Abstract: A clip for securing suture includes a generally tubular body, with one or more tabs cut from the wall of the generally tubular. The tab in an open configuration has the tabs in general alignment with the tab out wall, and the tab in a closed configuration has the tabs bent or otherwise positioned to extend into and at least partially obstruct the inner lumen. The tab may be formed as a generally horse-shoe shaped cut out, and may include a generally elliptical portion having a width and length. The tab may have a width generally the same size as the diameter of the inner lumen. The clip can be formed from memory material such as nitinol, and the clip may be biased toward its closed configuration.

Abstract: An activation device for applying energy to an implanted annuloplasty ring is described. In some embodiments, the activation device includes an outer elongate member having an outer elongate member distal end and an outer elongate member proximal end, and a lumen therebetween. In some embodiments, the activation device further includes an inner elongate member having a inner elongate member distal end and a inner elongate member proximal end, and a lumen therebetween, wherein the inner elongate member is slidably insertable through the lumen of the outer elongate member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for repairing septal defects includes advancing a catheter to the site of the defect, grasping opposing edges of the defect, passing one or more suture lines through the opposing edges, and tightening the suture lines. The catheter can include one or more vacuum ports, with the vacuum ports being sized and configured to grasp opposing edges of the defect when vacuum is applied thereto. The vacuum ports may be positioned longitudinally distant from each other along the catheter, and may also be on different sides of the catheter. The vacuum ports may have vacuum applied via independent control. The catheter can also include suture deploying structure that prevents the suture line from becoming entangled in the catheter.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to various systems for repairing tissue within the heart of a patient. The mitral valve repair system of the present invention comprises a guide catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one internal lumen formed therein, a therapy catheter capable of applying a suture to the tissue, and a fastener catheter capable of attaching a fastener to the suture. The therapy catheter and the fastener catheter are capable of traversing the internal lumen of the guide catheter. In addition, the present invention discloses various methods for repairing tissue within the heart of a patient.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to various systems for repairing tissue within the heart of a patient. The mitral valve repair system of the present invention comprises a guide catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one internal lumen formed therein, a therapy catheter capable of applying a suture to the tissue, and a fastener catheter capable of attaching a fastener to the suture. The therapy catheter and the fastener catheter are capable of traversing the internal lumen of the guide catheter. In addition, the present invention discloses various methods for repairing tissue within the heart of a patient.

Abstract: An activation device for applying energy to an implanted annuloplasty ring is described. In some embodiments, the activation device includes an outer elongate member having an outer elongate member distal end and an outer elongate member proximal end, and a lumen therebetween. In some embodiments, the activation device further includes an inner elongate member having a inner elongate member distal end and a inner elongate member proximal end, and a lumen therebetween, wherein the inner elongate member is slidably insertable through the lumen of the outer elongate member.

Abstract: A modular elongated stent having an overlap region where two modular components fit together, the overlap region being relatively stiff as compared to another more flexible region of the stent when the stent is in an assembled configuration, the stent further comprising a mimic region that has a stiffness essentially equivalent to the stiffness of the overlap region, to provide kink resistance. A stent having such a mimic region or otherwise stiff region and a flexible region may have a transition region between the stiff and flexible regions, also to provide kink resistance. A stent may have relatively stiff regions and relatively flexible regions positioned to align the flexible regions with curved regions of a body lumen when deployed within the body lumen. The stiffness of the stiff, flexible, and transition regions may be controlled by varying the cross-sectional area of the stent components and/or by varying the stent architecture.

Abstract: A clip for securing suture includes a generally tubular body, with one or more tabs cut from the wall of the generally tubular. The tab in an open configuration has the tabs in general alignment with the tab out wall, and the tab in a closed configuration has the tabs bent or otherwise positioned to extend into and at least partially obstruct the inner lumen. The tab may be formed as a generally horse-shoe shaped cut out, and may include a generally elliptical portion having a width and length. The tab may have a width generally the same size as the diameter of the inner lumen. The clip can be formed from memory material such as nitinol, and the clip may be biased toward its closed configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for repairing septal defects includes advancing a catheter to the site of the defect, grasping opposing edges of the defect, passing one or more suture lines through the opposing edges, and tightening the suture lines. The catheter can include one or more vacuum ports, with the vacuum ports being sized and configured to grasp opposing edges of the defect when vacuum is applied thereto. The vacuum ports may be positioned longitudinally distant from each other along the catheter, and may also be on different sides of the catheter. The vacuum ports may have vacuum applied via independent control. The catheter can also include suture deploying structure that prevents the suture line from becoming entangled in the catheter.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for reshaping a mitral valve annulus to correct for mitral regurgitation. The apparatuses include one or more balloons in a balloon assembly that are delivered in a deflated state and inflated within the left coronary sinus adjacent mitral annulus. The balloon or balloon assembly may be linear and have one or both ends more flexible than a mid-section, or may be curvilinear. A single balloon having differently constructed end sections may be used. Alternatively, a balloon assembly may include two concentrically arranged balloons with an inner, shorter balloon and an outer, longer balloon. The outer balloon defines the ends of the balloon assembly and is inflated to a lesser pressure than the inner balloon so as to result in the flexible ends. Two or more balloons in series may be mounted on a catheter with gaps therebetween to permit relative flexing or bending.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to various systems for repairing tissue within the heart of a patient. The mitral valve repair system of the present invention comprises a guide catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one internal lumen formed therein, a therapy catheter capable of applying a suture to the tissue, and a fastener catheter capable of attaching a fastener to the suture. The therapy catheter and the fastener catheter are capable of traversing the internal lumen of the guide catheter. In addition, the present invention discloses various methods for repairing tissue within the heart of a patient.