Abstract: According to one embodiment, a heart anchor tensioning device includes a main body and an elongate shaft. A tension member or tether may be inserted through a lumen of the elongate shaft to allow the shaft to be advanced over the tension member and within a body while the main body is positioned outside of the body. The device also includes an anchor coupling mechanism that is configured to engage a heart anchor and move the heart anchor into engagement with a first wall of the heart. The anchor coupling mechanism is able to lock the heart anchor to inhibit proximal movement of the heart anchor along the tension member. The device further includes a tension indicating mechanism that provides an indication of a force being applied to the heart anchor by the device.

Abstract: A method for performing a therapeutic intervention in a pericardial space of a heart includes delivering a catheter into a right atrium of the heart and steering the catheter so that a distal end of the catheter is positioned adjacent an access site in the right atrium. The distal end of the catheter is anchored in a heart wall of the right atrium adjacent the access site and the heart wall is inverted to separate an exterior surface of the inverted heart wall from contact with parietal pericardial tissue. The inverted heart wall is penetrated to provide access to the pericardial space around the heart. A device is delivered through the penetrating in the inverted heart wall to perform the therapeutic intervention in the pericardial space.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a tissue penetrating device includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending there between. A first needle is disposed within the lumen of the elongate shaft and is extendable therefrom between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the first needle is disposed within the elongate shaft's lumen and is substantially aligned with an axis of the lumen. In the second configuration, the first needle extends distally of the elongate shaft's distal end and bends away from the lumen's axis. A second needle is disposed within a lumen of the first needle and is extendable therefrom when the first needle is positioned in the first configuration and when the first needle is positioned in the second configuration. The second needle may be extended from the first needle to penetrate tissue of a patient.

Abstract: A heart tissue gripping device may include a body portion, an elongate shaft, and a tissue gripping member that is attached to the distal end of the elongate shaft. The tissue gripping member being may be positioned adjacent a heart surface by insertion through an incision in the body. The tissue gripping member may releasably attach to tissue of the heart surface to facilitate a surgical instrument in performing one or more procedures. A coupling of the tissue gripping member may releasably attach the surgical device to the tissue gripping member to allow the device to access the tissue of the heart surface.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a protective device for use in congestive heart failure treatments, and other treatments, includes a control mechanism, an elongate shaft, and a protective plate. The control mechanism is coupled with a proximal end of the elongate shaft and the protective plate is pivotably coupled with a distal end of the elongate shaft. The elongate shaft enables the protective plate to be inserted within a body and navigated distally of a heart wall. The protective plate has a relatively wide and thin body portion and is pivotable relative to the elongate shaft by operation of the control mechanism. Pivoting and/or navigating of the protective plate within the body allows the protective plate to be positioned adjacent the heart wall to shield body organs or tissue surrounding the heart wall from being damaged by surgical instruments inserted through the heart wall.

Abstract: A system for treating a heart includes a catheter that is advanceable into a chamber of the heart and that is repositionable within the chamber between a septal wall and an external wall to enable penetration of the septal and external walls via a needle that is disposed within a lumen of the catheter. A first guidewire is deliverable through the penetration of the septal wall so that a distal end of the first guidewire is disposed within another chamber of the heart. A second guidewire is deliverable through the penetration of the external wall so that a distal end of the second guidewire is disposed externally of the external wall. The first guidewire is connectable to the second guidewire to join or form a path within the chamber that extends between the septal wall and the external wall.

Abstract: A method for performing a therapeutic intervention in a pericardial space of a heart includes delivering a catheter into a right atrium of the heart and steering the catheter so that a distal end of the catheter is positioned adjacent an access site in the right atrium. The distal end of the catheter is anchored in a heart wall of the right atrium adjacent the access site and the heart wall is inverted to separate an exterior surface of the inverted heart wall from contact with parietal pericardial tissue. The inverted heart wall is penetrated to provide access to the pericardial space around the heart. A device is delivered through the penetrating in the inverted heart wall to perform the therapeutic intervention in the pericardial space.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include devices, systems, and methods for reducing the distance between two locations in tissue. In one embodiment, an anchor may reside within the right ventricle in engagement with the septum. A tension member may extend from that anchor through the septum and an exterior wall of the left ventricle to a second anchor disposed along a surface of the heart. Perforating the exterior wall and the septum from an epicardial approach can provide control over the reshaping of the ventricular chamber. Guiding deployment of the implant from along the epicardial access path and another access path into and through the right ventricle provides control over the movement of the anchor within the ventricle. The joined epicardial pathway and right atrial pathway allows the tension member to be advanced into the heart through the right atrium and pulled into engagement along the epicardial access path.

Abstract: A heart implant alignment and delivery device includes an elongate body having an opening that is disposed near a distal end of the elongate body. The opening is configured so that a heart implant is positionable within the opening with the heart implant exposed to a surrounding environment and so that the heart implant is substantially aligned with the distal end of the elongate body. The device also includes an implant reposition member, such as a cable, that is releasably coupleable with the heart implant and that is operationally coupled with the elongate body so that a first operation of the implant reposition member causes the heart implant to be retractably deployed from the opening of the elongate body. The first operation of the implant reposition member may be effected via a handle mechanism that is attached to a proximal end of the elongate body.

Abstract: Medical devices, systems, and methods reduce the distance between two locations in tissue in a minimally invasive manner, often for treatment of congestive heart failure. In one embodiment, an anchor of an implant system may, when the implant system is fully deployed, reside within the right ventricle in engagement with the ventricular septum. A tension member may extend from that anchor through the septum and an exterior wall of the left ventricle to a second anchor disposed along an epicardial surface of the heart. Deployment of the anchor within the right ventricle may be performed by inserting a guidewire through the septal wall into the right ventricle. The anchor may be inserted into the right ventricle over the guidewire and through a lumen of a delivery catheter. Delivering the anchor over the guidewire may provide improved control in the delivery and placement of the anchor within the right ventricle.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include devices, systems, and methods for reducing the distance between two locations in tissue. In one embodiment, an anchor may reside within the right ventricle in engagement with the septum. A tension member may extend from that anchor through the septum and an exterior wall of the left ventricle to a second anchor disposed along a surface of the heart. Perforating the exterior wall and the septum from an epicardial approach can provide control over the reshaping of the ventricular chamber. Guiding deployment of the implant from along the epicardial access path and another access path into and through the right ventricle provides control over the movement of the anchor within the ventricle. The joined epicardial pathway and right atrial pathway allows the tension member to be advanced into the heart through the right atrium and pulled into engagement along the epicardial access path.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a heart anchor tensioning device includes a main body and an elongate shaft. A tension member or tether may be inserted through a lumen of the elongate shaft to allow the shaft to be advanced over the tension member and within a body while the main body is positioned outside of the body. The device also includes an anchor coupling mechanism that is configured to engage a heart anchor and move the heart anchor into engagement with a first wall of the heart. The anchor coupling mechanism is able to lock the heart anchor to inhibit proximal movement of the heart anchor along the tension member. The device further includes a tension indicating mechanism that provides an indication of a force being applied to the heart anchor by the device.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a protective device for use in congestive heart failure treatments, and other treatments, includes a control mechanism, an elongate shaft, and a protective plate. The control mechanism is coupled with a proximal end of the elongate shaft and the protective plate is pivotably coupled with a distal end of the elongate shaft. The elongate shaft enables the protective plate to be inserted within a body and navigated distally of a heart wall. The protective plate has a relatively wide and thin body portion and is pivotable relative to the elongate shaft by operation of the control mechanism. Pivoting and/or navigating of the protective plate within the body allows the protective plate to be positioned adjacent the heart wall to shield body organs or tissue surrounding the heart wall from being damaged by surgical instruments inserted through the heart wall.

Abstract: A heart tissue gripping device may include a body portion, an elongate shaft, and a tissue gripping member that is attached to the distal end of the elongate shaft. The tissue gripping member being may be positioned adjacent a heart surface by insertion through an incision in the body. The tissue gripping member may releasably attach to tissue of the heart surface to facilitate a surgical instrument in performing one or more procedures. A coupling of the tissue gripping member may releasably attach the surgical device to the tissue gripping member to allow the device to access the tissue of the heart surface.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a protective device for use in congestive heart failure treatments, and other treatments, includes a control mechanism, an elongate shaft, and a protective plate. The control mechanism is coupled with a proximal end of the elongate shaft and the protective plate is pivotably coupled with a distal end of the elongate shaft. The elongate shaft enables the protective plate to be inserted within a body and navigated distally of a heart wall. The protective plate has a relatively wide and thin body portion and is pivotable relative to the elongate shaft by operation of the control mechanism. Pivoting and/or navigating of the protective plate within the body allows the protective plate to be positioned adjacent the heart wall to shield body organs or tissue surrounding the heart wall from being damaged by surgical instruments inserted through the heart wall.

Abstract: A heart tissue gripping device may include a body portion, an elongate shaft, and a tissue gripping member that is attached to the distal end of the elongate shaft. The tissue gripping member being may be positioned adjacent a heart surface by insertion through an incision in the body. The tissue gripping member may releasably attach to tissue of the heart surface to facilitate a surgical instrument in performing one or more procedures. A coupling of the tissue gripping member may releasably attach the surgical device to the tissue gripping member to allow the device to access the tissue of the heart surface.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a heart anchor tensioning device includes a main body and an elongate shaft. A tension member or tether may be inserted through a lumen of the elongate shaft to allow the shaft to be advanced over the tension member and within a body while the main body is positioned outside of the body. The device also includes an anchor coupling mechanism that is configured to engage a heart anchor and move the heart anchor into engagement with a first wall of the heart. The anchor coupling mechanism is able to lock the heart anchor to inhibit proximal movement of the heart anchor along the tension member. The device further includes a tension indicating mechanism that provides an indication of a force being applied to the heart anchor by the device.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a tissue penetrating device includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending there between. A first needle is disposed within the lumen of the elongate shaft and is extendable therefrom between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the first needle is disposed within the elongate shaft's lumen and is substantially aligned with an axis of the lumen. In the second configuration, the first needle extends distally of the elongate shaft's distal end and bends away from the lumen's axis. A second needle is disposed within a lumen of the first needle and is extendable therefrom when the first needle is positioned in the first configuration and when the first needle is positioned in the second configuration. The second needle may be extended from the first needle to penetrate tissue of a patient.

Abstract: A heart implant alignment and delivery device includes an elongate body having an opening that is disposed near a distal end of the elongate body. The opening is configured so that a heart implant is positionable within the opening with the heart implant exposed to a surrounding environment and so that the heart implant is substantially aligned with the distal end of the elongate body. The device also includes an implant reposition member, such as a cable, that is releasably coupleable with the heart implant and that is operationally coupled with the elongate body so that a first operation of the implant reposition member causes the heart implant to be retractably deployed from the opening of the elongate body. The first operation of the implant reposition member may be effected via a handle mechanism that is attached to a proximal end of the elongate body.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include devices, systems, and methods for reducing the distance between two locations in tissue. In one embodiment, an anchor may reside within the right ventricle in engagement with the septum. A tension member may extend from that anchor through the septum and an exterior wall of the left ventricle to a second anchor disposed along a surface of the heart. Perforating the exterior wall and the septum from an epicardial approach can provide control over the reshaping of the ventricular chamber. Guiding deployment of the implant from along the epicardial access path and another access path into and through the right ventricle provides control over the movement of the anchor within the ventricle. The joined epicardial pathway and right atrial pathway allows the tension member to be advanced into the heart through the right atrium and pulled into engagement along the epicardial access path.