Abstract: A catheter device is described. The device is for implanting an artificial chordae line (14) in the heart. The catheter device comprises: a leaflet anchor (10) for placement in a leaflet (12) of a heart valve, wherein the leaflet anchor (10) is arranged to be coupled to the artificial chordae line (14); and a leaflet anchor deployment mechanism (6, 30, 38) for deploying the leaflet anchor (10), wherein the leaflet anchor deployment mechanism (6, 30, 38) comprises a mechanical gripper device (30, 32, 32?), for grasping the leaflet (12), wherein the gripper device (30, 32, 32?) comprises a leaflet anchor tube 38 for housing the leaflet anchor (10) in a folded configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various soft tissue anchor systems for heart repair; catheter devices for implanting a soft tissue anchor system in heart tissue; methods of implanting soft tissue anchor systems in soft body tissue; and methods of manufacturing soft tissue anchor systems. A soft tissue anchor system (200) for implantation in soft body tissue (12), comprises: a plurality of anchor members (204, 208); and a bridle arrangement comprising a plurality of bridle lines (214?) and a common bridle point (215). Each bridle line (214?) is associated with a respective anchor member (204, 208) and is connected to the common bridle point (215).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various soft tissue anchor systems for heart repair; catheter devices for implanting a soft tissue anchor system in heart tissue; methods of implanting soft tissue anchor systems in soft body tissue; and methods of manufacturing soft tissue anchor systems. A soft tissue anchor system (200) for implantation in soft body tissue (12) to hold an artificial line (214) comprises: a U-shaped fabric body (201) comprising a base portion (202) and at least two arm portions (204) extending from the base portion (202); wherein each arm portion (204) is configured to collapse in folds towards the base portion (202) such that, in use, the body tissue (12) is sandwiched between the base portion (202) and each of the arm portions (204).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various soft tissue anchor systems for heart repair; catheter devices for implanting a soft tissue anchor system in heart tissue; methods of implanting soft tissue anchor systems in soft body tissue; and methods of manufacturing soft tissue anchor systems. The soft tissue anchor system (200) comprises a line (214?) and a tubular cap member (208). An end of the line (214?) is fixed to the tubular cap member (208) and extends from a central portion thereof such that, in use, the tubular cap member (208) is configured to extend in a plane parallel to a surface (12b) of the soft body tissue (12) when implanted in the soft body tissue (12) and under tension of the line (214?) when it is passing through the tissue (12) in a direction away from the surface (12b) thereof. The tubular cap member (208) comprises an opening (210) configured to receive a wire guide member (218) for passing the tubular cap member (208) through the soft body tissue (12) during implantation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various soft tissue anchor systems for heart repair; catheter devices for implanting a soft tissue anchor system in heart tissue; methods of implanting soft tissue anchor systems in soft body tissue; and methods of manufacturing soft tissue anchor systems. A catheter device (102) for implanting a soft tissue anchor system in heart tissue comprises: a housing section, wherein the housing section extends from a distal end of the catheter device along the length of the catheter device toward a proximal end of the catheter device; a soft tissue anchor system (200) comprising a plurality of anchor members (208); and a deployment system (300) configured to simultaneously implant each of the anchor members (208) in the heart tissue.

Abstract: Multi-electrode ablation systems, methods, and controllers are described. In one example, a method of beginning an ablation procedure using a multi-electrode ablation system is described. The method includes selectively coupling the output of a power supply to a first electrode of a plurality of electrodes to increase a temperature at the first electrode to a first temperature set-point and limit a rate of increase of the temperature at the first electrode to a predetermined first rate.

Abstract: Multi-electrode ablation systems, methods, and controllers are described. In one example, a method of beginning an ablation procedure using a multi-electrode ablation system is described. The method includes selectively coupling the output of a power supply to a first electrode of a plurality of electrodes to increase a temperature at the first electrode to a first temperature set-point and limit a rate of increase of the temperature at the first electrode to a predetermined first rate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catheter device (2) for implanting a leaflet anchor (10) and a papillary anchor (9) into the heart as part of a procedure for implanting an artificial chordae line (14) that extends between the leaflet anchor (10) and the papillary anchor (9), the catheter device (2) comprising: a two-part housing section extending from a distal end (8) of the catheter device (2) along the length of the catheter device (2) toward the proximal end (4) of the catheter device (2), the two-part housing section being arranged to be placed between the papillary muscle and a leaflet (12) of the heart during use of the catheter device (2), and the two-part housing section comprising a distal part (8) at the distal end of the catheter device (2) and a proximal part (4) located on the proximal side of the distal part (8); a leaflet anchor deployment mechanism at the proximal part (4) of the housing section for deploying a leaflet anchor (10) for attachment to the leaflet (12) of the heart; a papillary anchor deplo

Abstract: A catheter device is described. The device is for implanting an artificial chordae line (14) in the heart. The catheter device comprises: a leaflet anchor (10) for placement in a leaflet (12) of a heart valve, wherein the leaflet anchor (10) is arranged to be coupled to the artificial chordae line (14); and a leaflet anchor deployment mechanism (6, 30, 38) for deploying the leaflet anchor (10), wherein the leaflet anchor deployment mechanism (6, 30, 38) comprises a mechanical gripper device (30, 32, 32?), for grasping the leaflet (12), wherein the gripper device (30, 32, 32?) comprises a leaflet anchor tube 38 for housing the leaflet anchor (10) in a folded configuration.

Abstract: Multi-electrode ablation systems, methods, and controllers are described. In one example, a method of beginning an ablation procedure using a multi-electrode ablation system is described. The method includes selectively coupling the output of a power supply to a first electrode of a plurality of electrodes to increase a temperature at the first electrode to a first temperature set-point and limit a rate of increase of the temperature at the first electrode to a predetermined first rate.

Abstract: Multi-electrode ablation systems, methods, and controllers are described. In one example, a method of beginning an ablation procedure using a multi-electrode ablation system is described. The method includes selectively coupling the output of a power supply to a first electrode of a plurality of electrodes to increase a temperature at the first electrode to a first temperature set-point and limit a rate of increase of the temperature at the first electrode to a predetermined first rate.

Abstract: Multi-electrode ablation systems, methods, and controllers are described. In one example, a multi-electrode ablation system includes a power supply configured to be coupled to a plurality of electrodes and a controller coupled to the power supply. The controller is configured to determine a thermal gain of each electrode of the plurality of electrodes. For each electrode of the plurality of electrodes, the controller sets a power limit based at least in part on said electrode's determined thermal gain. The power limit establishes a maximum power that may be dissipated through said electrode.

Abstract: Multi-electrode ablation systems, methods, and controllers are described. In one example, a multi-electrode ablation system includes a power supply configured to be coupled to a plurality of electrodes and a controller coupled to the power supply. The controller is configured to determine a thermal gain of each electrode of the plurality of electrodes. For each electrode of the plurality of electrodes, the controller sets a power limit based at least in part on said electrode's determined thermal gain. The power limit establishes a maximum power that may be dissipated through said electrode.

Abstract: Multi-electrode ablation systems, methods, and controllers are described. In one example, a multi-electrode ablation system includes a power supply configured to be coupled to a plurality of electrodes and a controller coupled to the power supply. The controller is configured to determine a thermal gain of each electrode of the plurality of electrodes. For each electrode of the plurality of electrodes, the controller sets a power limit based at least in part on said electrode's determined thermal gain. The power limit establishes a maximum power that may be dissipated through said electrode.

Abstract: Multi-electrode ablation systems, methods, and controllers are described. In one example, a method of beginning an ablation procedure using a multi-electrode ablation system is described. The method includes selectively coupling the output of a power supply to a first electrode of a plurality of electrodes to increase a temperature at the first electrode to a first temperature set-point and limit a rate of increase of the temperature at the first electrode to a predetermined first rate.

Abstract: Multi-electrode ablation systems, methods, and controllers are described. In one example, a method of beginning an ablation procedure using a multi-electrode ablation system is described. The method includes selectively coupling the output of a power supply to a first electrode of a plurality of electrodes to increase a temperature at the first electrode to a first temperature set-point and limit a rate of increase of the temperature at the first electrode to a predetermined first rate.