Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis frame, the frame comprising a hollow tube shape for allowing blood to flow through; an upstream portion designed to expand to have at least one dimension wider than a native heart valve annulus; a downstream portion attached to the upstream portion, the downstream portion also designed to expand to have at least a portion with at least one dimension wider than the native heart valve annulus; wherein the downstream portion is shaped to have one side of the downstream portion of the hollow tube frame extend less from a center of the hollow tube than an opposite side of the hollow tube.

Abstract: A stent implant includes a first stent segment having a non-circular axial cross-sectional shape in a relaxed configuration thereof, second and third stent segments on opposite sides of the first stent segment, the second and third stent segments having a circular relaxed axial cross-sectional shape, a fluid-tight covering disposed on at least one of an outer diameter or an inner diameter of the first, second, and third stent segments, and a blood flow egress channel in fluid communication with a space on the outer diameter of the first stent segment, the blood flow egress channel configured to permit blood flow to pass axially out of the space through the blood flow egress channel.

Abstract: An intravascular compliance-enhancing spring implant device includes a fully-cylindrical tubular frame defining a longitudinal axis and a non-circular cross-sectional shape having a major axis diameter and a minor axis diameter that is less than the major axis diameter, first and second longitudinal tissue-contact rails associated with first and second major-axis ends, respectively, of the tubular frame and adapted to press against an inner diameter of a target blood vessel, and first and second lateral connecting strut arrays associated with minor-axis sides of the tubular frame, the first and second lateral connecting strut arrays spanning between the first and second tissue-contact rails on diametrically opposite sides of a lumen of the tubular frame and adapted to be compressed along a major-axis dimension of the tubular frame in a manner as to reduce a distance between the first and second tissue-contact rails, storing spring energy in the lateral connecting strut arrays.

Abstract: Methods of reshaping blood vessels for improving compliance and increasing blood flow are disclosed. One preferred method includes deploying a tubular stent frame within a blood vessel. The stent frame preferably has a non-circular cross-section with a major-axis and a minor-axis. At least one tissue anchor is provided along a wall portion on the minor-axis. The tissue anchor is embedded into a wall of the blood vessel and the wall of the blood vessel is drawn into contact with the minor-axis wall portion. Preferably, tissue anchors are provided along opposing minor-axes of the stent frame for reshaping the blood vessel into a substantially oval cross-section. When exposed to high blood pressure, the stent frame expands to a more circular shape for allowing more blood to pass therethrough. Under low pressure, the stent frame returns to a non-circular cross-section to aid with the pumping of blood.

Abstract: A flow restrictor for a blood vessel can include a frame positionable within a blood vessel, and a leaflet or flap comprising an inflow end and an outflow end. The inflow end of the leaflet or flap can be configured to move (optionally using a control element) in response to a first increase in a blood pressure within the blood vessel, and in response to the blood pressure being within a first blood pressure range. The flow restrictor can be further configured to be a bi-modal flow restrictor, wherein the leaflet or flap can be configured to collapse or prolapse in response to the blood pressure being within a second blood pressure range. In some cases, the bi-modal flow restrictor can include an inner valve configured to move with respect to the frame in response to the blood pressure being within the second blood pressure range.

Abstract: Examples of transection devices are disclosed. One example includes an elongated body having a U-shaped notch, wherein the U-shaped notch includes a wall surface extending from a surface of the elongated body and an upper extension extending from the wall surface substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the elongated body. An incision member located in the U-shaped notch preferably extends from the elongated body toward the extension of the U-shaped notch at an angle. The incision member is well suited for cutting pericardial tissue as it passes through the U-shaped notch.

Abstract: A medical device includes a flexible catheter including a distal end, at least one lumen, and a longitudinal axis, an incision device coupled to the distal end of the catheter, and a distal tip coupled to and projecting from the incision assembly. The incision device comprises a wire that includes one or more electrodes for creating an incision through a pericardium. The wire has a first end fixed to an external surface of the distal tip and a second end extending through the distal opening of the distal tip. The wire is structured such that in a deployed configuration, (i) the portion of the wire extending from the first end of the wire to the distal opening of the body of the distal tip forms a shape comprising a protrusion extending relative to a longitudinal axis of the transcatheter and (ii) the electrode is positioned proximal to the protrusion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical device comprising an incision assembly coupled to a catheter and an incision opening defined along the incision assembly. A retractable cutting apparatus is disposed within the incision opening and comprises a first incision member comprising at least one first cutting surface and defining a first member proximal end rotatably fixed proximate to a distal end of the incision opening and the at least one cutting surface is located on a bottom edge of the first incision member. A second incision member comprises at least one second cutting surface and defines a second member distal end attached to the first incision member at a connection point between a first member distal end and the first member proximal end of the first incision member, and wherein the at least one second cutting surface is located on a bottom edge of the second incision member.

Abstract: Within a delivery passage of a catheter, an elongated and flexible annuloplasty structure is transluminally advanced toward a heart of a subject while the annuloplasty structure is in a substantially linear configuration in which a distal end of the annuloplasty structure is closer than a proximal end of the annuloplasty structure to a distal opening of the catheter. Subsequently, the distal end of the annuloplasty structure is advanced, followed by the proximal end of the annuloplasty structure, out of the catheter and into an atrium of the heart. Within the atrium, the annuloplasty structure is transitioned toward a ring form by the distal end of the annuloplasty structure being brought towards the proximal end of the annuloplasty structure. While the annuloplasty structure remains in the ring form, the annuloplasty structure is placed against tissue of the annulus and is anchored to the tissue.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and devices usable for annuloplasty are provided. These can include an annuloplasty system comprising a segment having a lumen therethrough, the segment being positionable in a vicinity of a surface of a heart valve of a heart. The system can include a tube having a distal portion that is movable through the lumen of the segment and a distal end passable through an opening in the segment that is in fluid communication with the lumen. One or more tissue anchors are deliverable through the tube, the tissue anchor(s) being shaped so as to define a tissue coupling element. The distal portion of the tube can be removably positioned within the lumen of the segment, and, while so positioned, to deploy the tissue coupling element from the distal end of the tube in order to penetrate the tissue coupling element into cardiac tissue. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis including a frame, the frame including a plurality of struts designed to extend from an upstream side of a natural heart valve to a downstream side of the natural heart valve, and a plurality of connectors attached to the plurality of struts, wherein the plurality of connectors are arranged as arcs connecting the struts, the arcs having two ends, each end attached to one of the struts, and a peak pointing from a center of the frame circumferentially outward and toward the upstream side of the frame, and the plurality of connectors are arranged as at least two rows, each row circumnavigating the center lumen of the frame. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: Within a delivery passage of a catheter, an elongated and flexible annuloplasty structure is transluminally advanced toward a heart of a subject while the annuloplasty structure is in a substantially linear configuration in which a distal end of the annuloplasty structure is closer than a proximal end of the annuloplasty structure to a distal opening of the catheter. Subsequently, the distal end of the annuloplasty structure is advanced, followed by the proximal end of the annuloplasty structure, out of the catheter and into an atrium of the heart. Within the atrium, the annuloplasty structure is transitioned toward a ring form by the distal end of the annuloplasty structure being brought towards the proximal end of the annuloplasty structure. While the annuloplasty structure remains in the ring form, the annuloplasty structure is placed against tissue of the annulus and is anchored to the tissue.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and devices usable for valve repair are provided. These can include a valve repair system comprising an annuloplasty structure positionable in a vicinity of a surface of a heart valve of a heart. The system can include a tube or plurality of tubes. One or more tissue anchors are deliverable through the tube or plurality of tubes, the tissue anchor(s) being shaped so as to each define a tissue coupling element. The tissue coupling element(s) can be deployed from the distal end of the tube or plurality of tubes in order to penetrate the tissue coupling element into cardiac tissue. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A device for artificial cardiac valve support, the device including an upstream portion designed to expand to have at least one dimension wider than a native heart valve annulus, a downstream portion attached to the upstream portion, the downstream portion also designed to expand to have at least a portion with at least one dimension wider than a native heart valve annulus, and a plurality of artificial valve commissure posts. A method for producing a device for artificial cardiac valve support, the method including producing an upstream portion, producing a downstream portion, and attaching the upstream portion to the downstream portion, producing a frame for artificial cardiac valve support. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis frame, the frame comprising a hollow tube shape for allowing blood to flow through; an upstream portion designed to expand to have at least one dimension wider than a native heart valve annulus; a downstream portion attached to the upstream portion, the downstream portion also designed to expand to have at least a portion with at least one dimension wider than the native heart valve annulus; wherein the downstream portion is shaped to have one side of the downstream portion of the hollow tube frame extend less from a center of the hollow tube than an opposite side of the hollow tube.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis including a frame, the frame including a plurality of struts designed to extend from an upstream side of a natural heart valve to a downstream side of the natural heart valve, and a plurality of connectors attached to the plurality of struts, wherein the plurality of connectors are arranged as arcs connecting the struts, the arcs having two ends, each end attached to one of the struts, and a peak pointing from a center of the frame circumferentially outward and toward the upstream side of the frame, and the plurality of connectors are arranged as at least two rows, each row circumnavigating the center lumen of the frame. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and devices usable for annuloplasty are provided. These can include an annuloplasty system comprising a segment having a lumen therethrough, the segment being positionable in a vicinity of a surface of a heart valve of a heart. The system can include a tube having a distal portion that is movable through the lumen of the segment and a distal end passable through an opening in the segment that is in fluid communication with the lumen. One or more tissue anchors are deliverable through the tube, the tissue anchor(s) being shaped so as to define a tissue coupling element. The distal portion of the tube can be removably positioned within the lumen of the segment, and, while so positioned, to deploy the tissue coupling element from the distal end of the tube in order to penetrate the tissue coupling element into cardiac tissue. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatuses and devices usable for annuloplasty are provided. These can include a plurality of tissue anchors and an annuloplasty structure for placement on a heart valve annulus. The annuloplasty structure can include a plurality of compressible or adjustable subunits, and a plurality of anchor mounts alternately disposed with respect to the plurality of compressible/adjustable subunits. The anchor mounts are coupleable to the tissue anchors and can define a path for passage therethrough of a respective tissue anchor. The apparatuses and devices can be independently adjustable and can be adjustable for treating various sizes of patient annuli. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatuses and devices usable for annuloplasty are provided. These can include a plurality of helical tissue anchors and an annuloplasty structure for placement on a heart valve annulus. The annuloplasty structure can include a plurality of compressible or adjustable subunits, and a plurality of anchor mounts alternately disposed with respect to the plurality of compressible/adjustable subunits. The anchor mounts are coupleable to the helical anchors and can define a path for passage therethrough of a respective helical tissue anchor. The apparatuses and devices can be independently adjustable and can be adjustable for treating various sizes of patient annuli. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatuses and devices usable for annuloplasty are provided. These can include a plurality of helical tissue anchors and an annuloplasty structure for placement on a heart valve annulus. The annuloplasty structure can include a plurality of compressible or adjustable subunits, and a plurality of anchor mounts alternately disposed with respect to the plurality of compressible/adjustable subunits. The anchor mounts are coupleable to the helical anchors and can define a path for passage therethrough of a respective helical tissue anchor. The apparatuses and devices can be independently adjustable and can be adjustable for treating various sizes of patient annuli. Other embodiments are also described.