Abstract: A prosthesis including a frame configured for positioning at or near a native heart valve annulus, shaped and sized to prevent the frame element from shifting downstream of the native heart annulus, and at least two frame extensions attached to the frame at a first end proximal to the frame, the frame extensions configured and circumferentially arranged to extend between native heart valve leaflets, wherein the frame is configured for positioning at or near the native heart valve annulus with minimal interfering with opening and closing of the native heart valve leaflets, and the frame extensions are at least as long as the native heart leaflets, and are configured to extend between the native heart valve leaflets without interfering with opening and closing of the native heart valve leaflets. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A delivery system for a self-expandable prosthesis includes a catheter having a distal portion and a proximal portion, a balloon portion positioned on the distal portion, and a self expanding medical device positioned about the balloon portion. The medical device has a compressed state and an expanded state. A sheath couples the medical device in its compressed state about the balloon portion and has only a single opening in a wall of the sheath. When the balloon is expanded, the sheath is configured to (i) first rupture at the single opening, thereby allowing the medical device to self-expand and engage an inner wall of a vessel, and (ii) controllably continue the rupturing from the single opening to the proximal end of sheath, thereby allowing the medical device to expand to its expanded state and a portion of the medical device to engage an inner wall of the vessel.

Abstract: A valve prosthesis is adapted to operate in conjunction with native heart valve leaflets. The prosthesis includes an annulus and a skirt extending from the annulus. The skirt may be configured to be positioned through a native heart valve annulus, and the skirt may be movable between an open configuration permitting blood flow through the skirt and a closed configuration blocking blood flow through the skirt in cooperation with opening and closing of the native heart valve leaflets.

Abstract: A device for implantation in the body of a subject to divert solid particles from entering branch passageways, particularly useful for diverting emboli from branch blood vessels. The implant device includes an anchoring section for firmly anchoring in the branch blood vessel, and a diverter section projecting into the main blood vessel at the upstream side of the branch blood vessel. The diverter section is constructed to permit blood flow through the main blood vessel but includes an outer surface facing the upstream side of the main blood vessel effective to divert emboli in the blood from entering the branch blood vessel.

Abstract: An implant (300) for repair of a spinal inter-vertebral disc, constituted of a first section and a second section, each having: a support member section (110); a proximal support member secured to the proximal end of the support member section and arranged to extend proximally thereof, the proximal support member (170) arranged in a deployed configuration to distend in the direction of the first face (130) of the support member section (110); and a pair of one inter-annulus support members (170), each of the pair of inter-annulus support members optionally exhibiting a plurality of stacked layers, arranged so as to cooperating under ejection forces to act as a single layer, the support member section of the first section secured to the support member section of the second section such that the second face of the first section faces the second face of the second section.

Abstract: The invention features an intra-vascular device (10) which may include a filter (30), a filter insert (36), and a supporting structure (40) to hold a filtering element and may serve to filter or deflect emboli or other large objects from entering protected secondary vessels. The device may be capable of collapse along its longitudinal axis (80) for ease of delivery to the treatment site. The device may further be compatible with common delivery methods (e.g., TAVI procedures). Upon deployment, the device may be positioned in a middle area of a blood vessel (e.g., an aortic arch) near but not in contact with one or more second blood vessels (e.g., the branch arteries of the aorta). The supporting structure may be capable of pressing against the medial wall of a blood vessel (e.g., the aorta) and provide lift to the device so that a middle portion of the device is above a lateral plane of the device.

Abstract: In general, the invention features an intra-vascular device for filtering or deflecting emboli or other large objects from entering a protected secondary vessel or vessels. The device of the invention may include a filter, an central member, additional supporting members, and a delivery cable and may serve to filter or deflect emboli or other large objects from entering protected secondary vessels. The device may be capable of collapse along its longitudinal axis for ease of delivery to the treatment site. The device may further be compatible with common delivery methods used in interventional cardiology (e.g., TAVI procedures). The device may be integrated into the delivery systems. In other embodiments the device may be detachable from the delivery system. Upon deployment, the device may be positioned so as to contact the orifice of one or more secondary blood vessels. Upon retrieval the device may be retracted in an orientation substantially similar to the original deployment orientation.

Abstract: A valve prosthesis is adapted to operate in conjunction with native heart valve leaflets. The prosthesis includes an annulus and a skirt extending from the annulus. The skirt may be configured to be positioned through a native heart valve annulus, and the skirt may be movable between an open configuration permitting blood flow through the skirt and a closed configuration blocking blood flow through the skirt in cooperation with opening and closing of the native heart valve leaflets.

Abstract: An implant (10) arranged as a tubular member (20) with a longitudinal axis (80). The tubular member exhibits a proximal end (100) and a distal end (110), the distal end arranged to extend to within the inner region of an annulus. Inter-annulus support members (30) are arranged radially about the tubular member, and connected proximally of the distal end, thus defining an axial support member (120) between the connection to the tubular member and the distal end. Proximal securing members are further provided arranged radially about the tubular member and removed proximally from the connection point of the inter-annulus support members. The inter-annulus support members are connected to the axial support member such that ejection forces are opposed by a concavingly curved link member between the axial support member and the inter-annulus support members.

Abstract: A stent graft provides for a fenestration to be created by a side branch fenestration creation device. A kit comprises a side branch fenestration creation device and a stent graft in which a fenestration may be created thereby.

Abstract: A device implantable into a blood vessel having a filter to prevent particles from passing into a blood vessel, and having bows extending from a horizontal plain of the device, such bows to hold such device in place in a blood vessel.

Abstract: A device for implantation in the body of a subject to divert solid particles from entering branch passageways, particularly useful for diverting emboli from branch blood vessels. The implant device includes an anchoring section for firmly anchoring in the branch blood vessel, and a diverter section projecting into the main blood vessel at the upstream side of the branch blood vessel. The diverter section is constructed to permit blood flow through the main blood vessel but includes an outer surface facing the upstream side of the main blood vessel effective to divert emboli in the blood from entering the branch blood vessel.

Abstract: A device implantable into a blood vessel having a filter to prevent particles from passing into a blood vessel, and having bows extending from a horizontal plain of the device, such bows to hold such device in place in a blood vessel.

Abstract: An intravascular platform for supporting an intravascular device includes two loops of wire each configured to assume a shape lying generally on a virtual cylinder of given diameter. The two loops are interconnected by at least one connecting wire which maintains the loops axially spaced from each other. Also disclosed are axially-extended loop forms, and associated intravascular devices.

Abstract: A valve prosthesis is adapted to operate in conjunction with native heart valve leaflets. The prosthesis includes an annulus and a skirt extending from the annulus. The skirt may be configured to be positioned through a native heart valve annulus, and the skirt may be movable between an open configuration permitting blood flow through the skirt and a closed configuration blocking blood flow through the skirt in cooperation with opening and closing of the native heart valve leaflets.

Abstract: A semi-retrievable intravascular filter (100) for deployment within a vessel (108) includes a support structure (104) for deployment around an internal surface of the vessel (108) and a filter structure (102) supported by interconnection with the support structure (104). The filter structure (102) is connected to the support structure (104) so as to be selectively detachable so as to facilitate removal of the filter structure (102) without the support structure (104). Also described are various retrieval systems for retrievable or semi-retrievable intravascular devices, and intravascular filter structures.

Abstract: A device for implantation in the body of a subject to divert solid particles from entering branch passageways, particularly useful for diverting emboli from branch blood vessels. The implant device includes an anchoring section for firmly anchoring in the branch blood vessel, and a diverter section projecting into the main blood vessel at the upstream side of the branch blood vessel. The diverter section is constructed to permit blood flow through the main blood vessel but includes an outer surface facing the upstream side of the main blood vessel effective to divert emboli in the blood from entering the branch blood vessel.

Abstract: A device implantable into a blood vessel having a filter to prevent particles from passing into a blood vessel, and having bows extending from a horizontal plain of the device, such bows to hold such device in place in a blood vessel.

Abstract: An intravascular platform for supporting an intravascular device includes two loops of wire each configured to assume a shape lying generally on a virtual cylinder of given diameter. The two loops are interconnected by at least one connecting wire which maintains the loops axially spaced from each other. Also disclosed are axially-extended loop forms, and associated intravascular devices.

Abstract: An intravascular platform for supporting an intravascular device includes two loops of wire each configured to assume a shape lying generally on a virtual cylinder of given diameter. The two loops are interconnected by at least one connecting wire which maintains the loops axially spaced from each other. Also disclosed are axially-extended loop forms, and associated intravascular devices.