Abstract: A delivery device for cardiac valve repair implants includes a delivery catheter and an extension member protruding from a distal end of the delivery catheter. The delivery device further includes a control arm assembly having pairs of control arms. Each pair includes a proximal control arm drivable from a handle assembly of the delivery device and a distal arm coupled to a distal end of the proximal control arm and a distal end of the extension member. Proximally driving each of the proximal control arms of the control arm assembly results in expansion of the control arm assembly and corresponding expansion of a cardiac valve repair implant coupled to the control arm assembly.

Abstract: A delivery device for cardiac valve repair implants includes a delivery catheter and an extension member protruding from a distal end of the delivery catheter. The delivery device further includes a control arm assembly having pairs of control arms. Each pair includes a proximal control arm drivable from a handle assembly of the delivery device and a distal arm coupled to a distal end of the proximal control arm and a distal end of the extension member. Proximally driving each of the proximal control arms of the control arm assembly results in expansion of the control arm assembly and corresponding expansion of a cardiac valve repair implant coupled to the control arm assembly.

Abstract: A valve implant includes an occlusive assembly and a frame coupled to the occlusive assembly. The frame transitions from a collapsed state to an expanded state about a central longitudinal axis and transitioning from the collapsed state to the expanded state causes a proximal end of the frame to expand radially outward from the central longitudinal axis. The valve implant further includes an outer sheet supported on a proximal portion of the frame. The occlusive assembly is supported on a distal portion of the frame such that the inner sheet extends about the central longitudinal axis and an annular opening is defined between the outer sheet and the inner sheet when the frame is in the expanded state.

Abstract: A cardiac valve repair implant, wherein the implant includes a central occluder, and frame and a thin sheet. The central occluder includes a central longitudinal axis. The frame extends proximally from the central occluder and is centered about and forms a circumference around the central longitudinal axis of the central occluder. The frame self-biases from a collapsed state to an expanded state. A proximal end of the frame projects proximally when the frame is in the collapsed state. The proximal end of the frame projects radially outward away from the central longitudinal axis of the central occluder when the frame is in the expanded state. The thin sheet is supported on a proximal portion of the frame. When the frame is in the expanded state, the thin sheet forms an annular surface defining an inner circular opening centered about the central longitudinal axis of the central occluder.

Abstract: A nano-carrier comprising an antiproliferative drug encapsulated by a lipophilic enhancement agent.

Abstract: A novel treatment for atherosclerotic vascular disease is described utilizing the implantation of a thin, conformable biocompatible prosthesis constructed from a composite of various structural and therapeutic scaffolds in combination with one or more bioactive agents. This prosthesis can be delivered into position over a lesion in order to passivate atherosclerotic plaques with minimal remodeling of the artery, or alternatively can be applied with a balloon to passivate the remodeled site. The composite prosthesis itself provides mild structural reinforcement of the vessel wall and an evenly distributed platform for the introduction of bioactive therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The needle injection catheter includes a delivery tube and at least one hypotube that fits slidably within the delivery tube. The hypotube has at least three hollow needle portions extending outwardly at its distal end. The needle portions curve outwardly and have ends shaped to penetrate tissue. At least one reference electrode is located on the delivery tube, spaced from the second end. At least one proximal electrode is located adjacent and spaced from the end of the needle portion. The proximal electrode is electrically connected to a first notification device. A microcircuit is electrically connected to the proximal electrode, the reference electrode and to a power supply. A distal electrode is located adjacent the end of the needle portion and electrically connected to the microcircuit. A tip electrode is located adjacent the second end of the delivery tube and electrically connected to a second notification device and the microcircuit.

Abstract: Novel approaches for a conformable vascular prosthesis delivery system are provided which overcome the limitations of existing high pressure balloons for delivering intravascular prostheses to the site of high-risk plaques. One embodiment involves a short balloon segment which is inflated at one end of the prosthesis and then pulled to traverse the length of the prosthesis, dilating the surrounding prosthesis and securing it to the vessel wall as it traverses the length of the prosthesis. The short balloon segment causes less local trauma to the vessel relative to a full length balloon. Another embodiment involves use of a self-expandable mesh to expand the surrounding prosthesis and secure it to the vessel wall. The self expandable mesh is less traumatic than a typical angioplasty balloon because of the lower radial forces applied and the relatively higher transverse flexibility of the mesh.

Abstract: A needle injection catheter includes a delivery tube that slidably surrounds a hypotube that has at least three hollow needle portions connected to and extending outwardly at its distal end. The needle portions are formed of resilient material and curve outwardly from the delivery tube. The ends of the needle portions are shaped to penetrate tissue when the hypotube is urged out of the delivery tube. A first sensor is located adjacent the distal end of the delivery tube and a second sensor is located adjacent the end of the needle portion. The sensors are electrically connected to first and second notification devices located adjacent a first end of the delivery tube. Radiopaque markers are affixed to the delivery tube to locate the tip using an enhanced imaging system. The markers are sized, shaped, positioned and of different densities to locate the tip both axially and radially within body structures.

Abstract: A novel treatment for atherosclerotic vascular disease is described utilizing the implantation of a thin, conformable biocompatible prosthesis constructed from a composite of various structural and therapeutic scaffolds in combination with one or more bioactive agents. This prosthesis can be delivered into position over a lesion in order to passivate atherosclerotic plaques with minimal remodeling of the artery, or alternatively can be applied with a balloon to passivate the remodeled site. The composite prosthesis itself provides mild structural reinforcement of the vessel wall and an evenly distributed platform for the introduction of bioactive therapeutic agents.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treating patients requiring tissue ablation for volumetric tissue reduction rely on the injection of ethanol and other tissue-ablating agents into the perivascular space surrounding body lumens, particularly blood vessels or vessels of the alimentary canal, reproductive system and urinary tract. Injection of tissue-ablating agents is intended treat conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, benign and malignant tumors, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and uterine fibroids, for example. Injection may be achieved using intravascular catheters which advance needles radially outward from a body vessel lumen or by transmyocardial injection from an epicardial or endocardial surface of the heart.

Abstract: Novel approaches for a conformable vascular prosthesis delivery system are provided which overcome the limitations of existing high pressure balloons for delivering intravascular prostheses to the site of high-risk plaques. One embodiment involves a short balloon segment which is inflated at one end of the prosthesis and then pulled to traverse the length of the prosthesis, dilating the surrounding prosthesis and securing it to the vessel wall as it traverses the length of the prosthesis. The short balloon segment causes less local trauma to the vessel relative to a full length balloon. Another embodiment involves use of a self-expandable mesh to expand the surrounding prosthesis and secure it to the vessel wall. The self expandable mesh is less traumatic than a typical angioplasty balloon because of the lower radial forces applied and the relatively higher transverse flexibility of the mesh.

Abstract: A novel treatment for atherosclerotic vascular disease is described utilizing the implantation of a thin, conformable biocompatible prosthesis constructed from a composite of various structural and therapeutic scaffolds in combination with one or more bioactive agents. This prosthesis can be delivered into position over a lesion in order to passivate atherosclerotic plaques with minimal remodeling of the artery, or alternatively can be applied with a balloon to passivate the remodeled site. The composite prosthesis itself provides mild structural reinforcement of the vessel wall and an evenly distributed platform for the introduction of bioactive therapeutic agents.