Abstract: An annuloplasty ring for repairing a cardiac valve includes an expandable support member having oppositely disposed proximal and distal end portions and a main body portion between the end portions. The proximal end portion of the support member includes a plurality of wing members that extend from the main body portion. Each of the wing members includes at least one hook member for embedding into a cardiac wall and the valve annulus to secure the annuloplasty ring in the valve annulus. The annuloplasty ring may be expanded into full contact engagement with the annulus of the cardiac valve by an inflatable balloon. Methods for repairing a cardiac valve using the annuloplasty ring are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for modifying the annulus of a cardiac valve to reduce regurgitation of blood flow through the cardiac valve includes a first annuloplasty ring having a first diameter and being disposed about a first aspect of the annulus of the cardiac valve. The apparatus also includes an elongate flexible body having proximal and distal end portions and being insertable into the first annuloplasty ring. The elongate flexible body has an adjustable mechanism for selectively adjusting the elongate flexible body from a first relaxed configuration to a second tensioned configuration. The first annuloplasty ring is adaptable to obtain a second smaller diameter and to cause the annulus of the cardiac valve to be modified and reduce regurgitation of blood flow through the cardiac valve when the elongate flexible body obtains the second tensioned configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically retroperfusing a coronary vein. The apparatus includes an intraluminal graft having a tubular body extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is for fluidly connecting to an artery to automatically supply retrograde blood for retroperfusion. The tubular body and the distal end are extendable into a vein that is fluidly connected with the coronary vein to be retroperfused. The distal end includes an expandable stent for securing the distal end in the coronary vein.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically retroperfusing a coronary vein includes an intraluminal cannula having a main body portion extending between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion is for connecting to an artery outside of the pericardium to automatically supply oxygenated blood from the artery for retroperfusion. The main body portion and the distal end portion are insertable through a vein that is fluidly connected with the coronary vein and into the coronary vein. An expandable stent is attached to the distal end portion for expanding radially into engagement with the interior wall of the coronary vein to secure the distal end portion at a desired location within the coronary vein. Occluding structure for at least partially occluding the coronary vein is provided at the distal end to decrease the back-flow of blood into the right atrium during retroperfusion.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically retroperfusing a coronary vein includes an intraluminal cannula having a main body portion extending between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion is for connecting to an artery outside of the pericardium to automatically supply oxygenated blood from the artery for retroperfusion. The main body portion and the distal end portion are insertable through a vein that is fluidly connected with the coronary vein and into the coronary vein. An expandable stent is attached to the distal end portion for expanding radially into engagement with the interior wall of the coronary vein to secure the distal end portion at a desired location within the coronary vein. Occluding structure for at least partially occluding the coronary vein is provided at the distal end to decrease the back-flow of blood into the right atrium during retroperfusion. The cannula includes passages that allow a limited amount of blood to bypass the occluding structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically retroperfusing a coronary vein includes an intraluminal cannula having a main body portion extending between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion is for connecting to an artery outside of the pericardium to automatically supply oxygenated blood from the artery for retroperfusion. The main body portion and the distal end portion are insertable through a vein that is fluidly connected with the coronary vein and into the coronary vein. An expandable stent is attached to the distal end portion for expanding radially into engagement with the interior wall of the coronary vein to secure the distal end portion at a desired location within the coronary vein. Occluding structure for at least partially occluding the coronary vein is provided at the distal end to decrease the back-flow of blood into the right atrium during retroperfusion.

Abstract: An intraluminal catheter having an expandable tubular open-walled element for immobilizing at least part of the catheter within a patient's body lumen, generally comprising an elongated shaft and a tubular open-walled element secured to the shaft, wherein the tubular open-walled element is at least in part expandable from an unexpanded diameter to a larger diameter expanded diameter within the body lumen. The expanded diameter configuration is configured to contact a wall defining the body lumen and thereby releasably secure at least part of the catheter within the body lumen. A cannula member, used for delivering or removing fluids from the body lumen, can be positioned in one or more optimal perfusion locations within the body lumen during use, independent of the secured site. When occlusion of the axial flow is necessary, an optional occluding member may be reversibly deployed so that it expands inside and against the expanded tubular open-walled element.

Abstract: An intraluminal catheter having an expandable tubular open-walled element for immobilizing at least part of the catheter within a patient's body lumen, generally comprising an elongated shaft and a tubular open-walled element secured to the shaft, wherein the tubular open-walled element is at least in part expandable from an unexpanded diameter to a larger diameter expanded diameter within the body lumen. The expanded diameter configuration is configured to contact a wall defining the body lumen and thereby releasably secure at least part of the catheter within the body lumen. A cannula member, used for delivering or removing fluids from the body lumen, can be positioned in one or more optimal perfusion locations within the body lumen during use, independent of the secured site. When occlusion of the axial flow is necessary, an optional occluding member may be reversibly deployed so that it expands inside and against the expanded tubular open-walled element .

Abstract: An intraluminal catheter having an expandable tubular open-walled element for immobilizing at least part of the catheter within a patient's body lumen, generally comprising an elongated shaft and a tubular open-walled element secured to the shaft, wherein the tubular open-walled element is at least in part expandable from an unexpanded diameter to a larger diameter expanded diameter within the body lumen. The expanded diameter configuration is configured to contact a wall defining the body lumen and thereby releasably secure at least part of the catheter within the body lumen. A cannula member, used for delivering or removing fluids from the body lumen, can be positioned in one or more optimal perfusion locations within the body lumen during use, independent of the secured site. When occlusion of the axial flow is necessary, an optional occluding member may be reversibly deployed so that it expands inside and against the expanded tubular open-walled element .

Abstract: A device and method for immobilizing a portion of the epicardium without interrupting the beating of the heart, which includes a frame that can be temporarily anchored to the epicardium and one or more expandable members attached to the frame which, upon inflation, temporarily occlude the passage of blood through the vessel or vessels in the operational field defined by the frame.