Abstract: A tension system (10) is provided, including first and second tissue anchors (20A, 20B) configured to be anchored to two target sites, respectively; and first and second tethers (24A, 24B), coupled to the first and the second tissue anchors (20A, 20B), respectively. An implantable force gauge (30) includes first and second components (31A, 31B), which are fixed to the first and the second tethers (24A, 24B), respectively, and which are non-integral with each other and are configured to be coupled together in situ so as to couple the first and the second tissue anchors (20A, 20B) together via the first and the second tethers (24A, 24B), for applying variable tension between the two target sites.

Abstract: A valve insertable into a body lumen has a body region forming a first leaflet and a second leaflet, with the first leaflet in contact with the second leaflet to provide the valve with a closed position. The body region includes a multiblock copolymer that is biomimetic and hydrolytically stable.

Abstract: A valve insertable into a body lumen has a body region forming a first leaflet and a second leaflet, with the first leaflet in contact with the second leaflet to provide the valve with a closed position. The body region includes a multiblock copolymer that is biomimetic and hydrolytically stable.

Abstract: An expandable tissue anchor (20, 120, 190, 220, 320, 420) includes an elongate tissue-coupling portion (30, 130, 192, 230, 330, 430) supported by an anchor shaft (32) at a first end (34) of the tissue-coupling portion (30, 130, 192, 230, 330, 430). The tissue-coupling portion (30, 130, 192, 230, 330, 430) is configured to be delivered in an unexpanded generally elongate configuration through a cardiac tissue wall from a first side of the wall to a second side of the wall, and to expand, on the second side of the cardiac tissue wall, to an expanded open shape configuration, such that the expanded tissue-coupling portion (30, 130, 192, 230, 330, 430) can be drawn tightly against the second side of the cardiac tissue wall when a tensile force is applied to the tissue-coupling portion (30, 130, 192, 230, 330, 430).

Abstract: A valve insertable into a body lumen includes a body region extending in a distal direction away from a proximal rim. The proximal rim defines an outer perimeter of the valve at a proximal end of the valve. The body region forms a first leaflet and a second leaflet, with the first leaflet in contact with the second leaflet to provide the valve with a closed position. The first leaflet includes a first segment in contact with the proximal rim and a second segment in contact with the second leaflet. The first segment is curved to include a convex exterior surface and a concave interior surface of the valve. The second segment is curved to include a concave exterior surface and a convex interior surface of the valve.

Abstract: A valve insertable into a body lumen includes a body region extending in a distal direction away from a proximal rim. The proximal rim defines an outer perimeter of the valve at a proximal end of the valve. The body region forms a first leaflet and a second leaflet, with the first leaflet in contact with the second leaflet to provide the valve with a closed position. The first leaflet includes a first segment in contact with the proximal rim and a second segment in contact with the second leaflet. The first segment is curved to include a convex exterior surface and a concave interior surface of the valve. The second segment is curved to include a concave exterior surface and a convex interior surface of the valve.

Abstract: A luminal valve for placing in a body lumen comprises at least four valve leaflets. The valve has a normally closed configuration in which the leaflets are engaged and an open configuration in which the leaflets are open. The valve may be mounted to an esophageal support.

Abstract: A luminal valve for placing in a body lumen comprises at least four valve leaflets. The valve has a normally closed configuration in which the leaflets are engaged and an open configuration in which the leaflets are open. The valve may be mounted to an esophageal support.

Abstract: A luminal valve for placing in a body lumen comprises at least four valve leaflets. The valve has a normally closed configuration in which the leaflets are engaged and an open configuration in which the leaflets are open. The valve may be mounted to an esophageal support.

Abstract: A luminal valve for placing in a body lumen comprises at least four valve leaflets. The valve has a normally closed configuration in which the leaflets are engaged and an open configuration in which the leaflets are open. The valve may be mounted to an esophageal support.

Abstract: An esophageal valve comprising a polymeric valve body having an outer support region, at least three valve leaflets, and a main body region extending between the support region and the valve leaflets. The valve has a normally closed configuration in which the valve is closed, an antegrade open configuration in which the valve leaflets are opened in response to an antegrade force to allow flow through the valve and a retrograde open configuration in response to a retrograde force which is substantially larger than the antegrade force.

Abstract: An esophageal valve comprising a polymeric valve body having an outer support region, at least three valve leaflets, and a main body region extending between the support region and the valve leaflets. The valve has a normally closed configuration in which the valve is closed, an antegrade open configuration in which the valve leaflets are opened in response to an antegrade force to allow flow through the valve and a retrograde open configuration in response to a retrograde force which is substantially larger than the antegrade force.

Abstract: Medical devices and related systems and methods.

Abstract: An esophageal valve comprising a polymeric valve body having an outer support region, at least three valve leaflets, and a main body region extending between the support region and the valve leaflets. The valve has a normally closed configuration in which the valve is closed, an antegrade open configuration in which the valve leaflets are opened in response to an antegrade force to allow flow through the valve and a retrograde open configuration in response to a retrograde force which is substantially larger than the antegrade force.

Abstract: A valve such as an esophageal valve has a normally closed configuration in which the valve is closed and an open configuration in which the valve is opened for flow through the valve. A support for the valve is adapted for mounting to a pre-deployed luminal prosthesis intermediate a proximal end and a distal end of the predeployed luminal prosthesis.

Abstract: A luminal valve for placing in a body lumen comprises at least four valve leaflets. The valve has a normally closed configuration in which the leaflets are engaged and an open configuration in which the leaflets are open. The valve may be mounted to an esophageal support.

Abstract: An esophageal valve has a central restriction to restrict flow through the valve. The valve has a proximal guide to guide antegrade flow to the restriction and a distal guide to guide retrograde flow to the restriction.

Abstract: An esophageal valve has a restriction to allow antegrade passage of swallowed food and controlled retrograde passage of fluid. The restriction comprises an iris having a number of folds.

Abstract: A stent loading device may comprise a stent crimping device, a fluid source and a support device arranged to support and move a stent delivery device. The fluid source may provide chilled fluid capable of placing a shape memory material into a martensitic state. After stent crimping, as the crimping device opens, the fluid flow may advance at least a portion of the stent into the delivery device. A step procedure may be used to move the rest of the stent into the delivery device, wherein the delivery device may be moved away from the crimping device, the portion of the stent still in the crimping device may be crimped again, and the delivery device may be moved back to its original position, thereby stepping another portion of the stent into the delivery device. The step procedure may be repeated until the entire stent is oriented within the delivery device.

Abstract: A stent loading system comprises a contracting aperture device having blades defining a contracting aperture and a fluid supply source. The blades are movable so as to vary the size of the contracting aperture. A stream of fluid is supplied by a fluid supply source and enters the contracting aperture and travels longitudinally through the contracting aperture. The stream of fluid is arranged to transport a stent from the contracting aperture contracting aperture and outside the contracting aperture device.