Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for repairing or replacing a defective cardiac valve including an anchor having a double helix configured to engage the cardiac valve leaflets of a diseased or defective cardiac valve, and a replacement valve body disposed in an expandable stent configured to be disposed within the anchor so that the anchor limits expansion of the expandable stent. The expandable stent of the replacement valve body may be self-expanding or mechanically expanded, e.g., using a balloon catheter or catheter-based mandrel and the valve body may be formed of animal tissue or a synthetic fabric.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for the sequential intranasal administration of at least one active ingredient selected from a DR group having at least one side effect of respiratory depression and at least one active ingredient selected from an ADR group that counteracts the respiratory depression that may be induced by the active ingredients of the DR group. The invention also relates to a portable sequential intranasal administration device comprising an intranasal administration system according to the principles of the invention.

Abstract: Implants formed by a helically wound wire and methods of using same for the treatment of a mitral heart valve. According to the invention, it has dimensions such that it is able to be screwed into the wall of the annulus and/or into the cardiac wall adjoining the annulus such that a portion of the annulus and/or of the wall is located in the perimeter of the implant; and it comprises at least one first coil able, during said screwing of the implant, to insert itself into the wall while having a first dimension and at least one second coil having a second dimension, or adopting this second dimension after implantation, the second dimension being smaller than the first dimension such that the implant, once inserted, enables contraction of the wall portion located in the perimeter of the implant.

Abstract: Provided is a surgical instrument including an external tube (2) and two elongated members (4) positioned in the tube (2), each of which includes a distal end (10a) for capturing one of the two tissue zones (M1, M2) to be attached. The instrument (1) may further include a catching member (22, 25) for each tissue (M1, M2) to be attached; a rod (15, 16) linked to each catching member (22, 25) enabling tension to move axially, the rod (15, 16) being separable from said catching member (22, 25) when a tension is exerted on it beyond a certain threshold; and a member (17a) forming a stop for locking axially each catching member (22, 25) during the tensioning.

Abstract: Devices and methods for sequential aerosolized administration of pharmaceutical agents. A portable device may be used to administer an initial dose of an active formulation comprising at least one first pharmaceutical agent and a subsequent dose of an active formulation comprising at least one second pharmaceutical agent that may have the effect of countering, enhancing, or mitigating the first pharmaceutical agent.

Abstract: Provided is a surgical instrument including an external tube (2) and two elongated members (4) positioned in the tube (2), each of which includes a distal end (10a) for capturing one of the two tissue zones (M1, M2) to be attached. The instrument (1) may further include a catching member (22, 25) for each tissue (M1, M2) to be attached; a rod (15, 16) linked to each catching member (22, 25) enabling tension to move axially, the rod (15, 16) being separable from said catching member (22, 25) when a tension is exerted on it beyond a certain threshold; and a member (17a) forming a stop for locking axially each catching member (22, 25) during the tensioning.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for repairing a cardiac valve, e.g., a mitral valve, are provided. The apparatus may include an expandable frame defining a curved structure in the expanded deployed state and a membrane coupled to the expandable frame. The membrane may curve around a native leaflet, e.g., the posterior leaflet, in a first plane and curve around another leaflet, e.g., the anterior leaflet, in an orthogonal plane. The membrane may be adapted to be suspended in the flow path of the cardiac valve such a first surface of the membrane abuts the native leaflet during systole and a second surface of the membrane abuts the other native leaflet during systole, thereby reducing cardiac valve regurgitation.

Abstract: A device (1) includes at least an inflatable balloon (2), an implantable port (2A), and a conduit (3) intended for connecting the balloon (2) and the implantable port in a sealed manner. The balloon (2), the port (2A), and the conduit (3) are filled with a gas, and the pressure is such that the balloon (1) is normally inflated but is capable of being compressed during systole. A catheter (5) slidingly carries the balloon (2) in a deflated condition. At least one anchoring member (6) is connected to an actuating wire (7) which is slidable in the catheter independently of the balloon (2). The conduit (3) and said actuating wire (7) are connected to the catheter (5) to either prevent or allow sliding of this conduit and of this actuating wire relative to the catheter (5).

Abstract: A device for treating pulmonary hypertension includes an inflatable balloon structure (1), an implantable port (9), and a conduit (2) connecting the balloon (1) and the implantable port in a sealed manner. The balloon, the port and the conduit are filled with a gas, and the pressure is such that the balloon (1) is normally inflated but is capable of being compressed during systole. The inflatable balloon (1) has first and second segments sized to extend into the left branch and the right branch of the pulmonary artery bifurcation respectively. The conduit (2) may connected in a T-junction to a middle portion of the balloon (1) or may be bifurcated into first and second branches (12a,12b) which are connected to the first and second balloon segments (13a,13b), respectively. The device may also have guide tubes opening at the longitudinal ends of the balloon (1) and guide wires (4, 6) engaged and capable of sliding in said guide tubes.

Abstract: Implants formed by a helically wound wire and methods of using same for the treatment of a mitral heart valve. According to the invention, it has dimensions such that it is able to be screwed into the wall of the annulus and/or into the cardiac wall adjoining the annulus such that a portion of the annulus and/or of the wall is located in the perimeter of the implant; and it comprises at least one first coil able, during said screwing of the implant, to insert itself into the wall while having a first dimension and at least one second coil having a second dimension, or adopting this second dimension after implantation, the second dimension being smaller than the first dimension such that the implant, once inserted, enables contraction of the wall portion located in the perimeter of the implant.

Abstract: Methods for delivering a prosthetic heart valve include advancing a delivery catheter containing the prosthetic heart valve to a deployment native heart valve, advancing an inner core movably coupled to a restraining sheath of the delivery catheter to expose a first end of the prosthetic heart valve, and advancing the inner core and the restraining to expose a second end of the prosthetic heart valve. The delivery catheter can include a distal flange located at a distal end of an outer core of the catheter body, configured to restrict distal longitudinal displacement of the prosthetic heart valve, and a retaining structure located proximally from the distal flange along the outer core of the catheter body, configured to restrict proximal longitudinal displacement of the prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: This implant (1) is formed by a helically wound wire (2). According to the invention, it has dimensions such that it is able to be screwed into the wall of the annulus (103) and/or into the cardiac wall (101) adjoining this annulus (103) such that a portion of said annulus (103) and/or of said wall (101) is located in the perimeter of the implant (1); and it comprises at least one first coil able, during said screwing of the implant (1), to insert itself into said wall while having a first dimension and at least one second coil having a second dimension, or adopting this second dimension after implantation, said second dimension being smaller than the first dimension such that the implant (1), once inserted, enables contraction of said wall portion located in the perimeter of this implant (1).

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve assembly includes a radially expandable frame including an inflow portion and a second portion. The inflow portion is configured, in an expanded state, to bear against a native cardiac annulus in a manner so as to resist migration. The second portion extends from the inflow zone in an outflow direction, and is configured, in an expanded state, not to bear against the native cardiac annulus and an ascending aorta. The valve assembly also includes a prosthetic valve coupled to the frame substantially within the second portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stent that is useful for treating a vascular bifurcation, the stent having a plurality of segments extending coaxially end to end along a longitudinal axis of the stent from a first end to a second end of the stent, each segment having a plurality of struts extending in a zig-zag pattern around the circumference of the stent, wherein the stent is expandable from reduced diameter to an expanded diameter, the second end of the stent having a larger diameter than the first end when expanded; and an eyelet integrally formed with the segment positioned adjacent the second end, and configured to receive a radiopaque marker therein. The stent provides an improvement over prior stents for treating a vascular bifurcation by allowing the stent to be deployed in the widened transitional zone of a bifurcation such that the second end of the stent is accurately positioned at the carina.

Abstract: A device (1) includes at least an inflatable balloon (2), an implantable port (2A), and a conduit (3) intended for connecting the balloon (2) and the implantable port in a sealed manner. The balloon (2), the port (2A), and the conduit (3) are filled with a gas, and the pressure is such that the balloon (1) is normally inflated but is capable of being compressed during systole. A catheter (5) slidingly carries the balloon (2) in a deflated condition. At least one anchoring member (6) is connected to an actuating wire (7) which is slidable in the catheter independently of the balloon (2). The conduit (3) and said actuating wire (7) are connected to the catheter (5) to either prevent or allow sliding of this conduit and of this actuating wire relative to the catheter (5).

Abstract: A device for treating pulmonary hypertension includes an inflatable balloon structure (1), an implantable port (9), and a conduit (2) connecting the balloon (1) and the implantable port in a sealed manner. The balloon, the port and the conduit are filled with a gas, and the pressure is such that the balloon (1) is normally inflated but is capable of being compressed during systole. The inflatable balloon (1) has first and second segments sized to extend into the left branch and the right branch of the pulmonary artery bifurcation respectively. The conduit (2) may connected in a T-junction to a middle portion of the balloon (1) or may be bifurcated into first and second branches (12a,12b) which are connected to the first and second balloon segments (13a,13b), respectively. The device may also have guide tubes opening at the longitudinal ends of the balloon (1) and guide wires (4, 6) engaged and capable of sliding in said guide tubes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for repairing or replacing a defective cardiac valve including a prosthetic leaflet assembly having an expandable frame with one or more anchors configured to engage a predetermined region of the defective cardiac valve in an expanded deployed state, and at least one prosthetic leaflet coupled to the expandable frame. The prosthetic leaflet assembly is configured such that the prosthetic leaflet is suspended within a flow path of the defective cardiac valve and coapts with, and improves functioning of, one or more native leaflets of the defective cardiac valve.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve assembly for use in replacing a deficient native valve comprises a replacement valve supported on an expandable valve support. If desired, one or more anchor may be used. The valve support, which entirely supports the valve annulus, valve leaflets, and valve commissure points, is configured to be collapsible for transluminal delivery and expandable to contact the anatomical annulus of the native valve when the assembly is properly positioned. The anchor engages the lumen wall when expanded and prevents substantial migration of the valve assembly when positioned in place. The prosthetic valve assembly is compressible about a catheter, and restrained from expanding by an outer sheath. The catheter may be inserted inside a lumen within the body, such as the femoral artery, and delivered to a desired location, such as the heart.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve comprises a biological tissue valve and a collapsible and expandable support frame having a longitudinal axis. The frame comprises an outflow circumferential structure defining an outflow end of the frame and consisting essentially of a single row of diamond-shaded expandable cells. The frame also comprises three V-shaped structures spaced apart from the outflow circumferential structure and three struts longitudinally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the frame. The three struts are configured to facilitate mounting the biological tissue valve to the frame and interconnect the outflow circumferential structure to the three V-shaped structures. The frame also includes three undulating structures, each of the three undulating structures interconnecting respective adjacent V-shaped structures of the three V-shaped structures.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve assembly for use in replacing a deficient native valve comprises a replacement valve supported on an expandable valve support. If desired, one or more anchor may be used. The valve support, which entirely supports the valve annulus, valve leaflets, and valve commissure points, is configured to be collapsible for transluminal delivery and expandable to contact the anatomical annulus of the native valve when the assembly is properly positioned. The anchor engages the lumen wall when expanded and prevents substantial migration of the valve assembly when positioned in place. The prosthetic valve assembly is compressible about a catheter, and restrained from expanding by an outer sheath. The catheter may be inserted inside a lumen within the body, such as the femoral artery, and delivered to a desired location, such as the heart.