Abstract: Puncture and anchor devices are disclosed that facilitate puncturing through a wall of a second vessel from a first vessel. The anchor can be delivered in a catheter or other delivery device and then released after puncturing through the vessel walls. The anchor can remain in the tissue, acting as a shunt. The devices and methods disclosed herein relate to a puncture device that includes a sharpened coil; a needle configured to extend from the distal end of the catheter through a central axis of the sharpened coil, wherein the sharpened coil anchors the catheter to the targeted tissue to facilitate puncturing of the targeted tissue with the needle. The needle comprises a dilation device that is configured to open the tissue and to create a conduit between both vessels. The sharpened coil is detachable from the catheter.

Abstract: A medical device includes an incision device operably coupled to a distal end of an elongate catheter. The incision device includes an incision channel, and a retractable cutting apparatus disposed within the incision channel. The retractable cutting apparatus includes a first cutting apparatus link that is rotatably fixed proximate to a distal end of the incision channel and a second cutting apparatus link that is attached to the first link proximal end of the first cutting apparatus link. The first cutting apparatus preferably includes a first cutting surface proximate to the first link proximal end of the first cutting apparatus link and the second cutting apparatus link includes a second cutting surface. The retractable cutting apparatus also includes a guide member coupled to cause the retractable cutting apparatus to move between a retracted position and a deployed position.

Abstract: A medical device for creating elongated incisions within a pericardium is provided. The medical device includes an incision device operably coupled to a distal end of a catheter. The incision device includes an incision channel defined along the incision device. The medical device further includes a retractable cutting apparatus disposed within the incision channel. The retractable cutting apparatus includes a blade structured to move between a retracted position and a deployed position. In an instance in which the blade is in the retracted position, the blade is disposed within the incision channel. In an instance in which the blade is in the deployed position, the blade at least partially protrudes from the incision channel. The medical device further includes a cutting apparatus actuation mechanism structured to move the blade between the retracted position and the deployed position within a human body.

Abstract: A medical device for creating elongated incisions within a pericardium is provided. The device also includes an incision device operably coupled to a distal end of a catheter. The device also includes a retractable cutting apparatus disposed within an incision channel of the incision device. The retractable cutting apparatus includes a gear-actuated blade structured to move between a retracted and a deployed position. In an instance in which the gear-actuated blade is in the retracted position, the gear-actuated blade is disposed within the incision channel. In an instance in which the gear-actuated blade is in the deployed position, the gear-actuated blade at least partially protrudes from the incision channel. The retractable cutting apparatus also includes a torsion gear mechanism attached to the gear-actuated blade. The retractable cutting apparatus also includes a rotatable gear actuator that is structured to move the torsion gear mechanism.

Abstract: A sensor-retention structure includes a sensor-support strut and a means for securing a sensor device to the sensor-support strut. A sensor-support arm can be configured to have disposed thereon an at least partially cylindrical sensor device and be associated with one or more sensor-retention fingers projecting from the sensor-support arm and/or a cage structure configured to be secured to the sensor device.

Abstract: Devices for anchoring catheter systems, such as an atrioventricular heart valve regurgitation reduction system with a coapting element or spacer positioned within the atrioventricular valve leaflets. The spacer may be anchored above the atrioventricular valve with a rail that extends up into the subclavian vein, with tethers that attach to anchors around the annulus, or with a tether that connects to a stent expanded within an adjacent blood flow passage. The spacer may also be anchored below the atrioventricular valve with a rail that terminates in a tissue anchor within the ventricle, with tethers that attach to anchors around ventricle, or with a tether that connects to a stent expanded within an adjacent blood flow passage. The spacer may also be stabilized by a harness extending across the valve annulus or may be self-anchoring with an array of struts that extend into contact with the surrounding tissue.