Abstract: A method for locking an intrabody implant over a thread passing through the implant. The method includes advancing a lock body, which includes at least one rotatable element, to the implant over the thread. Subsequently to advancing the lock body to the implant, the rotatable element is rotated such that the lock body grips the thread proximally to the implant.

Abstract: A method for locking an intrabody implant over a thread passing through the implant. The method includes advancing a lock body, which includes at least one rotatable element, to the implant over the thread. Subsequently to advancing the lock body to the implant, the rotatable element is rotated such that the lock body grips the thread proximally to the implant.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to lock an intrabody implant over a thread passing through the implant includes a lock body configured to advance to the implant over the thread and including at least one rotatable element, the lock body being configured to grip the thread proximally to the implant upon rotation of the rotatable element, and a rotation-maintaining element, configured to inhibit a reversal of the rotation of the rotatable element by engaging with the lock body. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for implantation at an annulus (75) of an intracardiac valve includes an annuloplasty ring (110) comprising a plurality of rotatably adjoining segments (112). The ring is configured to pass over multiple threads (58), respective distal ends of which are distributed over the annulus, and, while passing over the threads, expand from a collapsed state to an expanded state by virtue of the segments rotating with respect to each other. The apparatus further comprises a lock (114), configured to lock the ring in the expanded state at the valve by inhibiting rotation of the segments with respect to each another. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus, device and method are provided for executing a clot or plaque removal procedure. In one embodiment, a clot removal device may include a clot holding element for penetrating a target clot and stabilizing the clot in its position; a controllable distal filter that can be extended to cover the target clot; a distal filter, openable downstream from the clot, designed to substantially prevent flow through of clot elements, and further designed to drag the clot out of a vessel, for retrieving by the clot removal device.

Abstract: An intravascular device configured to treat an aneurysm that includes a support structure including metal struts configured to be positioned in a body lumen and defining a central fluid passage that extends axially along the support structure, and a knitted mesh cover disposed over an exterior thereof and across a radial arc and along a length of the support structure sufficient to exceed an opening of an aneurysm to be treated, and the cover includes a polymer fiber having a diameter of at least 40 nanometers to 30 microns and apertures therethrough, the apertures being sized to prevent blood from passing through the device to prevent further expansion of the aneurysm. Devices including apertures that are at least 20 microns and sized to minimize or prevent an aneurysm-filling material from exiting the aneurysm through the knitted mesh cover and support structure, and methods of stenting, are also encompassed.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to lock an intrabody implant over a thread passing through the implant includes a lock body configured to advance to the implant over the thread and including at least one rotatable element, the lock body being configured to grip the thread proximally to the implant upon rotation of the rotatable element, and a rotation-maintaining element, configured to inhibit a reversal of the rotation of the rotatable element by engaging with the lock body. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a thread (58) and a tissue anchor (60) coupled to the thread. The anchor includes a proximal portion (60p), shaped to define one or more appendages (82), a distal portion (60d), and a plurality of strips (84) joining the proximal portion to the distal portion. The anchor is configured to anchor the thread at tissue (42) of a subject by virtue of the appendages expanding radially, and the strips expanding radially to form respective loops at a distal side of the tissue, upon removal of a radially-constraining force from the anchor. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Described embodiments include apparatus (20) that includes an assembly of tubes (34), each one of the tubes being shaped to define a tube lumen (62). The apparatus further includes a plurality of tissue anchors (60), each one of the tissue anchors being disposed within a respective one of the tube lumens, an expandable annular structure (36), including a plurality of teeth (40), coupled to the assembly of tubes, and a plurality of control wires (38) coupled to the annular structure, configured to position the tubes for deployment of the tissue anchors from the tube lumens, by manipulating the annular structure. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An intravascular device configured to treat an aneurysm that includes a support structure including metal struts configured to be positioned in a body lumen and defining a central fluid passage that extends axially along the support structure, and a knitted mesh cover disposed over an exterior thereof and across a radial arc and along a length of the support structure sufficient to exceed an opening of an aneurysm to be treated, and the cover includes a polymer fiber having a diameter of at least 40 nanometers to 30 microns and apertures therethrough, the apertures being sized to prevent blood from passing through the device to prevent further expansion of the aneurysm. Devices including apertures that are at least 20 microns and sized to minimize or prevent an aneurysm-filling material from exiting the aneurysm through the knitted mesh cover and support structure, and methods of stenting, are also encompassed.

Abstract: An enhanced stent apparatus includes an implantable element, constructed of a flexible, biocompatible material configured to be positioned in a body lumen. An inner structure is located on an inner surface of said implantable element, wherein the inner structure is made of metal, has a coverage area of less than 30% and is provided with apertures. An outer structure is located on an outer surface of said implantable element, wherein the outer structure is made of metal, has a coverage area of less than 30% and is provided with apertures.

Abstract: Various stent assemblies for placement in a body lumen that includes a support element comprising metal struts constructed to be positioned in a body lumen, and a knitted layer or cover disposed over an interior, an exterior, or both, of the support element and along an entire length thereof, wherein the knitted layer or cover comprises a single polymer fiber or metal wire having a diameter of at least 40 nanometers to 30 microns, wherein the support element and knitted cover together have apertures sized 100 microns to 300 microns in diameter, or alternatively from 200 microns to 1500 microns, to block larger debris when the stent assembly is properly placed in a body lumen. Methods of stenting a body lumen by applying the stent assembly to a patient in need of treatment and expanding the stent assembly in situ are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a thread (58) and a tissue anchor (60) coupled to the thread. The anchor includes a proximal portion (60p), shaped to define one or more appendages (82), a distal portion (60d), and a plurality of strips (84) joining the proximal portion to the distal portion. The anchor is configured to anchor the thread at tissue (42) of a subject by virtue of the appendages expanding radially, and the strips expanding radially to form respective loops at a distal side of the tissue, upon removal of a radially-constraining force from the anchor. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus, device and method are provided for executing a clot or plaque removal procedure. In one embodiment, a clot removal device may include a clot holding element for penetrating a target clot and stabilizing the clot in its position; a controllable distal filter that can be extended to cover the target clot; a distal filter, openable downstream from the clot, designed to substantially prevent flow through of clot elements, and further designed to drag the clot out of a vessel, for retrieving by the clot removal device.

Abstract: An apparatus (20, 20a) includes a plurality of flexible tube guides (35), an annular assembly of tubes (34), each of the tubes being slidably disposed within a respective one of the tube guides, a plurality of threads (58), each of which comprising a distal end that is carried by a respective one of the tubes, and an expandable annular structure (36) coupled to the tube guides, configured to expand the assembly of tubes, from a collapsed configuration, over tissue (42) of a subject, by moving the tube guides radially outward. The apparatus further includes a plurality of control wires (40) coupled to the tube guides, configured to position the tubes, subsequently to the expansion of the assembly, for deployment of the threads from the tubes and into the tissue, by flexing the tube guides.

Abstract: An intravascular device configured to treat an aneurysm that includes a support structure including metal struts configured to be positioned in a body lumen and defining a central fluid passage that extends axially along the support structure, and a knitted mesh cover disposed over an exterior thereof and across a radial arc and along a length of the support structure sufficient to exceed an opening of an aneurysm to be treated, and the cover includes a polymer fiber having a diameter of at least 40 nanometers to 30 microns and apertures therethrough, the apertures being sized to prevent blood from passing through the device to prevent further expansion of the aneurysm. Devices including apertures that are at least 20 microns and sized to minimize or prevent an aneurysm-filling material from exiting the aneurysm through the knitted mesh cover and support structure, and methods of stenting, are also encompassed.

Abstract: Methods of providing a stent assembly that includes a stent jacket formed from an expansible mesh structure having apertures and that includes a fiber having a diameter of about 7 micrometers and about 40 micrometers, and an expansible stent operatively associated with the stent jacket. The method further comprises administering to the subject an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) eluted from the stent assembly.

Abstract: Described embodiments include apparatus (20) that includes an assembly of tubes (34), each one of the tubes being shaped to define a tube lumen (62). The apparatus further includes a plurality of tissue anchors (60), each one of the tissue anchors being disposed within a respective one of the tube lumens, an expandable annular structure (36), including a plurality of teeth (40), coupled to the assembly of tubes, and a plurality of control wires (38) coupled to the annular structure, configured to position the tubes for deployment of the tissue anchors from the tube lumens, by manipulating the annular structure. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Described embodiments include an apparatus (20, 20a), including a plurality of flexible tube guides (35), an annular assembly of tubes (34), each of the tubes being slidably disposed within a respective one of the tube guides, a plurality of threads (58), each of which comprising a distal end that is carried by a respective one of the tubes, and an expandable annular structure (36) coupled to the tube guides, configured to expand the assembly of tubes, from a collapsed configuration, over tissue (42) of a subject, by moving the tube guides radially outward. The apparatus further includes a plurality of control wires (40) coupled to the tube guides, configured to position the tubes, subsequently to the expansion of the assembly, for deployment of the threads from the tubes and into the tissue, by flexing the tube guides. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A medical stent mold includes a tube having an interior passage sized and dimensioned to receive a stent assembly disposed at least partially about a central portion of a stent balloon. The medical stent mold may also include a housing forming a chamber through which the tube extends. The tube may include a thermally conductive material and may have a body portion that extends within the chamber and an end portion that is proximate the body portion and that extends away from the housing. Forced convection may be used to quickly heat and cool the tube. Methods of increasing retention of an expandable stent assembly on a stent balloon and of detecting a leak in a stent balloon are also included.