Abstract: A method for beneficially displacing a papillary muscle, the method comprising: anchoring one end of an implant suture to a trigone or central fibrous body of the mitral valve; passing another end of the implant suture through a papillary muscle so that the implant suture extends between a trigone or central fibrous body of the mitral valve and the papillary muscle; tensioning the implant suture while displacing the papillary muscle toward the trigone or central fibrous body of the mitral valve; and securing the tensioned implant suture to the displaced papillary muscle so as to maintain the displaced papillary muscle in position relative to the trigone or central fibrous body of the mitral valve; wherein the foregoing steps of anchoring, passing, tensioning and securing are all effected while the heart is beating.

Abstract: A method for beneficially displacing a papillary muscle, the method comprising: anchoring one end of an implant suture to a trigone or central fibrous body of the mitral valve; passing another end of the implant suture through a papillary muscle so that the implant suture extends between a trigone or central fibrous body of the mitral valve and the papillary muscle; tensioning the implant suture while displacing the papillary muscle toward the trigone or central fibrous body of the mitral valve; and securing the tensioned implant suture to the displaced papillary muscle so as to maintain the displaced papillary muscle in position relative to the trigone or central fibrous body of the mitral valve; wherein the foregoing steps of anchoring, passing, tensioning and securing are all effected while the heart is beating.

Abstract: A method for repairing a mitral valve, the method comprising: positioning a crossing guidewire across the mitral valve, the crossing guidewire passing through the annulus of the mitral valve at a first location and passing through the annulus of the mitral valve at a second location; using the crossing guidewire to position a spanning implant across the mitral valve, with the spanning implant extending from the first location to the second location; anchoring the spanning implant at the first location; tensioning the spanning implant so as to draw the first location and the second location together; and anchoring the spanning implant at the second location.

Abstract: Apparatus, the apparatus comprising: an anchor, the anchor comprising: an elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end, and a first side and a second side; a through-hole formed in the body intermediate the distal end and the proximal end and extending through the body from the first side to the second side, the through-hole being sized to receive a spanning suture; a proximal slot formed in the first side of the body and communicating with the through-hole, the proximal slot being sized to receive a spanning suture; and a distal slot formed in the second side of the body and communicating with the through-hole, the distal slot being sized to receive a spanning suture; at least a portion of the proximal slot being axially aligned with at least a portion of the distal slot so that the proximal slot, the through-hole and the distal slot together form an axial passageway extending from the distal end of the elongated body to the proximal end of the elongated body, with the axial passageway being sized t

Abstract: A method for repairing a mitral valve, the method comprising: positioning a crossing guidewire across the mitral valve, the crossing guidewire passing through the annulus of the mitral valve at a first location and passing through the annulus of the mitral valve at a second location; using the crossing guidewire to position a spanning implant across the mitral valve, with the spanning implant extending from the first location to the second location; anchoring the spanning implant at the first location; tensioning the spanning implant so as to draw the first location and the second location together; and anchoring the spanning implant at the second location.

Abstract: A unidirectional handle device for an endoluminal device includes an outer tubular member and an elongate inner member slidably received in the outer tubular member. The unidirectional handle includes a handle member, a needle bearing clutch disposed in the handle member, a control member guide, and shaft rotatable in a single direction disposed within the handle member. The shaft is rotatable in a single direction by its engagement with the needle bearing clutch. The shaft is in rotational engagement with the outer tubular member of the endoluminal device. The outer tubular member is slidable from a distal position to a proximal position when the shaft is rotated in the single direction. The unidirectional handle device provides substantially no backlash of the outer tubular member. In addition, the unidirectional handle device advantageously produces a tension-retaining effect during use.

Abstract: A prosthesis for treating a body passage includes a micro-porous tubular element and a support element. The tubular element is formed from a thin-walled sheet having a wall thickness of 25 micrometers or less, preferably a coiled-sheet exhibiting temperature-activated shape memory properties. The mesh pattern includes a plurality of openings in the sheet having a maximum dimension of not more than about 200 micrometers, thereby acting as a filter trapping embolic material while facilitating endothelial growth therethrough. The support element includes a plurality of struts, preferably having a thickness of 100-150 micrometers. The support element is preferably an independent component from the tubular element. Alternatively, the support element may be attached to or integrally formed as part of the tubular element. The tubular and support elements are placed on a catheter in contracted conditions and advanced endoluminally to a treatment location within a body passage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation. The apparatus is inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to straighten the natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and reduce mitral regurgitation. The apparatus is also configured to work in conjunction with an electrical lead for an implantable bi-ventricular pacing device, an electrical lead for an implantable cardio defibrillator, etc.

Abstract: A coiled-sheet stent includes a tubular body having a longitudinal axis, a circumference, and a thickness, and having a size configured for introduction into a body lumen. The tubular body includes a plurality of cylindrical bands, each band including a generally zig-zag pattern defined by a series of sequential arcuate-shaped diagonal elements connected to one another and extending about the circumference. Longitudinal connectors extend between adjacent cylindrical bands. Slots are formed in the tubular body oriented about the circumference of the tubular body, thereby providing reduced thickness regions in the longitudinal connectors that have a thickness that is substantially smaller than the thickness of the cylindrical bands of the tubular body.

Abstract: A prosthesis for treating a body passage includes a micro-porous tubular element and a support element. The tubular element is formed from a thin-walled sheet having a wall thickness of 25 micrometers or less, preferably a coiled-sheet exhibiting temperature-activated shape memory properties. The mesh pattern includes a plurality of openings in the sheet having a maximum dimension of not more than about 200 micrometers, thereby acting as a filter trapping embolic material while facilitating endothelial growth therethrough. The support element includes a plurality of struts, preferably having a thickness of 100–150 micrometers. The support element is preferably an independent component from the tubular element. Alternatively, the support element may be attached to or integrally formed as part of the tubular element. The tubular and support elements are placed on a catheter in contracted conditions and advanced endoluminally to a treatment location within a body passage.

Abstract: A unidirectional handle device for an endoluminal device includes an outer tubular member and an elongate inner member slidably received in the outer tubular member. The unidirectional handle includes a handle member, a needle bearing clutch disposed in the handle member, a control member guide, and shaft rotatable in a single direction disposed within the handle member. The shaft is rotatable in a single direction by its engagement with the needle bearing clutch. The shaft is in rotational engagement with the outer tubular member of the endoluminal device. The outer tubular member is slidable from a distal position to a proximal position when the shaft is rotated in the single direction. The unidirectional handle device provides substantially no backlash of the outer tubular member. In addition, the unidirectional handle device advantageously produces a tension-retaining effect during use.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a stent into a blood vessel includes a sheath having a rounded bullet-shaped distal portion including a plurality of flexible leaflets integrally molded thereto. The stent is disposed in its contracted condition within a lumen of the sheath proximate the distal portion. A bumper is slidably disposed within the lumen that includes a helical compression coil, a bumper element attached to the helical coil including a blunt distal edge for abutting the stent, and an extension element extending distally from the bumper element through the stent and between the leaflets to facilitate introducing the apparatus over a guidewire. The sheath is formed by inserting a bullet into a blunt-ended tube, and inserting the tube into a bullet-shaped bore in a heated die until the tube material is softened and deforms into a rounded bullet shape. Slits are then cut into the distal portion to create the leaflets.

Abstract: A prosthesis for treating a body passage includes a micro-porous tubular element and a support element. The tubular element is formed from a thin-walled sheet having a wall thickness of 25 micrometers or less, preferably a coiled-sheet exhibiting temperature-activated shape memory properties. The mesh pattern includes a plurality of openings in the sheet having a maximum dimension of not more than about 200 micrometers, thereby acting as a filter trapping embolic material while facilitating endothelial growth therethrough. The support element includes a plurality of struts, preferably having a thickness of 100-150 micrometers. The support element is preferably an independent component from the tubular element. Alternatively, the support element may be attached to or integrally formed as part of the tubular element. The tubular and support elements are placed on a catheter in contracted conditions and advanced endoluminally to a treatment location within a body passage.

Abstract: A prosthesis for treating a body passage includes a micro-porous tubular element and a support element. The tubular element is formed from a thin-walled sheet having a wall thickness of 25 micrometers or less, preferably a coiled-sheet exhibiting temperature-activated shape memory properties. The mesh pattern includes a plurality of openings in the sheet having a maximum dimension of not more than about 200 micrometers, thereby acting as a filter trapping embolic material while facilitating endothelial growth therethrough. The support element includes a plurality of struts, preferably having a thickness of 100-150 micrometers. The support element is preferably an independent component from the tubular element. Alternatively, the support element may be attached to or integrally formed as part of the tubular element. The tubular and support elements are placed on a catheter in contracted conditions and advanced endoluminally to a treatment location within a body passage.

Abstract: A unidirectional handle device for an endoluminal device includes an outer tubular member and an elongate inner member slidably received in the outer tubular member. The unidirectional handle includes a handle member, a needle bearing clutch disposed in the handle member, a control member guide, and shaft rotatable in a single direction disposed within the handle member. The shaft is rotatable in a single direction by its engagement with the needle bearing clutch. The shaft is in rotational engagement with the outer tubular member of the endoluminal device. The outer tubular member is slidable from a distal position to a proximal position when the shaft is rotated in the single direction. The unidirectional handle device provides substantially no backlash of the outer tubular member. In addition, the unidirectional handle device advantageously produces a tension-retaining effect during use.

Abstract: A coiled-sheet stent includes a tubular body having a longitudinal axis, a circumference, and a thickness, and having a size configured for introduction into a body lumen. The tubular body includes a plurality of cylindrical bands, each band including a generally zig-zag pattern defined by a series of sequential arcuate-shaped diagonal elements connected to one another and extending about the circumference. Longitudinal connectors extend between adjacent cylindrical bands. Slots are formed in the tubular body oriented about the circumference of the tubular body, thereby providing reduced thickness regions in the longitudinal connectors that have a thickness that is substantially smaller than the thickness of the cylindrical bands of the tubular body.

Abstract: A coiled-sheet stent includes a tubular body having a longitudinal axis, a circumference, and a thickness, and having a size configured for introduction into a body lumen. The tubular body includes a plurality of cylindrical bands, each band including a generally zig-zag pattern defined by a series of sequential arcuate-shaped diagonal elements connected to one another and extending about the circumference. Longitudinal connectors extend between adjacent cylindrical bands. Slots are formed in the tubular body oriented about the circumference of the tubular body, thereby providing reduced thickness regions in the longitudinal connectors that have a thickness that is substantially smaller than the thickness of the cylindrical bands of the tubular body.

Abstract: A unidirectional handle device for an endoluminal device includes an outer tubular member and an elongate inner member slidably received in the outer tubular member. The unidirectional handle includes a handle member, a needle bearing clutch disposed in the handle member, a control member guide, and shaft rotatable in a single direction disposed within the handle member. The shaft is rotatable in a single direction by its engagement with the needle bearing clutch. The shaft is in rotational engagement with the outer tubular member of the endoluminal device. The outer tubular member is slidable from a distal position to a proximal position when the shaft is rotated in the single direction. The unidirectional handle device provides substantially no backlash of the outer tubular member. In addition, the unidirectional handle device advantageously produces a tension-retaining effect during use.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus includes a tubular sheath including proximal, intermediate, and distal portions defining a lumen. A wall of the distal portion is transparent, allowing observation of the lumen within the distal portion. The distal portion terminates in a rounded distal tip including a plurality of leaflets. A self-expanding stent is disposed within the intermediate portion, and a bumper member is slidably disposed within the lumen proximate the stent. Before use, the sheath is retracted to bump the stent forward into the distal portion until the stent is observed within the distal portion. After the apparatus has been pre-loaded, the distal portion is advanced into a blood vessel, e.g., across a stenosis, and the sheath is retracted, causing the leaflets to open and allow the stent to be deployed, whereupon the stent automatically expands to dilate the stenosis.

Abstract: A prosthesis for treating a body passage includes a micro-porous tubular element and a support element. The tubular element is formed from a thin-walled sheet having a wall thickness of 25 micrometers or less, preferably a coiled-sheet exhibiting temperature-activated shape memory properties. The mesh pattern includes a plurality of openings in the sheet having a maximum dimension of not more than about 200 micrometers, thereby acting as a filter trapping embolic material while facilitating endothelial growth therethrough. The support element includes a plurality of struts, preferably having a thickness of 100-150 micrometers. The support element is preferably an independent component from the tubular element. Alternatively, the support element may be attached to or integrally formed as part of the tubular element. The tubular and support elements are placed on a catheter in contracted conditions and advanced endoluminally to a treatment location within a body passage.