Abstract: A flexible highly-articulable dual-catheter device includes an outer catheter and an inner catheter. The outer catheter contains at least one lumen to support advancement and in-situ replacement of the inner catheter. An optional second lumen in the outer catheter enables carriage of a fiber-optic line for vision to aid a clinician to advance the dual-catheter device to the desired location in a body. The inner catheter is a multi-lumen catheter that enables a hypotube and a navigation wire to be passed through two of the lumens. The provision of a multi-segment region placed at the distal end of the hypotube, with each segment of a differing durometer, enables a wide range of articulability of the device. An optional second navigation wire can also be coupled to the distal end of the hypotube to provide additional articulation. Both diagnostic and therapeutic tools can be coupled to the elongated device. Various tips such as RF energy and aspiration tips can be coupled to the dual-catheter device.

Abstract: A double walled stent system particularly suited for treating abnormalities of the right ventricular outflow tract is disclosed having an exterior stent component and an interior stent component. The exterior stent component includes a plurality of longitudinally-extending connectors such as straight or sinusoidal bands. The interior stent component has a generally tubular cylindrical body and is centered within the exterior stent component. The stent system has a contracted delivery configuration and a radially expanded configuration for contacting the vessel wall. When deployed, the longitudinally-extending connectors of the exterior stent component come in contact with the vessel wall and fix the stent system to the treatment site. The interior stent component also radially expands but remains centered inside the exterior component and makes little to no contact with the vessel wall.

Abstract: A double walled stent system particularly suited for treating abnormalities of the right ventricular outflow tract is disclosed having an exterior stent component and an interior stent component. The exterior stent component is secured to the interior stent component in a non-fixed, sliding relationship. The exterior stent component includes a plurality of longitudinally-extending connectors such as straight or sinusoidal bands. The interior stent component has a generally tubular cylindrical body and is centered within the exterior stent component. The stent system has a contracted delivery configuration and a radially expanded configuration for contacting the vessel wall. When deployed, the longitudinally-extending connectors of the exterior stent component come in contact with the vessel wall and fix the stent system to the treatment site. The interior stent component also radially expands but remains centered inside the exterior component and makes little to no contact with the vessel wall.

Abstract: A system for treating mitral valve regurgitation includes a tensioning device having a flexible annuloplasty ring, a plurality of anchoring members and a tensioning filament attached to the flexible ring. One embodiment of the invention includes a method for attaching a flexible annuloplasty ring to the annulus of a mitral valve, and adjusting the lengths of segments of the tension filament attached to the flexible ring in order to exert force vectors on the annulus, thereby reshaping the mitral valve annulus so that the anterior and posterior leaflets of the mitral valve close completely during ventricular contraction.

Abstract: A method for modifying a heart valve annulus includes placing a purse string suture at a puncture site adjacent a heart valve, inserting at least one delivery member through the puncture site, positioning a distal end of the at least one delivery member adjacent a portion of a valve annulus, deploying an annuloplasty device carried within the at least one delivery member and implanting the annuloplasty device into the valve annulus. The method also includes reshaping the heart valve annulus after implantation of the at least one annuloplasty device.

Abstract: A system for treating mitral valve regurgitation includes a tensioning device having a flexible annuloplasty ring, a plurality of anchoring members and a tensioning filament attached to the flexible ring. One embodiment of the invention includes a method for attaching a flexible annuloplasty ring to the annulus of a mitral valve, and adjusting the lengths of segments of the tension filament attached to the flexible ring in order to exert force vectors on the annulus, thereby reshaping the mitral valve annulus so that the anterior and posterior leaflets of the mitral valve close completely during ventricular contraction.

Abstract: A catheter-based, annulus reduction device and system for cardiac valve repair and method of using the same. The system is usable for treating mitral valve regurgitation and comprises a catheter, a reduction ring carried within the catheter, the reduction ring including a plurality of exit ports formed in a side wall of the reduction ring and filament received in the reduction ring. The filament includes a plurality of radially extendible barbs corresponding to the sidewall openings. The reduction ring carrying the filament is deployed adjacent a mitral valve annulus and the filament is translated relative to the reduction ring to deploy the barbs through the exit ports and into the annulus and to further translate the reduction ring with deployed barbs to reshape the annulus.

Abstract: A double walled stent system particularly suited for treating abnormalities of the right ventricular outflow tract is disclosed having an exterior stent component and an interior stent component. The exterior stent component is secured to the interior stent component in a non-fixed, sliding relationship. The exterior stent component includes a plurality of longitudinally-extending connectors such as straight or sinusoidal bands. The interior stent component has a generally tubular cylindrical body and is centered within the exterior stent component. The stent system has a contracted delivery configuration and a radially expanded configuration for contacting the vessel wall. When deployed, the longitudinally-extending connectors of the exterior stent component come in contact with the vessel wall and fix the stent system to the treatment site. The interior stent component also radially expands but remains centered inside the exterior component and makes little to no contact with the vessel wall.

Abstract: A double walled stent system particularly suited for treating abnormalities of the right ventricular outflow tract is disclosed having an exterior stent component and an interior stent component. The exterior stent component includes a plurality of longitudinally-extending connectors such as straight or sinusoidal bands. The interior stent component has a generally tubular cylindrical body and is centered within the exterior stent component. The stent system has a contracted delivery configuration and a radially expanded configuration for contacting the vessel wall. When deployed, the longitudinally-extending connectors of the exterior stent component come in contact with the vessel wall and fix the stent system to the treatment site. The interior stent component also radially expands but remains centered inside the exterior component and makes little to no contact with the vessel wall.

Abstract: A method of deploying an implantable stented device in an anatomical location of a patient, including the steps of providing a delivery system with first and second stent engagement structures at its distal end, attaching a first structural element of the stented device to the first stent engagement structure and attaching a second structural element of the stented device to the second stent engagement structure, advancing the stented device to an implantation site, and sequentially disengaging the first structural element of the stented device from the first stent engagement structure of the delivery system and then disengaging the second structural element of the stented device from the second stent engagement structure.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering a stented prosthetic heart valve to a lumen of a patient, the delivery system including a tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a plurality of wires extending from the distal end of the tubular body, wherein each of the wires has a distal end that is coiled for engagement with a stent of a stented prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivery of an implantable stented device to a body lumen, the device having a plurality of structures at its proximal end, wherein the delivery system comprises a first body portion removably attached to a second body portion and wherein the second body portion includes a plurality of attachment components at its distal end for attachment to the plurality of structures at the proximal end of the device.

Abstract: A system for treating mitral valve regurgitation comprises a tensioning device slidably received within a delivery catheter. The tensioning device includes a tether linking proximal an anchoring member and a distal anchoring member. At least one of the anchoring members includes an elastic portion that flexes in response to a heartbeat when the tensioning device is positioned across a chamber of a heart. The tether includes at least one locking member initially positioned between the anchoring members. A method for treating mitral valve regurgitation comprises piercing a first wall of a chamber of a heart, engaging a distal anchoring member with a second wall of the heart chamber, engaging a proximal anchoring member with the first wall, and pulling a locking member affixed to a tether linking the anchoring members from an initial position between the two anchoring members to a locked position proximal the proximal anchoring member.

Abstract: A method for modifying a heart valve annulus includes placing a purse string suture at a puncture site adjacent a heart valve, inserting at least one delivery member through the puncture site, positioning a distal end of the at least one delivery member adjacent a portion of a valve annulus, deploying an annuloplasty device carried within the at least one delivery member and implanting the annuloplasty device into the valve annulus. The method also includes reshaping the heart valve annulus after implantation of the at least one annuloplasty device.

Abstract: A system for modifying a heart valve annulus includes a helically helical anchored annuloplasty device delivered to the annulus via an elongated delivery member. The helical anchors of the devices disclosed herein are rotated into the valve annulus along an anchor guide by using a driver that is movably disposed in the delivery member. A tether is disposed within an inner channel of the helical anchor and a locking device is used to secure the annuloplasty device after the valve annulus has been modified. The annuloplasty device can be delivered to the annulus using, traditional surgical approach or a minimally invasive or catheter based methods.

Abstract: A system for modifying a heart valve annulus includes a helically helical anchored annuloplasty device delivered to the annulus via an elongated delivery member. The helical anchors of the devices disclosed herein are rotated into the valve annulus along an anchor guide by using a driver that is movably disposed in the delivery member. A tether is disposed within an inner channel of the helical anchor and a locking device is used to secure the annuloplasty device after the valve annulus has been modified. The annuloplasty device can be delivered to the annulus using, traditional surgical approach or a minimally invasive or catheter based methods.

Abstract: A system for modifying a heart valve annulus includes a helically helical anchored annuloplasty device delivered to the annulus via an elongated delivery member. The helical anchors of the devices disclosed herein are rotated into the valve annulus along an anchor guide by using a driver that is movably disposed in the delivery member. A tether is disposed within an inner channel of the helical anchor and a locking device is used to secure the annuloplasty device after the valve annulus has been modified. The annuloplasty device can be delivered to the annulus using, traditional surgical approach or a minimally invasive or catheter based methods.

Abstract: A system for modifying a heart valve annulus includes a helically helical anchored annuloplasty device delivered to the annulus via an elongated delivery member. The helical anchors of the devices disclosed herein are rotated into the valve annulus along an anchor guide by using a driver that is movably disposed in the delivery member. A tether is disposed within an inner channel of the helical anchor and a locking device is used to secure the annuloplasty device after the valve annulus has been modified. The annuloplasty device can be delivered to the annulus using, traditional surgical approach or a minimally invasive or catheter based methods.

Abstract: A system for treating mitral valve regurgitation comprising at least delivery catheters, puncture catheters, and tensioning devices. The devices include tension members linking a proximal anchor and distal anchor that can be constructed from a tubular braded material and have internal reinforcing members. In some embodiments, the anchors and tension members may flex in response to a heart beat. The system can also include temporary anchors so a clinician can review and adjust the vector of the tension member. Delivery catheters can also include temporary anchors to secure the catheter in position. When positioned across the left ventricle of a heart, the device can reduce the lateral distance between the walls of the ventricle and thus allow better coaption of the mitral valve leaflets thereby reducing heart valve regurgitation.

Abstract: A device, a system and a method for contracting tissue in a mammalian body. The contracting device comprises a body and a plurality of legs radially splayed there from. Each leg includes a snap-acting spring tip. When a force is applied to the device, the tips operate to transform the device from a deployment state into a treatment state. Each leg may also be bent at one or more deformation elements in response to the application of force. The system comprises a contracting device slidably received within a delivery catheter. The method of contracting tissue in a mammalian body comprises delivering a contracting device in a lumen of a catheter proximate a treatment area, releasing the contracting device from the catheter, positioning legs of the contracting device on tissue to be contracted, exerting a force on the contracting device, transforming the device into a treatment state, and reducing a compass of the tissue in response to the attainment of the treatment state.