Abstract: A device for compressing a stent may include a housing extending along a central longitudinal axis, a first threaded member and a second threaded member, a first iris and a second iris, and a compressor element disposed between the second iris and the second threaded member. The first iris includes a first ring extending transverse to the axis and a first plurality of arms extending from the first ring parallel to the axis. The first plurality of arms defines a first central opening and rotation of the first threaded member changes a size of the first central opening. The second iris includes a second ring extending transverse to the axis and a second plurality of arms extending from the second ring parallel to the axis. The second plurality of arms defines a second central opening and rotation of the second threaded member changes a size of the second central opening.

Abstract: A location within a patient may be visualized while reducing potential impact on the patient's anatomy. A contrast media may be injected into a location within the patient's vasculature. The location may be viewed fluoroscopically. At least some of the injected contrast media may be recaptured in order to reduce a quantity of contrast media reaching the patient's anatomy.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering a stent-valve may include an inner shaft including a distal tip, a stent-valve crimped onto the inner shaft, a distal sheath disposed over at least a lower portion of the stent-valve, and a proximal sheath disposed over at least an upper portion of the stent-valve. The distal sheath has a proximal free end with an angled proximal edge defining a short side and a long side of the distal sheath. The proximal sheath is actuatable independently from the distal sheath, and moveable proximally to release the upper portion of the stent-valve. The distal sheath is moveable distally to release the lower portion of the stent-valve. The angled proximal edge releases a first side of the lower portion of the stent-valve before an opposite second side.

Abstract: A balloon catheter inflation device includes at least a first barrel, a first piston, and a second piston. The first barrel has a first end coupled to an outlet chamber with a nozzle, and a second open end. The first piston is slidable within the first barrel and has a first end configured to frictionally engage an inner surface of the first barrel. The first piston is configured to apply a first pressure to fluid within the first barrel and the outlet chamber. The second piston is configured to apply a second pressure to the outlet chamber, where the second pressure is higher than the first pressure.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering a stent-valve may include an inner shaft including a distal tip, a stent-valve crimped onto the inner shaft, a distal sheath disposed over at least a lower portion of the stent-valve, and a proximal sheath disposed over at least an upper portion of the stent-valve. The distal sheath has a proximal free end with an angled proximal edge defining a short side and a long side of the distal sheath. The proximal sheath is actuatable independently from the distal sheath, and moveable proximally to release the upper portion of the stent-valve. The distal sheath is moveable distally to release the lower portion of the stent-valve. The angled proximal edge releases a first side of the lower portion of the stent-valve before an opposite second side.

Abstract: A guidewire may be adapted for delivering a replacement heart valve implant as well as providing pacing to the heart as part of a process of implanting the replacement heart valve implant. The guidewire includes an elongate shaft including a distal section and a proximal section extending proximally from the distal section. The distal section forms a spiral portion that when unconstrained, includes a proximal spiral portion that curves in a direction and defines a plane and a distal spiral portion that extends out of the plane defined by the proximal spiral. One or more electrodes are disposed within the distal section for pacing.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading a heart valve implant in an implant delivery system includes a stent crimping device including a central aperture and at least one radial compression mechanism, and a loading tube including a support structure attached to the loading tube and couplable to the crimping device. A method of loading the implant in the delivery system includes positioning the implant over the delivery system within the central aperture, compressing a distal portion of the implant, translating a distal sheath of the delivery system over the distal portion, translating the crimping device off the delivery system, sliding the loading tube over a proximal portion of the implant, translating the crimping device over the distal sheath and coupling the support structure to the crimping device, positioning a proximal sheath of the delivery system adjacent the crimping device, compressing the proximal portion, and translating the proximal sheath over the proximal portion.

Abstract: A crossing guidewire that is adapted for use in crossing an aortic valve may include a proximal shaft segment, a distal shaft segment including a distal end, and a hinge point disposed between the proximal shaft segment and the distal shaft segment. The hinge point may be adapted to allow the distal shaft segment to pivot relative to the proximal shaft segment when the distal end of the distal shaft segment contacts the aortic valve.

Abstract: An aortic crossing catheter for directing a crossing wire through the aortic valve may include an outer sheath, an inner sheath slidably disposed within the outer sheath, and an expandable member at least partially fixed to the inner sheath and configured to move between a constrained delivery configuration to a radially expanded deployed configuration. Axial movement of the inner and outer sheaths relative one another radially expands the expandable member such that when a crossing wire is inserted through a lumen of the inner sheath, the wire is directed through the aortic valve.

Abstract: A replacement heart valve system may include a replacement heart valve implant comprising an expandable framework configured to shift from a radially collapsed configuration to a radially expanded configuration, and a plurality of valve leaflets disposed within and secured to the framework, and an implant delivery system comprising a handle assembly and an elongate shaft assembly extending distally from the handle assembly. The elongate shaft assembly may include an inner shaft axially secured to the handle assembly, an outer tubular member axially secured to the handle assembly and disposed about the inner shaft, and an implant holding portion. The implant holding portion is configured to constrain the implant in the radially collapsed configuration when the implant holding portion is disposed in a delivery configuration, wherein the implant holding portion is rotatable relative to the outer tubular member.

Abstract: An alignment tool includes a body and a plurality of securement arms extending from the body, each of the plurality of securement arms adapted to releasably secure the alignment tool relative to a loader. The alignment tool includes a plurality of alignment arms extending from the body, each of the plurality of alignment arms including a first end having an alignment slot and an opposing second end including a handle portion, the plurality of alignment arms movable between a closed configuration defining a minimum distance between the first end of each of the plurality of alignment arms and an open configuration defining a maximum distance between the first end of each of the plurality of alignment arms. The plurality of alignment arms are biased into the closed configuration.

Abstract: A device for compressing a stent may include a housing extending along a central longitudinal axis, a first threaded member and a second threaded member, a first iris and a second iris, and a compressor element disposed between the second iris and the second threaded member. The first iris includes a first ring extending transverse to the axis and a first plurality of arms extending from the first ring parallel to the axis. The first plurality of arms defines a first central opening and rotation of the first threaded member changes a size of the first central opening. The second iris includes a second ring extending transverse to the axis and a second plurality of arms extending from the second ring parallel to the axis. The second plurality of arms defines a second central opening and rotation of the second threaded member changes a size of the second central opening.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering a stent-valve may include an inner shaft including a distal tip, a stent-valve crimped onto the inner shaft, a distal sheath disposed over at least a lower portion of the stent-valve, and a proximal sheath disposed over at least an upper portion of the stent-valve. The distal sheath has a proximal free end with an angled proximal edge defining a short side and a long side of the distal sheath. The proximal sheath is actuatable independently from the distal sheath, and moveable proximally to release the upper portion of the stent-valve. The distal sheath is moveable distally to release the lower portion of the stent-valve. The angled proximal edge releases a first side of the lower portion of the stent-valve before an opposite second side.

Abstract: An alignment tool for loading a stent includes a plurality of arms each having a shaft with an engagement region moveable between a first, angled configuration relative to the shaft, and a second, straight configuration, with each engagement region having an inner surface shaped to mate with a stent holder. The alignment tool further includes a lock ring having a lumen configured to receive the plurality of arms, with the lock ring configured to slide over the arms between a first retracted position in which the engagement region of each arm is exposed and allowed to bias into the angled configuration, and a second locked position in which the lock ring extends over at least a portion of the engagement regions and compresses the engagement regions into the straight configuration. The alignment tool may also include a spring configured to bias the lock ring in the locked position.

Abstract: An apparatus for compressing a replacement heart valve implant may include a tubular member having a wall having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a lumen of the tubular member, wherein the inner surface includes a tapered portion having a radially inward taper in a distal direction, and a plurality of flexible arms projecting radially inward from the tapered portion. The plurality of flexible arms may project radially inward from the inner surface at least 50% of a distance from the inner surface to a central longitudinal axis of the tubular member in an unbiased configuration. The plurality of flexible arms may be configured to push a plurality of leaflets of the replacement heart valve implant radially inward as the replacement heart valve implant passes through the tubular member.

Abstract: Example medical device loading devices are disclosed. An example loading device for a stent-valve includes an elongated body having a proximal end region, a distal end region and a lumen extending therein. The loading device also includes a collar coupled to the distal end region of the body, the collar including first end region, a second end region and a lumen extending therein. Further, the loading device includes a first compression assembly coupled to the collar, wherein the first compression assembly is configured to shift between a first position a second position. The loading device also includes a second compression assembly coupled to the collar, wherein the second compression assembly is configured to shift between a third position and a fourth position.