Abstract: A device, a kit and a method is presented for permanently augmenting the pump function of the left heart. The mitral valve plane is assisted in a movement along the left ventricular long axis during each heart cycle. The very close relationship between the coronary sinus and the mitral valve is used by various embodiments of a medical device providing this assisted movement. By means of catheter technique an implant is inserted into the coronary sinus, the device is augmenting the up and down movement of the mitral valve and thereby increasing the left ventricular diastolic filling when moving upwards and the piston effect of the closed mitral valve when moving downwards.

Abstract: A device, a kit and a method are presented for permanently augmenting the pump function of the left heart. The basis for the presented innovation is an augmentation of the physiologically up and down movement of the mitral valve during each heart cycle. By means of catheter technique, minimal surgery, or open heart surgery implants are inserted into the left ventricle, the mitral valve annulus, the left atrium and adjacent tissue in order to augment the natural up and down movement of the mitral valve and thereby increasing the left ventricular diastolic filling and the piston effect of the closed mitral valve when moving towards the apex of said heart in systole and/or away from said apex in diastole.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for transcatheter delivery is disclosed including: an anchor unit configured to be permanently anchored at a cardiac valve of a patient. At least one locking unit is provided for fixation of tissue of the cardiac valve and/or fixation of at least a part of a shape of the anchor unit and/or for connection to a further unit via the at least one coupling unit. The further unit is preferably a cardiac valve replacement or repair unit and/or a driving unit such as of a cardiac assist device. The device further includes at least one coupling unit of fixed permanent length or non-reversibly adjustable length before locking the coupling unit to the fixed permanent length for connecting the anchor unit to at least one of the locking unit. The coupling unit has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is connectable to the anchor unit, and the second end portion includes the locking unit.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for transcatheter delivery is disclosed including: an anchor unit configured to be permanently anchored at a cardiac valve of a patient. At least one locking unit is provided for fixation of tissue of the cardiac valve and/or fixation of at least a part of a shape of the anchor unit and/or for connection to a further unit via the at least one coupling unit. The further unit is preferably a cardiac valve replacement or repair unit and/or a driving unit such as of a cardiac assist device. The device further includes at least one coupling unit of fixed permanent length or non-reversibly adjustable length before locking the coupling unit to the fixed permanent length for connecting the anchor unit to at least one of the locking unit. The coupling unit has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is connectable to the anchor unit, and the second end portion includes the locking unit.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for transcatheter delivery is disclosed including: an anchor unit configured to be permanently anchored at a cardiac valve of a patient. At least one locking unit is provided for fixation of tissue of the cardiac valve and/or fixation of at least a part of a shape of the anchor unit and/or for connection to a further unit via the at least one coupling unit. The further unit is preferably a cardiac valve replacement or repair unit and/or a driving unit such as of a cardiac assist device. The device further includes at least one coupling unit of fixed permanent length or non-reversibly adjustable length before locking the coupling unit to the fixed permanent length for connecting the anchor unit to at least one of the locking unit. The coupling unit has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is connectable to the anchor unit, and the second end portion includes the locking unit.

Abstract: A method of treating a defective mitral valve includes inserting a delivery catheter through a small incision in a patient's groin, wherein the delivery catheter has a prosthetic device positioned along a distal end thereof. The prosthetic device includes an insert member and an anchoring member, wherein the insert member is made from a shape memory material and is surrounded by a biocompatible fabric outer layer. The insert member is positioned within a mitral valve and self-expands in a gap between the native leaflets. The anchoring member is attached to surrounding tissue. After deployment of the prosthetic device, the native leaflets of the mitral valve form a tight seal against the biocompatible fabric outer layer and the insert member fills the gap between the native leaflets of the mitral valve for preventing regurgitation during ventricular systole.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is disclosed including an anchor unit configured to be permanently anchored at a cardiac valve of a patient, at least one locking unit, such as for fixation of tissue of the cardiac valve and/or fixation of at least a part of a shape of the anchor unit, and at least one coupling unit for connecting the anchor unit to at least one of the locking unit. The coupling unit has a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion is connectable to the anchor unit, and the second end portion includes the locking unit.

Abstract: An implant for assisting contraction and/or extension of a muscle that includes a stem with an adhesion resistant segment and an anchoring segment wherein at least a portion of each of the adhesion resistant segment and the anchoring segment is configured to be implantable within a muscle and the anchoring segment is positioned on a distal portion of the stem and the adhesion resistant segment is positioned proximally on the stem relative to the anchoring segment.

Abstract: A method of treating a defective mitral valve includes inserting a delivery catheter through a small incision in a patient's groin, wherein the delivery catheter has a prosthetic device positioned along a distal end thereof. The prosthetic device includes an insert member and an anchoring member, wherein the insert member is made from a shape memory material and is surrounded by a biocompatible fabric outer layer. The insert member is positioned within a mitral valve and self-expands in a gap between the native leaflets. The anchoring member is attached to surrounding tissue. After deployment of the prosthetic device, the native leaflets of the mitral valve form a tight seal against the biocompatible fabric outer layer and the insert member fills the gap between the native leaflets of the mitral valve for preventing regurgitation during ventricular systole.

Abstract: A method of treating a defective mitral valve includes percutaneously advancing a prosthetic device into a patient's heart. The prosthetic device includes an insert member and anchoring member. The prosthetic device is contained within a sheath along a distal end of a delivery catheter during advancement. The anchoring member is secured to a muscular wall of the left ventricle and the insert member self-expands between native leaflets of the mitral valve. The insert member preferably includes a biocompatible fabric outer layer, a passageway, and a valve member disposed within the passageway. After deployment, the native leaflets of the mitral valve form a tight seal against the fabric outer layer of the insert member for preventing regurgitation, while blood passes through the passageway of the insert member for allowing blood to pass from the left atrium to the left ventricle.

Abstract: A method of treating a defective mitral valve includes percutaneously advancing a prosthetic device into a patient's heart. The prosthetic device includes an insert member and anchoring member. The prosthetic device is contained within a sheath along a distal end of a delivery catheter during advancement. The anchoring member is secured to a muscular wall of the left ventricle and the insert member self-expands between native leaflets of the mitral valve. The insert member preferably includes a biocompatible fabric outer layer, a passageway, and a valve member disposed within the passageway. After deployment, the native leaflets of the mitral valve form a tight seal against the fabric outer layer of the insert member for preventing regurgitation, while blood passes through the passageway of the insert member for allowing blood to pass from the left atrium to the left ventricle.

Abstract: An at least partial annuloplasty ring for transcatheter cardiac valve treatment is disclosed. The annuloplasty ring has a plurality of separate chain segments serially interlinked and articulated to a chain. The chain has a substantially elongate delivery configuration and a curved deployment configuration. At least one of said chain segments has at least one tissue anchor attached to it, wherein the tissue anchor is movably arranged at least partly within the chain segment in the delivery configuration and protrudes from the chain segment in the deployment configuration in order to anchor with cardiac tissue.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is disclosed including an anchor unit configured to be permanently anchored at a cardiac valve of a patient, at least one locking unit, such as for fixation of tissue of the cardiac valve and/or fixation of at least a part of a shape of the anchor unit, and at least one coupling unit for connecting the anchor unit to at least one of the locking unit. The coupling unit has a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion is connectable to the anchor unit, and the second end portion includes the locking unit.

Abstract: A method for replacing a native heart valve in need thereof comprises delivering to the native heart valve an apparatus comprising a valve member, a connecting member, and an anchor member suitable for anchoring the apparatus. The valve member reversibly moves between an open position and a closed position to augment or replace the function of the native valve leaflets, thereby reducing valve regurgitation. Some embodiments include a stent that is positioned in the native heart valve with the valve member disposed therein.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for treating a mitral valve includes a prosthetic insert member insertable between leaflets of mitral valve. The insert member has an elongated cross-sectional profile for conforming to gap between leaflets of a mitral valve. The device also includes an anchoring member for attachment to heart tissue for maintaining the insert member in the mitral valve. The insert member includes a valve that permits one-way blood flow therethrough. An anchoring member secures the prosthetic insert member to a heart wall.

Abstract: A method for replacing a native heart valve in need thereof comprises delivering to the native heart valve an apparatus comprising a valve member, a connecting member, and an anchor member suitable for anchoring the apparatus. The valve member reversibly moves between an open position and a closed position to augment or replace the function of the native valve leaflets, thereby reducing valve regurgitation. Some embodiments include a stent that is positioned in the native heart valve with the valve member disposed therein.

Abstract: A method of deploying a blood-flow controlling device is described for treating a native mitral or tricuspid valve. The blood-flow controlling device includes a blood-flow blocking portion that is slidable over an elongate body portion. The blood-flow blocking portion is preferably an elongate structure fillable with blood having a portion adapted for placement between leaflets of the native valve. An anchor is located on a distal end of the elongate body portion for engagement with heart tissue adjacent a heart apex. An anchor delivery catheter is advanced through the native valve and into an adjacent ventricle. The anchor is then expelled from the anchor delivery catheter into ventricular tissue. The blood-flow blocking portion is then slid along the elongate body portion and positioned between the native leaflets. A locking catheter is then slid along the elongate body portion for locking the blood-flow blocking portion to the elongate body portion.

Abstract: The invention is a method for reducing regurgitation through a mitral valve. The device and method is directed to an anchor portion for engagement with the heart wall and an expandable valve portion configured for deployment between the mitral valve leaflets. The valve portion is expandable for preventing regurgitation through the mitral valve while allowing blood to circulate through the heart. The expandable valve portion may include apertures for reducing the stagnation of blood. In a preferred configuration, the device is preferably configured to be delivered in two-stages wherein an anchor portion is first delivered and the valve structure is then coupled to the anchor portion. In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of forming an anchor portion wherein a disposable jig is used to mold the anchor portion into a three-dimensional shape for conforming to a heart chamber.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating or repairing a heart are disclosed. The device includes at least one radially expandable tissue-engaging element, an elongate member (e.g., suture) coupled to the expandable element, and a locking mechanism (e.g., locking clip, suture knot). The expandable element may be anchored to heart tissue within the heart, such as in the left ventricle, with the elongate member extending from the expandable element and across a heart chamber to a second location such as the heart apex where the elongate member is held by the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A method for replacing a native heart valve in need thereof comprises delivering to the native heart valve an apparatus comprising a valve member, a connecting member, and an anchor member suitable for anchoring the apparatus. The valve member reversibly moves between an open position and a closed position to augment or replace the function of the native valve leaflets, thereby reducing valve regurgitation. Some embodiments include a stent that is positioned in the native heart valve with the valve member disposed therein.