Abstract: Annuloplasty device for implantation adjacent an annulus of a tricuspid valve, the annulus comprising anterior, posterior and septal aspects adjacent anterior, posterior and septal leaflets, respectively, of the tricuspid valve, the device comprising: a ring body comprising: an anterior portion, a posterior portion and a septal portion shaped to conform to, and for implantation adjacent, the anterior, posterior and septal aspects of the annulus, respectively; and first and second end portions that are more flexible than a remainder of the ring body to provide a gradual transition from the remainder of the ring body to tissue of the tricuspid valve annulus; wherein the ring body is curvilinear, with substantially no flat portions, and forming a shape. Related devices, kits and sizer devices.

Abstract: Annuloplasty device for implantation adjacent an annulus of a tricuspid valve, the annulus comprising anterior, posterior and septal aspects adjacent anterior, posterior and septal leaflets, respectively, of the tricuspid valve, the device comprising: a ring body comprising: an anterior portion, a posterior portion and a septal portion shaped to conform to, and for implantation adjacent, the anterior, posterior and septal aspects of the annulus, respectively; and first and second end portions that are more flexible than a remainder of the ring body to provide a gradual transition from the remainder of the ring body to tissue of the tricuspid valve annulus; wherein the ring body is curvilinear, with substantially no flat portions, and forming a shape. Related devices, kits and sizer devices.

Abstract: Annuloplasty device for implantation adjacent an annulus of a tricuspid valve, the annulus comprising, anterior, posterior and septal aspects adjacent anterior, posterior and septal leaflets, respectively, of the tricuspid valve, the device comprising: a ring body comprising: an anterior portion, a posterior portion and a septal portion shaped to conform to, and for implantation adjacent, the anterior, posterior and septal aspects of the annulus, respectively; and first and second end portions that are more flexible than a remainder of the ring body to provide a gradual transition from the remainder of the ring body to tissue of the tricuspid valve annulus; wherein the ring body is curvilinear, with substantially no flat portions, and forming a shape. Related devices, kits and sizer devices.

Abstract: Annuloplasty device for implantation adjacent an annulus of a tricuspid valve, the annulus comprising, anterior, posterior and septal aspects adjacent anterior, posterior and septal leaflets, respectively, of the tricuspid valve, the device comprising: a ring body comprising: an anterior portion, a posterior portion and a septal portion shaped to conform to, and for implantation adjacent, the anterior, posterior and septal aspects of the annulus, respectively; and first and second end portions that are more flexible than a remainder of the ring body to provide a gradual transition from the remainder of the ring body to tissue of the tricuspid valve annulus; wherein the ring body is curvilinear, with substantially no flat portions, and forming a shape. Related devices, kits and sizer devices.

Abstract: Annuloplasty device for implantation adjacent an annulus of a tricuspid valve, the annulus comprising anterior, posterior and septal aspects adjacent anterior, posterior and septal leaflets, respectively, of the tricuspid valve, the device comprising: a ring body comprising: an anterior portion, a posterior portion and a septal portion shaped to conform to, and for implantation adjacent, the anterior, posterior and septal aspects of the annulus, respectively; and first and second end portions that are more flexible than a remainder of the ring body to provide a gradual transition from the remainder of the ring body to tissue of the tricuspid valve annulus; wherein the ring body is curvilinear, with substantially no flat portions, and forming a shape. Related devices, kits and sizer devices.

Abstract: An annuloplasty prosthesis including a sheath, an arcuate stiffening element, and an imaging element. The arcuate stiffening element is disposed within the sheath and defines discrete, first and second ends separated by a lateral spacing. The imaging element is disposed within the sheath along the lateral spacing. With this configuration, following implant to the valve annulus, the imaging element provides a mechanism for non-invasively evaluating a shape of the valve annulus, for example, via radiographic, echogenic and/or other image enhancing visualization techniques. In some embodiments, the annuloplasty prosthesis provides a radiographic, echogenic and/or other image enhanced image of a near entirety of the valve annulus.

Abstract: A solution is provided to push a knot and/or cut a suture using a housing having a tip, a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side having a recessed center. The housing further has at least one slit positioned at the tip, and a blade moveable between retracted and extended positions, and positioned within the housing such that the blade passes through the slit as it is moved from the retracted position to the extended position within the slit. A notch may be positioned at the tip to push the knot to a desired position.

Abstract: Annuloplasty device for implantation adjacent an annulus of a tricuspid valve, the annulus comprising anterior, posterior and septal aspects adjacent anterior, posterior and septal leaflets, respectively, of the tricuspid valve, the device comprising: a ring body comprising: an anterior portion, a posterior portion and a septal portion shaped to conform to, and for implantation adjacent, the anterior, posterior and septal aspects of the annulus, respectively; and first and second end portions that are more flexible than a remainder of the ring body to provide a gradual transition from the remainder of the ring body to tissue of the tricuspid valve annulus; wherein the ring body is curvilinear, with substantially no flat portions, and forming a shape. Related devices, kits and sizer devices.

Abstract: An apparatus to puncture a blood vessel has an elongate body portion having a first end, a second end, and a lumen. A pusher member is received by the lumen and a gentle flow tip is coupled to the second end. A blade is in communication with the pusher member, wherein the blade is positioned around the outer curvature of the gentle flow tip.

Abstract: An annuloplasty prosthesis including a sheath, an arcuate stiffening element, and an imaging element. The arcuate stiffening element is disposed within the sheath and defines discrete, first and second ends separated by a lateral spacing. The imaging element is disposed within the sheath along the lateral spacing. With this configuration, following implant to the valve annulus, the imaging element provides a mechanism for non-invasively evaluating a shape of the valve annulus, for example, via radiographic, echogenic and/or other image enhancing visualization techniques. In some embodiments, the annuloplasty prosthesis provides a radiographic, echogenic and/or other image enhanced image of a near entirety of the valve annulus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a suture-terminating device comprising a central body having at least one surface, a plurality of flanges extending radially from the surface and defining at least one grove therebetween, each flange having at least one aperture axially aligned and spaced away from the base wall, at least one removable member disposed within each aperture, and at least one spring disposed adjacently to the surface and maintained in its activated state by contact with a removable member disposed within the aperture. The grove has a base wall and at least one sidewall. The spring, while in its active state, is positioned adjacent to and spaced from the base wall, defining a gap of sufficient size to permit the passage of at least one suture therethrough. The surgeon actuates the device by withdrawing the removable member from the aperture, thus permitting the spring to return to its resting state within the grove.

Abstract: An annuloplasty device shaped and sized for attachment to the inner surface of an annulus, the annuloplasty device comprising: a semi-rigid oblong support member having a first end, a second end, a first surface, and a second surface, the first surface including a securing means for securing the first surface to the inner surface of the heart valve annulus, wherein the annuloplasty device is capable of being bent to conform to the inner surface of the annulus such that the first end does not contact the second end.

Abstract: A wide-view endoscope comprising a rounded body having an inner surface, a proximal end and a distal end, at least one lens element having an outer surface, a plurality of gaps formed by the inner surface of the body and the outer surface of the lens element, where at least one of the gaps is disproportionate in size by comparison to the remaining gaps, and at least one conduit for the transmission of light from an external light source to a visualized object, the conduit being disposed of in the gaps. Whereby, light is asymmetrically transmitted to the visualized object and the visualized object has a three-dimensional appearance that is produced through the shadowing resulting from the asymmetric transmission of light to the visualized object.

Abstract: A suture securing apparatus comprising an apparatus body having a upper surface, a lower surface, an outer surface, and at least one aperture, the aperture having a longitudinal axis extending from the upper surface to the lower surface and defining an aperture surface, wherein a first longitudinal direction and a second longitudinal direction thereof each extends along the longitudinal axis in opposite directions, the aperture including an integral locking means for engaging a suture threaded therethrough.