Abstract: An energy assisted tissue piercing device that enables a tissue piercing wire to puncture heart tissue percutaneouly. The energy assisted tissue piercing device includes an outer delivery catheter, an inner tissue piercing wire, and an energy source. The inner tissue piercing wire is disposed longitudinally through the lumen of the outer delivery catheter during delivery. The inner needle has a flexible portion that allows the wire to bend when it is free from the constraint of the outer delivery catheter. The inner tissue piercing wire is conductive and connected to an energy source and the piercing of the heart tissue is done with the aid of the energy from the energy source.

Abstract: A system for percutaneous transluminal front-end delivery and retrieval of a collapsible prosthetic occluder includes a front-end loading portion, a control assembly and an introducer and retrieval sheath assembly. The front-end loading portion includes a tapering lumen portion and a smaller diameter distal lumen portion. An infusion port communicates with the distal lumen portion immediately adjacent the distal end of the tapering lumen portion. A valve assembly seals the front-end loading portion lumen proximally of the collapsed occluder. The distal end of the front-end loading portion lumen is inserted into the proximal end of an introducer and retrieval sheath assembly. A control assembly advances the occluder through the front-end loading portion, the introducer and retrieval sheath assembly and into the defect site. The retrieval sheath assembly is less flexible than the introducer sheath and is sufficiently rigid to evert the deployed occluder when retracted thereagainst.

Abstract: A method for percutaneous transluminal front-end delivery of a collapsible prosthetic occluder using a front-end loading portion, a control assembly and an introducer sheath. The prosthetic device is collapsed in a lumen of a front-end loading portion. A valve assembly seals the front-end loading portion lumen proximally of the collapsed occluder. Fluid is then infused through a port extending into the front-end loading portion in communication with the front-end loading portion lumen to remove air bubbles from the collapsed prosthetic device. The prosthetic device is advanced using a control assembly from the front-end loading portion into the introducer and ultimately into the defect site.

Abstract: A system for percutaneous transluminal front-end delivery of a collapsible prosthetic occluder includes a front-end loading portion, a control assembly and an introducer. The front-end loading portion includes a tapering lumen portion and a smaller diameter distal lumen portion. An infusion port communicates with the distal lumen portion immediately adjacent the distal end of the tapering lumen portion. A valve assembly seals the front-end loading portion lumen proximally of the collapsed occluder. The distal end of the front-end loading portion lumen is inserted into the proximal end of an introducer. A control assembly advances the occluder through the front-end loading portion, the introducer and into the defect site.