Abstract: Apparatus, for use at a valve of a heart of a subject, includes a first catheter, a second catheter, and a translation element. The translation element is connected to, and operatively joins, the distal ends of the first catheter and the second catheter. The translation element is operable to translate the distal ends laterally with respect to each other to transition the apparatus between (i) a first state in which the distal ends are held next to each other for transluminal advancement to the heart, and (ii) a second state in which the distal ends are spaced apart from each other for positioning at a first location on the annulus and a second location on the annulus, respectively. The apparatus is configured to, while in the second state, from the distal ends, anchor a first tissue anchor at the first location, and a second tissue anchor at the second location.

Abstract: A catheter system including a wire, a translatable catheter, and first and second tethers is introduced into a body of a subject. The translatable catheter has a curved portion proximate a distal end of the translatable catheter. The first tether is coupled to the wire, and passes proximally through the translatable catheter. The second tether is attached to the curved portion. The catheter system is positioned such that the wire is disposed at a first location in the body. While the wire remains at the first location, the translatable catheter is translated away from the wire by manipulating the first tether and the second tether. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A plication lock delivery system that enables a suture lock assembly to be delivered percutaneously. The plication lock delivery system comprises a lock assembly that secures sutures in place, a control assembly that allows a clinician to engage a suture to a suture lock assembly, apply tension to the sutures to cause tissue plication, and deploy the lock assembly, and a catheter assembly. This plication lock delivery system can be used to repair mitral regurgitation percutaneously or in an open-heart surgery.

Abstract: A catheter system including a wire, a translatable catheter, and first and second tethers is introduced into a body of a subject. The translatable catheter has a curved portion proximate a distal end of the translatable catheter. The first tether is coupled to the wire, and passes proximally through the translatable catheter. The second tether is attached to the curved portion. The catheter system is positioned such that the wire is disposed at a first location in the body. While the wire remains at the first location, the translatable catheter is translated away from the wire by manipulating the first tether and the second tether. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The present teachings generally relate to translation catheter systems and method of using thereof in treating defective mitral valves. Specifically, a translation catheter system includes a catheter configured to move substantially laterally along the mitral annulus and the lateral movement of the catheter is substantially continuous and substantially adjustable. Accordingly, a method of using such a translation catheter includes advancing a first wire across the mitral annulus at a first treatment location, delivering a catheter at or near the first treatment location, moving the catheter substantially laterally to a second treatment location, and advancing a second wire across the mitral annulus, where the distance between the first and second treatment locations is substantially adjustable and optionally visualized.

Abstract: A plication lock delivery system that enables a suture lock assembly to be delivered percutaneously. The plication lock delivery system comprises a lock assembly that secures sutures in place, a control assembly that allows a clinician to engage a suture to a suture lock assembly, apply tension to the sutures to cause tissue plication, and deploy the lock assembly, and a catheter assembly. This plication lock delivery system can be used to repair mitral regurgitation percutaneously or in an open-heart surgery.

Abstract: A plication lock delivery system that enables a suture lock assembly to be delivered percutaneouly. The plication lock delivery system comprises a lock assembly that secures sutures in place, a control assembly that allows a clinician to engage a suture to a suture lock assembly, apply tension to the sutures to cause tissue plication, and deploy the lock assembly, and a catheter assembly. This plication lock delivery system can be used to repair mitral regurgitation percutaneouly or in an open-heart surgery.

Abstract: The present teachings generally relate to translation catheter systems and method of using thereof in treating defective mitral valves. Specifically, a translation catheter system includes a catheter configured to move substantially laterally along the mitral annulus and the lateral movement of the catheter is substantially continuous and substantially adjustable. Accordingly, a method of using such a translation catheter includes advancing a first wire across the mitral annulus at a first treatment location, delivering a catheter at or near the first treatment location, moving the catheter substantially laterally to a second treatment location, and advancing a second wire across the mitral annulus, where the distance between the first and second treatment locations is substantially adjustable and optionally visualized.

Abstract: The present teachings generally relate to translation catheter systems and method of using thereof in treating defective mitral valves. Specifically, a translation catheter system includes a catheter configured to move substantially laterally along the mitral annulus and the lateral movement of the catheter is substantially continuous and substantially adjustable. Accordingly, a method of using such a translation catheter includes advancing a first wire across the mitral annulus at a first treatment location, delivering a catheter at or near the first treatment location, moving the catheter substantially laterally to a second treatment location, and advancing a second wire across the mitral annulus, where the distance between the first and second treatment locations is substantially adjustable and optionally visualized.

Abstract: A plication lock delivery system that enables a suture lock assembly to be delivered percutaneouly. The plication lock delivery system comprises a lock assembly that secures sutures in place, a control assembly that allows a clinician to engage a suture to a suture lock assembly, apply tension to the sutures to cause tissue plication, and deploy the lock assembly, and a catheter assembly. This plication lock delivery system can be used to repair mitral regurgitation percutaneouly or in an open-heart surgery.

Abstract: A plication lock delivery system that enables a suture lock assembly to be delivered percutaneously. The plication lock delivery system comprises a lock assembly that secures sutures in place, a control assembly that allows a clinician to engage a suture to a suture lock assembly, apply tension to the sutures to cause tissue plication, and deploy the lock assembly, and a catheter assembly. This plication lock delivery system can be used to repair mitral regurgitation percutaneously or in an open-heart surgery.

Abstract: The present teachings generally relate to translation catheter systems and method of using thereof in treating defective mitral valves. Specifically, a translation catheter system includes a catheter configured to move substantially laterally along the mitral annulus and the lateral movement of the catheter is substantially continuous and substantially adjustable. Accordingly, a method of using such a translation catheter includes advancing a first wire across the mitral annulus at a first treatment location, delivering a catheter at or near the first treatment location, moving the catheter substantially laterally to a second treatment location, and advancing a second wire across the mitral annulus, where the distance between the first and second treatment locations is substantially adjustable and optionally visualized.

Abstract: A plication lock delivery system that enables a suture lock assembly to be delivered percutaneouly. The plication lock delivery system comprises a lock assembly that secures sutures in place, a control assembly that allows a clinician to engage a suture to a suture lock assembly, apply tension to the sutures to cause tissue plication, and deploy the lock assembly, and a catheter assembly. This plication lock delivery system can be used to repair mitral regurgitation percutaneouly or in an open-heart surgery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a Value Bearing Indicium (VBI) for on-line ticketing applications. A VBI may be generated by hashing user information to create a message digest that is used to create a digital signature. The digital signature is combined with the user information to create a VBI that can be validated by a variety of stand-alone or on-line methods. An on-line ticketing application using the VBI is described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, and program for providing access to spatial data. A request for data is received. Enterprise and third party data are integrated. The integrated data is processed. Spatially referenced results are generated using the processed data. The spatially referenced results are returned in response to the request.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for rendering information on network infrastructure. A selection of customer sites is received and a database is queried to determine geographical locations of the selected network sites. A graphical user interface is rendered including representations of the selected customer sites in a map at the geographical location of the selected sites in the map. Selection is received of at least one network service provider (NSP). The database is queried to determine network infrastructure of the selected NSP and geographical locations of the determined network infrastructure. Representations are rendered of the determined network infrastructure in a map at the determined geographical locations of the determined network infrastructure to render a visualization of the geographical locations of the selected customer sites and network infrastructure of the selected at least one NSP in the map.

Abstract: Provided is a technique for evaluating risk associated with underwriting an insurance policy (FIG. 1). At least one location to be covered under the insurance policy is received (FIG. 3, block 320). Risk associated with the location is automatically assessed (FIG. 3, block 338). It is determined whether to underwrite the location based on the assessed risk (FIG. 3, block 340). Also provided is a technique for proximity analysis (FIG. 54). Selection of a proximity center is received (FIG. 55). A function is executed with the proximity center to determine target data items that fall within a proximity area around the proximity center. The target data items are spatially represented.

Abstract: A radially deployable covered stent that predictably and dependably expands to an increased diameter state at relatively low deployment pressures while concomitantly minimizing the risk of tearing of the stent covering during expansion. The stent covering includes an inner cover and an outer cover that are bonded together through and around the stent structure to cover the stent. The stent cover is constructed from expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) having a structure of nodes interconnected by fibrils. The stent covering has a radial thickness of at least about 0.008? and an average internodal distance (IND) of at least about 100 microns when the stent is in the reduced diameter, unexpanded state. The covered stent deploys at an average deployment pressure of less than or equal to about 10 atm.

Abstract: A flex connector assembly for connecting circuit boards has been provided that includes a housing having at least one cavity holding a preloaded spring exerting an outwardly-directed force toward top and bottom ends of the housing; at least one pressure support member located at one of the top and bottom ends, the pressure support member exerting an inwardly-directed force on the preloaded spring; and at least one flex circuit having a flex array arranged on one of the top and bottom ends; and at least one compressible socket having a socket array overlapping the flex circuit. The preloaded spring acts to compress the flex array and the socket array onto one another.

Abstract: A flex connector assembly for connecting circuit boards has been provided that includes a housing having at least one cavity holding a preloaded spring exerting an outwardly-directed force toward top and bottom ends of the housing; at least one pressure support member located at one of the top and bottom ends, the pressure support member exerting an inwardly-directed force on the preloaded spring; and at least one flex circuit having a flex array arranged on one of the top and bottom ends; and at least one compressible socket having a socket array overlapping the flex circuit. The preloaded spring acts to compress the flex array and the socket array onto one another.