Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for occluding the left atrial appendage (LAA). The device excludes the LAA from blood flow. The implantable device is delivered via transcatheter delivery into the LAA and secured within the LAA. The implant comprises an expandable and compliant frame and an expandable and conformable tubular foam body. A delivery and tether retraction system includes a handle for controlling a pusher and tether. The pusher may be moved a distance away from the implant without changing the orientation of the implant, while the tether is still attached to the implant. Severing the tether and proximally retracting a control on the hand piece by a distance causes the severed end to advance distally by at least about twice that distance. A loader includes a conical portion with guides and a reservoir for submerging the foam prior to loading and delivery.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for occluding the left atrial appendage (LAA) to exclude the LAA from blood flow to prevent blood from clotting within the LAA and subsequently embolizing, particularly in patients with atrial fibrillation. A foam implant is delivered via transcatheter delivery into the LAA and anchored using an internal locking system of the implant. The locking system includes deployable anchors that can be deployed after deployment of the foam implant from the delivery catheter and expansion of the foam within the LAA. The implant location can thus be verified before deploying the anchors to secure the implant. The locking system can be reversible to allow retraction of the anchors and repositioning or retrieval of the implant.

Abstract: A gastrointestinal implant device (2800) comprises a planar proximal element (220) configured to reside in a stomach to resist distal migration, a distal element (222) configured to reside in an intestine to resist proximal migration and one or more tethers (224) coupling the planar proximal element to the distal element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and articles for anchoring within a natural bodily lumen. An anchor is adapted to provide differing radially-outward forces along its length, a securing force and a transitional force. Production of these forces can be controlled by varying a physical property of the anchor, such as its stiffness, thickness, or shape. For example, the stiffness of an elongated anchor can be varied from a relatively soft value at its proximal and distal ends to a relatively stiff value at its center by varying the diameter of wire forming the anchor, thereby tailoring it to an intended application. Such force tailoring can be combined with external barbs and used to reliably anchor other instruments, such as feeding tubes and intestinal sleeves.

Abstract: A gastrointestinal implant device (2800) comprises a planar proximal element (220) configured to reside in a stomach to resist distal migration, a distal element (222) configured to reside in an intestine to resist proximal migration and one or more tethers (224) coupling the planar proximal element to the distal element.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for occluding the left atrial appendage (LAA). The device excludes the LAA from blood flow to prevent blood from clotting within the LAA and subsequently embolizing, particularly in patients with atrial fibrillation. The implantable device is delivered via transcatheter delivery into the LAA and secured within the LAA. The implant comprises an expandable and compliant frame and an expandable and conformable tubular foam body. The device may have a thromboresistant cover at a proximal end. The frame may have recapture struts inclining radially outwardly from a central hub. The frame may have axially extending side wall struts, with adjacent pairs of side wall struts joined at one or more apexes. Anchors extend from the frame and into the foam to engage tissue.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for occluding the left atrial appendage (LAA). The device excludes the LAA from blood flow to prevent blood from clotting within the LAA and subsequently embolizing, particularly in patients with atrial fibrillation. The implantable device is delivered via transcatheter delivery into the LAA and secured within the LAA. The implant comprises an expandable and compliant frame and an expandable and conformable tubular foam body carried by the frame. The device may have a thromboresistant cover at a proximal end and a thromboresistant coating on the foam body. The frame may have recapture struts inclining radially outwardly in the distal direction from a central hub. The frame may have axially extending side wall struts, with adjacent pairs of side wall struts joined at one or more apexes. Anchors extend from the frame to engage tissue. The anchors can also be reversible to allow retraction of the anchors and repositioning or retrieval of the device.

Abstract: Devices and methods for occluding the left atrial appendage (LAA) to prevent blood from clotting within the LAA and subsequently embolizing, particularly in patients with atrial fibrillation. A foam implant encapsulated with a tough thromboresistant membrane is placed via transvascular means into the LAA and anchored with adhesives and/or mechanical anchors. Tissue over- and in-growth are optimized to anchor the implant in place and provide a permanent occlusion.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for limiting absorption of food products in specific parts of the digestive system is presented. A gastrointestinal implant device is anchored in the pyloric portion of the gastrointestinal system and extends beyond the ligament of Treitz. All food exiting the stomach is funneled through the device. The gastrointestinal device includes an anchor for anchoring the device in the pyloric portion and a flexible sleeve that extents into the duodenum. The anchor is collapsible for endoscopic delivery and removal.

Abstract: Devices and methods for occluding the left atrial appendage (LAA) to prevent blood from clotting within the LAA and subsequently embolizing, particularly in patients with atrial fibrillation. A foam implant encapsulated with a tough thromboresistent membrane is placed via transvascular means into the LAA and anchored with adhesives and/or mechanical anchors. Tissue over- and in-growth are optimized to anchor the implant in place and provide a permanent occlusion.

Abstract: A gastrointestinal implant device (2800) comprises a planar proximal element (220) configured to reside in a stomach to resist distal migration, a distal element (222) configured to reside in an intestine to resist proximal migration and one or more tethers (224) coupling the planar proximal element to the distal element.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for limiting absorption of food products in specific parts of the digestive system is presented. A gastrointestinal implant device is anchored in the stomach and extends beyond the ligament of Treitz. All food exiting the stomach is funneled through the device. The gastrointestinal device includes an anchor for anchoring the device to the stomach and a flexible sleeve. When implanted within the intestine, the sleeve can limit the absorption of nutrients, delay the mixing of chyme with digestive enzymes, altering hormonal triggers, providing negative feedback, and combinations thereof. The anchor is collapsible for endoscopic delivery and removal.

Abstract: A gastrointestinal implant device is anchored in the duodenum and extends beyond the ligament of Treitz. All food exiting the stomach is funneled through the device. The gastrointestinal device includes an anchor for attaching the device to the duodenum and an unsupported flexible sleeve. The anchor can include a stent and/or a wave anchor and is collapsible for catheter-based delivery and removal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anchor configured for minimally-invasive implantation and sized to remain securely positioned within at least a portion of the gastrointestinal tract of an animal. The anchor includes a radial spring formed from an elongated resilient member shaped into an annular wave pattern about a central axis. The anchor defines a central lumen and provides an outward radial force, while allowing for substantial flexure about its perimeter. The anchor is generally removable, but can include fasteners, such as barbs, to further secure it to the surrounding anatomy. In some embodiments, the anchor includes a connector coupling a fixed portion to a removable portion. Further, the anchor can be used to secure a medical device within the body, such as a flexible sleeve within the intestine.

Abstract: An implant includes a collapsible anchor to be deployed within a lumen and a protrusion coupled to the anchor. The protrusion, in a constrained state, extends a distance from an exterior surface of the anchor and, in an unconstrained state, extends further from the exterior surface of the anchor. Also included is a biodegradable constraint, such as a biodegradable tube or suture, configured to maintain the protrusion in the constrained state until the constraint releases. The implant may include additional biodegradable constraints, each constraint configured to maintain the protrusion in a different constrained state and to degrade over a different predetermined period after the implant has been deployed within the lumen. The protrusion may include a bi-directional barb or an open loop. The protrusion may be configured to penetrate a wall of the lumen and to allow tissue to grow about the protrusion.

Abstract: A gastrointestinal implant device (2800) comprises a planar proximal element (220) configured to reside in a stomach to resist distal migration, a distal element (222) configured to reside in an intestine to resist proximal migration and one or more tethers (224) coupling the planar proximal element to the distal element.

Abstract: A gastrointestinal implant device comprises a planar proximal element configured to reside in a stomach to resist distal migration, a distal element configured to reside in an intestine to resist proximal migration and one or more tethers coupling the planar proximal element to the distal element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anchor configured for minimally-invasive implantation and sized to remain securely positioned within at least a portion of the gastrointestinal tract of an animal. The anchor includes a radial spring formed from an elongated resilient member shaped into an annular wave pattern about a central axis. The anchor defines a central lumen and provides an outward radial force, while allowing for substantial flexure about its perimeter. The anchor is generally removable, but can include fasteners, such as barbs, to further secure it to the surrounding anatomy. In some embodiments, the anchor includes a connector coupling a fixed portion to a removable portion. Further, the anchor can be used to secure a medical device within the body, such as a flexible sleeve within the intestine.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for occluding the left atrial appendage (LAA) to exclude the LAA from blood flow to prevent blood from clotting within the LAA and subsequently embolizing, particularly in patients with atrial fibrillation. A foam implant is delivered via transcatheter delivery into the LAA and anchored using an internal locking system of the implant. The locking system includes deployable anchors that can be deployed after deployment of the foam implant from the delivery catheter and expansion of the foam within the LAA. The implant location can thus be verified before deploying the anchors to secure the implant. The locking system can be reversible to allow retraction of the anchors and repositioning or retrieval of the implant.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for limiting absorption of food products in specific parts of the digestive system is presented. A gastrointestinal implant device is anchored in the stomach and extends beyond the ligament of Treitz. All food exiting the stomach is funneled through the device. The gastrointestinal device includes an anchor for anchoring the device to the stomach and a flexible sleeve to limit absorption of nutrients in the duodenum. The anchor is collapsible for endoscopic delivery and removal.