Abstract: Implementations described herein are directed to a tool (e.g., a delivery tool) for surgically delivering, applying, and locking multiple suture locks – e.g., to secure multiple sutures. Each suture lock comprises a first lock piece and a second lock piece. Each suture lock can be transported individually from a storage zone at the tool’s proximal portion, via a multi-shaft system, to the tool’s distal portion, where the suture locks are sequentially secured to respective sutures. In some implementations, each suture lock’s first and second lock pieces are advanced distally to the distal portion, where the suture lock is secured to the suture by engaging the first lock piece with the second lock piece. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A tissue anchor includes a sharp tissue-engaging element and a driving interface which is fixed with respect to the tissue-engaging element. A tube has a blunt cap reversibly attached to and covering a distal end of the tube, and is transluminally advanceable in a distal direction toward an anatomical site within a subject. A driver, while engaged with the driving interface of the tissue anchor, is configured to drive the tissue-engaging element through the blunt cap and into tissue at the anatomical site, such that the blunt cap becomes an anchor-head of the tissue anchor, secured to the tissue by the tissue-engaging element. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus, usable with a valve disposed between an atrium and a ventricle of a heart, the valve having a first leaflet (S) and at least one opposing leaflet (A,P). The apparatus comprises an augmenter (700) that comprises a flexible pouch (710) and an anchor (780). The pouch has an external surface, an interior, an outside, and a downstream opening that provides fluid communication between the interior and the outside of the pouch. The anchor is coupled to the pouch, and configured to anchor the pouch to the lip of the first leaflet by the anchor being anchored to the first leaflet. The anchoring is such that the downstream opening opens into the ventricle. Responsively to ventricular systole, the pouch inflates via the downstream opening, and the external surface coapts against the opposing leaflet(s).

Abstract: A catheter device includes a flexible tube and an extracorporeal unit. The tube has a distal opening that is configured to be transluminally advanced into a subject, and a proximal end. The extracorporeal unit is coupled to the proximal end, and includes (i) a body, and (ii) a series of cartridges, distributed along a proximal-distal axis of the body, with a distalmost cartridge being closest to the proximal end of the tube. A series of anchors includes a leading anchor and other anchors, each anchor being (i) housed by a corresponding cartridge, with the leading anchor housed by the distalmost cartridge, and (ii) coupled to a tether such that the tether extends along the body, parallel with the proximal-distal axis. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Devices are configured to be positioned within a native heart valve to impede regurgitation through the native heart valve. The devices can include one or more of an expandable coaptation element and/or an extension or blocking member. The expandable coaptation elements can be adjustable in size, shape, or both to control the area of the native heart valve that is filled by the coaptation element. The expandable coaptation elements, extensions, and/or blocking members can be positioned in the native heart valve, such that regurgitant blood flow is blocked or impeded.

Abstract: An implant (150) comprises a patch (210), a patch anchor (240), a downstream assembly (300) comprising a winch (320) coupled to a winch anchor (310), and a tether (160) tethering the winch to the patch. A delivery tool (400) has a distal portion that is transluminally advanceable to a heart while the implant is mounted on the delivery tool. The delivery tool has a shaft, a clasp (430), comprising an upstream support and a downstream support, the clasp configured to grasp a portion of a leaflet of a valve of the heart between the upstream support and the downstream support of the clasp, and a driver, configured to anchor the patch to the portion of the leaflet using the patch anchor while the portion of the leaflet remains grasped by the clasp. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and/or methods can provide compliance characteristics to fluid vessels. For example, an implant device can be advanced to a target site in a fluid vessel, such as an aorta. The implant device can include a first anchoring element, a second anchoring element, and/or a torsion element coupled between the first anchoring element and the second anchoring element. The first and/or second anchoring element of the implant device can be deployed at the target site. In one example, the implant device can be used to bias an aorta toward a twisted state for mimicking a healthy aorta and thereby improving blood flow therethrough.

Abstract: A method for use in the manufacture of a medical implant is provided. A sandwich is formed, the sandwich including a fabric layer; a coating layer comprising a polymer configured to inhibit tissue growth thereon; a binding layer sandwiched between the fabric layer and the coating layer; and at least part of a frame sandwiched between the fabric layer and the binding layer. The sandwich is heated and compressed such that the binding layer binds the fabric layer to the coating layer. Holes are then formed through the sandwich. Other implementations are also described.

Abstract: A device or implant is configured to be positioned within a native heart valve to allow the native heart valve to form a more effective seal. One or more portions of device or implant can expand and contract. For example, one or more portions of the device or implant can narrow during delivery and expand on implantation on the native heart valve. Delivery systems are configured to narrow and expand the one or more portions of the device or implant.

Abstract: A catheter device includes a tube that has a distal opening that is configured to be transluminally advanced into the subject; and an extracorporeal unit that is coupled to a proximal end of the tube. A series of cartridges is arranged along the extracorporeal unit, each of the cartridges having an initial position in which the cartridge holds a respective anchor. Each of the cartridges is, moveable from the initial position to a deployment position while remaining coupled to the extracorporeal unit. A driver is configured to, for each of the anchors, sequentially, while the respective cartridge is in the deployment position, move the anchor out of the respective cartridge and through the tube toward the distal opening. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An implant comprises a leaflet-augmentation patch, a patch anchor, and a cord. The patch comprises a flexible sheet, and a frame that supports the flexible sheet. The frame defines a spring configured to tension the cord. The cord couples the patch anchor to the patch in a manner in which anchoring the patch anchor to a first leaflet of a heart valve of a subject positions the patch to coapt with a second leaflet of the valve during ventricular systole. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A catheter device includes a tube, and an extracorporeal unit coupled to a proximal end of the tube. An implant includes a series of anchors and a tether. The series of anchors includes a first anchor and other anchors, arranged along the extracorporeal unit. Each of the anchors includes a tissue-engaging element, and a head that defines an eyelet. The tether extends, along the extracorporeal unit, through the eyelet of each of the other anchors to the first anchor such that (i) the first anchor is advanceable, with a distal end of the tether, distally into and through the tube toward the tissue, and (ii) subsequently, the other anchors are slidable, sequentially, over and along the tether, distally into and through the tube toward the first anchor. Other applications are also described.