body preferably has a proximal end portion with a tapered shape and an open distal end. The self-expanding body is permeable for allowing blood to pass through the self-expanding body and into the central lumen of the aspiration catheter. The system may further include a thrombolytic drug to help dissolve the thrombus before capturing the thrombus with the self-expanding body.

Abstract: A method of treating a defective mitral valve includes inserting a delivery catheter through a small incision in a patient's groin, wherein the delivery catheter has a prosthetic device positioned along a distal end thereof. The prosthetic device includes an insert member and an anchoring member, wherein the insert member is made from a shape memory material and is surrounded by a biocompatible fabric outer layer. The insert member is positioned within a mitral valve and self-expands in a gap between the native leaflets. The anchoring member is attached to surrounding tissue. After deployment of the prosthetic device, the native leaflets of the mitral valve form a tight seal against the biocompatible fabric outer layer and the insert member fills the gap between the native leaflets of the mitral valve for preventing regurgitation during ventricular systole.

Abstract: A method of capturing and removing a thrombus from a large vein is performed using a percutaneous thrombectomy device. The thrombectomy device includes a delivery sheath, a filter body, and an inner catheter provided with an agitation member. The sheath is advanced until a distal end is positioned proximal to the thrombus. The filter body is deployed distal to the sheath and proximal to the thrombus. The filter body preferably has a funnel shape with a tapered proximal end portion and an open distal end. The inner catheter is advanced through the sheath for contacting the thrombus with the agitation member. The agitation member is actuated to disrupt the thrombus. Thrombus particles are captured using the filter body and negative pressure is preferably applied through the sheath. The method is well-suited for treating deep vein thrombosis and does not require the use of thrombolytic drugs.

Abstract: A method of treating a defective mitral valve includes inserting a delivery catheter through a small incision in a patient's groin, wherein the delivery catheter has a prosthetic device positioned along a distal end thereof. The prosthetic device includes an insert member and an anchoring member, wherein the insert member is made from a shape memory material and is surrounded by a biocompatible fabric outer layer. The insert member is positioned within a mitral valve and self-expands in a gap between the native leaflets. The anchoring member is attached to surrounding tissue. After deployment of the prosthetic device, the native leaflets of the mitral valve form a tight seal against the biocompatible fabric outer layer and the insert member fills the gap between the native leaflets of the mitral valve for preventing regurgitation during ventricular systole.

Abstract: A method of capturing and removing a thrombus from a large vein is performed using a percutaneous thrombectomy device. The thrombectomy device includes a delivery sheath, a filter body, and an inner catheter provided with an agitation member. The sheath is advanced until a distal end is positioned proximal to the thrombus. The filter body is deployed distal to the sheath and proximal to the thrombus. The filter body preferably has a funnel shape with a tapered proximal end portion and an open distal end. The inner catheter is advanced through the sheath for contacting the thrombus with the agitation member. The agitation member is actuated to disrupt the thrombus. Thrombus particles are captured using the filter body and negative pressure is preferably applied through the sheath. The method is well-suited for treating deep vein thrombosis and does not require the use of thrombolytic drugs.

Abstract: A method of treating a defective mitral valve includes percutaneously advancing a prosthetic device into a patient's heart. The prosthetic device includes an insert member and anchoring member. The prosthetic device is contained within a sheath along a distal end of a delivery catheter during advancement. The anchoring member is secured to a muscular wall of the left ventricle and the insert member self-expands between native leaflets of the mitral valve. The insert member preferably includes a biocompatible fabric outer layer, a passageway, and a valve member disposed within the passageway. After deployment, the native leaflets of the mitral valve form a tight seal against the fabric outer layer of the insert member for preventing regurgitation, while blood passes through the passageway of the insert member for allowing blood to pass from the left atrium to the left ventricle.

Abstract: A method of treating a defective mitral valve includes percutaneously advancing a prosthetic device into a patient's heart. The prosthetic device includes an insert member and anchoring member. The prosthetic device is contained within a sheath along a distal end of a delivery catheter during advancement. The anchoring member is secured to a muscular wall of the left ventricle and the insert member self-expands between native leaflets of the mitral valve. The insert member preferably includes a biocompatible fabric outer layer, a passageway, and a valve member disposed within the passageway. After deployment, the native leaflets of the mitral valve form a tight seal against the fabric outer layer of the insert member for preventing regurgitation, while blood passes through the passageway of the insert member for allowing blood to pass from the left atrium to the left ventricle.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for treating a mitral valve includes a prosthetic insert member insertable between leaflets of mitral valve. The insert member has an elongated cross-sectional profile for conforming to gap between leaflets of a mitral valve. The device also includes an anchoring member for attachment to heart tissue for maintaining the insert member in the mitral valve. The insert member includes a valve that permits one-way blood flow therethrough. An anchoring member secures the prosthetic insert member to a heart wall.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices for improving coaption of the mitral valve leaflets to reduce or eliminate mitral valve regurgitation. The devices may be used to perform mitral valve annuloplasty, or to serve as a docking station for a transcatheter prosthetic heart valve. The various embodiments of devices are configured for percutaneous and, in some cases, transvascular delivery. Delivery systems useful for routing the devices to the mitral valve are also disclosed, including catheters, balloons and/or mechanical expansion systems. The devices themselves include at least one tissue penetrating member. Methods of delivery include partially embedding the devices in the mitral valve annulus via at least one tissue penetrating member. Tissue penetrating members may be embedded into the tissue in a simultaneous or a nearly simultaneous fashion. Upon embedding, the devices employ various expansion and/or contraction features to adjust the mitral valve diameter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices for improving coaption of the mitral valve leaflets to reduce or eliminate mitral valve regurgitation. The devices may be used to perform mitral valve annuloplasty, or to serve as a docking station for a transcatheter prosthetic heart valve. The various embodiments of devices are configured for percutaneous and, in some cases, transvascular delivery. Delivery systems useful for routing the devices to the mitral valve are also disclosed, including catheters, balloons and/or mechanical expansion systems. The devices themselves include at least one tissue penetrating member. Methods of delivery include partially embedding the devices in the mitral valve annulus via at least one tissue penetrating member. Tissue penetrating members may be embedded into the tissue in a simultaneous or a nearly simultaneous fashion. Upon embedding, the devices employ various expansion and/or contraction features to adjust the mitral valve diameter.

Abstract: Methods and devices for increasing flow in the left atrial appendage (LAA) include a conduit directing blood flow from a pulmonary artery into the LAA and/or a conduit drawing blood from the LAA by a Bernoulli effect. In one embodiment, a method comprises implanting a conduit in a pulmonary vein, expanding an inlet portion such that the conduit becomes anchored within the vein and directs blood through an outlet portion of the conduit into or toward the left atrial appendage.

Abstract: A system for mechanically capturing and removing a thrombus from a blood vessel includes a flexible guidewire adapted to contact the thrombus in the blood vessel, an aspiration catheter, an elongate catheter, and a self-expanding body fixedly attached to a distal end portion of the elongate catheter. The self-expanding body extends distally from the elongate catheter for capturing the thrombus. The self-expanding body preferably has a proximal end portion with a tapered shape and an open distal end. The self-expanding body is permeable for allowing blood to pass through the self-expanding body and into the central lumen of the aspiration catheter. The system may further include a thrombolytic drug to help dissolve the thrombus before capturing the thrombus with the self-expanding body.

Abstract: A method for mechanically capturing and removing a thrombus from a blood vessel includes advancing a guidewire into the thrombus. A self-expanding body is allowed to expand in the blood vessel, wherein the self-expanding body is fixed to a distal end portion of an elongate catheter. The self-expanding body preferably includes a tapered proximal end portion and an open distal end while in the expanded configuration. The self-expanding body forms a mesh structure adapted for allowing blood to pass therethrough. The thrombus is captured by the self-expanding body and then retrieved into an aspiration catheter. Aspiration is preferably applied during and after retrieval of the thrombus into the aspiration catheter. A thrombolytic drug may be delivered into the blood vessel before capturing and retrieving the thrombus. In preferred methods of use, the thrombus is captured and removed for reducing health problems associated with a stroke.

Abstract: A medical device configured for placement in a blood vessel, in which an elastic tube extends between first and second expandable anchoring stents. The elastic tube is constructed of a resilient material that deflects outward in response to increased blood pressure of a heart beat and that moves back inward as the blood pressure drops, thereby aiding the heart's pumping action.

Abstract: A method for mechanically capturing and removing a thrombus from a blood vessel includes advancing a guidewire into the thrombus. A self-expanding body is allowed to expand in the blood vessel, wherein the self-expanding body is fixed to a distal end portion of an elongate catheter. The self-expanding body preferably includes a tapered proximal end portion and an open distal end while in the expanded configuration. The self-expanding body forms a mesh structure adapted for allowing blood to pass therethrough. The thrombus is captured by the self-expanding body and then retrieved into an aspiration catheter. Aspiration is preferably applied during and after retrieval of the thrombus into the aspiration catheter. A thrombolytic drug may be delivered into the blood vessel before capturing and retrieving the thrombus. In preferred methods of use, the thrombus is captured and removed for reducing health problems associated with a stroke.

Abstract: Methods and devices for increasing flow in the left atrial appendage (LAA) include a conduit directing blood flow from a pulmonary artery into the LAA and/or a conduit drawing blood from the LAA by a Bernoulli effect. In one embodiment, a method comprises implanting a conduit in a pulmonary vein, expanding an inlet portion such that the conduit becomes anchored within the vein and directs blood through an outlet portion of the conduit into or toward the left atrial appendage.

Abstract: Methods and devices for increasing flow in the left atrial appendage (LAA) include a conduit directing blood flow from a pulmonary artery into the LAA and/or a conduit drawing blood from the LAA by a Bernoulli effect. In one embodiment, a method comprises implanting a conduit in a pulmonary vein, expanding an inlet portion such that the conduit becomes anchored within the vein and directs blood through an outlet portion of the conduit into or toward the left atrial appendage.

Abstract: A method for mechanically capturing and removing a thrombus from a blood vessel includes contacting the thrombus with an inner catheter. A self-expanding body is advanced toward the thrombus, wherein the self-expanding body has a proximal end fixed to a distal end of an elongate catheter. The self-expanding body is preferably made from nickel-titanium and includes a tapered proximal end portion and an open distal end. The self-expanding body preferably has a mesh structure. The self-expanding body is allowed to self-expand in the blood vessel. At least a portion of the thrombus is captured by the self-expanding body and the captured thrombus is then retrieved into a lumen of an aspiration catheter. Negative pressure is applied through the lumen of the aspiration catheter during retrieval of the captured thrombus. A thrombolytic drug may be delivered into the blood vessel before capturing and removing the thrombus.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for treating a mitral valve includes a prosthetic insert member insertable between leaflets of mitral valve. The insert member has an elongated cross-sectional profile for conforming to gap between leaflets of a mitral valve. The device also includes an anchoring member for attachment to heart tissue for maintaining the insert member in the mitral valve. The insert member includes a valve that permits one-way blood flow therethrough. An anchoring member secures the prosthetic insert member to a heart wall.