Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for use in the perfusion of organs and anatomical regions. In one aspect the present method provides a percutaneously deliverable device for supporting a vessel in a human or animal subject including means for supporting the vessel during delivery of a fluid thereto or collection of a fluid therefrom. In another aspect the invention provides a method for delivery or collection of a fluid to or from an organ or anatomical region in a human or animal subject, the method including the step of supporting a vessel associated with the organ or anatomical region. The devices and methods may be used to deliver, remove or recirculate a therapeutic agent to an organ or anatomical region.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for use in the perfusion of organs and anatomical regions. In one aspect the present method provides a percutaneously deliverable device for supporting a vessel in a human or animal subject including means for supporting the vessel during delivery of a fluid thereto or collection of a fluid therefrom. In another aspect the invention provides a method for delivery or collection of a fluid to or from an organ or anatomical region in a human or animal subject, the method including the step of supporting a vessel associated with the organ or anatomical region. The devices and methods may be used to deliver, remove or recirculate a therapeutic agent to an organ or anatomical region.

Abstract: In a method for substantially isolating cardiac circulation from systemic circulation, flow between the coronary sinus and the right atrium is occluded. A venous collection device having a collection lumen and a support structure is located in the coronary sinus. The support structure is used to maintain patency of the coronary sinus during collection of fluid through the collection lumen. An artificial flow path is provided between the collection lumen and the one or more coronary arteries, thus isolating the cardiac circulation. According to the method, cardiac pumping for systemic circulation can be maintained during isolation of the cardiac circulation.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for use in the perfusion of organs and anatomical regions. In one aspect the present method provides a percutaneously deliverable device for supporting a vessel in a human or animal subject including means for supporting the vessel during delivery of a fluid thereto or collection of a fluid therefrom. In another aspect the invention provides a method for delivery or collection of a fluid to or from an organ or anatomical region in a human or animal subject, the method including the step of supporting a vessel associated with the organ or anatomical region. The devices and methods may be used to deliver, remove or recirculate a therapeutic agent to an organ or anatomical region.

Abstract: A cardiac support device comprising a jacket of flexible and biocompatible material having a first axis for alignment generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of a patient's heart and a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. The material exhibits an amount of expansion in response to a force applied to the material along the first axis that is different than an amount of expansion in response to the force applied to the material along the second axis.

Abstract: A cardiac support device comprising a jacket of flexible and biocompatible material having a first axis for alignment generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of a patient's heart and a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. The material exhibits an amount of expansion in response to a force applied to the material along the first axis that is different than an amount of expansion in response to the force applied to the material along the second axis.

Abstract: A device (1) for treating valve failure in a patient is provided. The device has one or more engaging zones (3) for engaging the device with the annulus of the valve being treated. The device also has pre-disposition means for changing the geometry of the device to a predetermined configuration which is suitable for constricting the valve annulus. The device is compressible for percutaneous delivery to the valve. When in the predetermined configuration, the engaged device constricts the valve annulus facilitating substantial closure of leaflets of the valve.

Abstract: A jacket of biological compatible material has an internal volume dimensioned for an apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket has a longitudinal dimension between upper and lower ends sufficient for the jacket to surround a lower portion of the heart with the jacket surrounding a valvular annulus of the heart and further surrounding the lower portion to cover at least the ventricular lower extremities of the heart. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart with the jacket surrounding at least the valvular annulus and the ventricular lower extremities. The jacket is adjustable on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole.

Abstract: In a method for substantially isolating cardiac circulation from systemic circulation, flow between the coronary sinus and the right atrium is occluded. A venous collection device having a collection lumen and a support structure is located in the coronary sinus. The support structure is used to maintain patency of the coronary sinus during collection of fluid through the collection lumen. An artificial flow path is provided between the collection lumen and the one or more coronary arteries, thus isolating the cardiac circulation. According to the method, cardiac pumping for systemic circulation can be maintained during isolation of the cardiac circulation.

Abstract: A cardiac support device comprising a jacket of flexible and biocompatible material having a first axis for alignment generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of a patient's heart and a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. The material exhibits an amount of expansion in response to a force applied to the material along the first axis that is different than an amount of expansion in response to the force applied to the material along the second axis.

Abstract: A jacket of biological compatible material has an internal volume dimensioned for an apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket has a longitudinal dimension between upper and lower ends sufficient for the jacket to surround a lower portion of the heart with the jacket surrounding a valvular annulus of the heart and further surrounding the lower portion to cover at least the ventricular lower extremities of the heart. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart with the jacket surrounding at least the valvular annulus and the ventricular lower extremities. The jacket is adjustable on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole.

Abstract: A jacket of biological compatible material has an internal volume dimensioned for an apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket has a longitudinal dimension between upper and lower ends sufficient for the jacket to surround a lower portion of the heart with the jacket surrounding a valvular annulus of the heart and further surrounding the lower portion to cover at least the ventricular lower extremities of the heart. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart with the jacket surrounding at least the valvular annulus and the ventricular lower extremities. The jacket is adjustable on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole.

Abstract: A jacket of biological compatible material has an internal volume dimensioned for an apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket has a longitudinal dimension between upper and lower ends sufficient for the jacket to surround a lower portion of the heart with the jacket surrounding a valvular annulus of the heart and further surrounding the lower portion to cover at least the ventricular lower extremities of the heart. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart with the jacket surrounding at least the valvular annulus and the ventricular lower extremities. The jacket is adjustable on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole.

Abstract: A jacket of biological compatible material has an internal volume dimensioned for an apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket has a longitudinal dimension between upper and lower ends sufficient for the jacket to surround a lower portion of the heart with the jacket surrounding a valvular annulus of the heart and further surrounding the lower portion to cover at least the ventricular lower extremities of the heart. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart with the jacket surrounding at least the valvular annulus and the ventricular lower extremities. The jacket is adjustable on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for use in the perfusion of organs and anatomical regions. In one aspect the present method provides a percutaneously deliverable device for supporting a vessel in a human or animal subject including means for supporting the vessel during delivery of a fluid thereto or collection of a fluid therefrom. In another aspect the invention provides a method for delivery or collection of a fluid to or from an organ or anatomical region in a human or animal subject, the method including the step of supporting a vessel associated with the organ or anatomical region. The devices and methods may be used to deliver, remove or recirculate a therapeutic agent to an organ or anatomical region.

Abstract: In a method of treating valvular insufficiency in a patient, a plurality of filaments (2) are used to engage tissue at spaced apart locations of an annulus (1) of the valve being treated. The engaged filaments (2) are drawn inward so as to draw the engaged tissue around the valve annulus (1) inward. The filaments (2) are then secured with the engaged tissue in the drawn-in configuration. Inward drawing of the engaged tissue improves valve function by reducing the valve annulus (1). Alternatively or additionally, anchor means may be used to secure the filaments to a region of robust tissue, thus drawing the engaged tissue toward the anchor means to further improve valve function.

Abstract: A device (1) for treating valve failure in a patient is provided. The device has one or more engaging zones (3) for engaging the device with the annulus of the valve being treated. The device also has pre-disposition means for changing the geometry of the device to a predetermined configuration which is suitable for constricting the valve annulus. The device is compressible for percutaneous delivery to the valve. When in the predetermined configuration, the engaged device constricts the valve annulus facilitating substantial closure of leaflets of the valve.

Abstract: A jacket of biological compatible material has an internal volume dimensioned for an apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket has a longitudinal dimension between upper and lower ends sufficient for the jacket to surround a lower portion of the heart with the jacket surrounding a valvular annulus of the heart and further surrounding the lower portion to cover at least the ventricular lower extremities of the heart. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart with the jacket surrounding at least the valvular annulus and the ventricular lower extremities. The jacket is adjustable on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole.

Abstract: A jacket of biological compatible material has an internal volume dimensioned for an apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket has a longitudinal dimension between upper and lower ends sufficient for the jacket to surround a lower portion of the heart with the jacket surrounding a valvular annulus of the heart and further surrounding the lower portion to cover at least the ventricular lower extremities of the heart. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart with the jacket surrounding at least the valvular annulus and the ventricular lower extremities. The jacket is adjustable on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole.

Abstract: A jacket of biological compatible material has an internal volume dimensioned for an apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket has a longitudinal dimension between upper and lower ends sufficient for the jacket to surround a lower portion of the heart with the jacket surrounding a valvular annulus of the heart and further surrounding the lower portion to cover at least the ventricular lower extremities of the heart. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart with the jacket surrounding at least the valvular annulus and the ventricular lower extremities. The jacket is adjustable on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole.