Abstract: Disclosed is a closure catheter, for closing a tissue opening such as an atrial septal defect, patent foreman ovale, or the left atrial appendage of the heart. The closure catheter carries a plurality of tissue anchors, which may be deployed into tissue surrounding the opening, and used to draw the opening closed. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for remodeling the tongue. One or more spaces or cavities are formed in the tongue using, for example, surgical or RF ablative techniques. The cavities can be closed or collapsed by inserting a tethered soft tissue anchor into the tongue and attaching the tethered portion of the soft tissue anchor to a bony structure such as the mandible or hyoid bone in order to exert a collapsing force on the one or more spaces or cavities. The insertion pathway of the tethered soft tissue anchor may pass adjacent to or even through one or more cavities. Also disclosed herein is a tongue remodeling system that includes means for creating a space in the tongue, and a tissue anchor configured to close the space. The tissue anchor may be tethered or expandable.

Abstract: Disclosed is an occlusion device for use in a body lumen such as the left atrial appendage. The occlusion device includes an occlusion member and may also include a stabilizing member. The stabilizing member inhibits compression of the left atrial appendage, facilitating tissue in-growth onto the occlusion member. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the tongue. An implant is positioned within at least a portion of the tongue and may be secured to other surrounding structures such as the mandible and/or hyoid bone. In general, the implant is manipulated to displace at least a portion of the posterior tongue in an anterior or lateral direction, or to alter the tissue tension or compliance of the tongue. Methods and devices are also disclosed for manipulating other soft tissue structures, including the soft palate and pharyngeal airway.

Abstract: Disclosed is an adjustable occlusion device for use in a body lumen such as the left atrial appendage. The occlusion device is removably carried by a deployment catheter. The device may be enlarged or reduced to facilitate optimal placement or removal. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anastomosis catheter, for achieving a tissue to tissue or synthetic graft to tissue attachment. The catheter includes a plurality of deployable tissue anchors, which may be laterally deployed into surrounding tissue. The anchors may be used to achieve end to end or end to side anastomoses. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a closure catheter, for closing a body cavity such as a vessel, or the left atrial appendage of the heart. The closure catheter includes a plurality of deployable tissue anchors, which may be laterally deployed into surrounding tissue. The anchors may thereafter be used to draw the tissue radially inwardly, to close the body cavity. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the hyoid bone, such as to treat obstructive sleep apnea. A conformable implant is positioned adjacent a hyoid bone. The spatial orientation of the hyoid bone is manipulated, to affect the configuration of the airway. The implant restrains the hyoid bone in the manipulated configuration. The implant is positioned adjacent to pharyngeal structures to dilate the pharyngeal airway and/or to support the pharyngeal wall against collapse. The implant may be attached to the hyoid bone using a clamp delivery tool that is adapted to releasably engage the implant.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the airway, such as to treat obstructive sleep apnea. An implant is positioned within the body with respect to the airway. The spatial orientation of the airway is manipulated, directly or indirectly, to affect the configuration of the airway. In general, the implant is manipulated to displace the trachea in an inferior direction, resist superior displacement of the trachea and/or to alter the tracheal wall tension. The implant restrains the trachea in the manipulated configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for facilitating access to the left atrium, and specifically the left atrial appendage. The apparatus may comprise a sheath with first and second curved sections that facilitate location of the fossa ovalis and left atrial appendage. The apparatus may further comprise tissue piercing and dilating structures. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of delivering and deploying the device for containing the emboli during a surgical procedure proximate to the heart. Access is gained to the heart and the left atrium such that a distal end of the delivery sheath can be located near the left atrial appendage. A distal end of a delivery catheter can be loaded with the device in a collapsed position and passed through the delivery sheath thereby delivering the device within the left atrial appendage. The device is expanded to contain emboli in the left atrium appendage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a closure catheter, for closing a tissue opening such as an atrial septal defect, patent foreman ovale, or the left atrial appendage of the heart. The closure catheter carries a plurality of tissue anchors, which may be deployed into tissue surrounding the opening, and used to draw the opening closed. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the hyoid bone, such as to treat obstructive sleep apnea. An implant is positioned adjacent a hyoid bone. The spatial orientation of the hyoid bone is manipulated, to affect the configuration of the airway. The implant restrains the hyoid bone in the manipulated configuration. The implant is positioned adjacent to pharyngeal structures to dilate the pharyngeal airway and/or to support the pharyngeal wall against collapse.

Abstract: A mitral annuloplasty and left ventricle restriction device is designed to be transvenously advanced and deployed within the coronary sinus and in some embodiments other coronary veins The device places tension on adjacent structures, reducing the diameter and/or limiting expansion of the mitral annulus and/or limiting diastolic expansion of the left ventricle. These effects may be beneficial for patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Abstract: A device for containing emboli within a left atrial appendage of a patient includes a frame that is expandable from a reduced cross section to an enlarged cross section and a slider assembly. The frame extends between a proximal hub and a distal hub, and the slider assembly is coupled to the distal hub of the frame. The slider assembly includes a guide tube that has a channel extending proximally away from the distal hub, and a nut. The nut is longitudinally moveable within the channel of the guide tube over a predetermined distance relative to the guide tube. The nut is operable to be releasably coupled with an elongate core, and movement of the nut relative to the guide tube is at least partially limited by interference between a portion of the nut and a portion of the guide tube.

Abstract: A mitral annuloplasty and left ventricle restriction device is designed to be transvenously advanced and deployed within the coronary sinus and in some embodiments other coronary veins. The device places tension on adjacent structures, reducing the diameter and/or limiting expansion of the mitral annulus and/or limiting diastolic expansion of the left ventricle. These effects may be beneficial for patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Abstract: A mitral annuloplasty and left ventricle restriction device is designed to be transvenously advanced and deployed within the coronary sinus and in some embodiments other coronary veins. The device places tension on adjacent structures, reducing the diameter and/or limiting expansion of the mitral annulus and/or limiting diastolic expansion of the left ventricle. These effects may be beneficial for patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Abstract: A mitral annuloplasty and left ventricle restriction device is designed to be transvenously advanced and deployed within the coronary sinus and in some embodiments other coronary veins. The device places tension on adjacent structures, reducing the diameter and/or limiting expansion of the mitral annulus and/or limiting diastolic expansion of the left ventricle. These effects may be beneficial for patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Abstract: A stent or stent-graft deployment apparatus or mechanism configured so that, when activated, the stent or stent-graft progressively expands in a direction from its end which is proximally positioned to the deployment instrument, such as a percutaneous catheter, to its end which is distally positioned to the deployment instrument. The stent or stent-graft deployment mechanism includes a tether or slip line configuration which reduces the likelihood of snagging between the line and stent member. A method is also provided for deploying a stent or stent-graft within a mammalian lumen which includes expanding the stent or stent-graft in such a proximal-to-distal direction. The apparatus and method of the present invention minimize the likelihood of the stent or stent-graft from being displaced from the desired site before it is somewhat secured in the vessel during deployment.

Abstract: A stent or stent-graft deployment apparatus or mechanism configured so that, when activated, the stent or stent-graft progressively expands in a direction from its end which is proximally positioned to the deployment instrument, such as a percutaneous catheter, to its end which is distally positioned to the deployment instrument. The stent or stent-graft deployment mechanism includes a tether or slip line configuration which reduces the likelihood of snagging between the line and stent member. A method is also provided for deploying a stent or stent-graft within a mammalian lumen which includes expanding the stent or stent-graft in such a proximal-to-distal direction. The apparatus and method of the present invention minimize the likelihood of the stent or stent-graft from being displaced from the desired site before it is somewhat secured in the vessel during deployment.