Abstract: Elongate implant structures can be introduced into an airway system to a target airway axial region, often to apply lateral bending and/or compression forces against the lung tissue from within the airways for an extended period of time. Structures or features of the implants may inhibit tissue reactions that might otherwise allow portions of the device to eventually traverse through the wall of the airway. The devices may enhance the area bearing laterally on the tissue of a surrounding airway lumen wall. Embodiments may have features which increase the device friction with the airway to allow the device to grip the surrounding airway as the device is deployed. An appropriate adhesive may be introduced around the device in the lung. Hydrophilic material may inhibit biofilm formation, or features which induce some tissue ingrowth (stimulation of tissue growth) may enhance implanted device supported.

Abstract: A device for enhancing the breathing efficiency of a patient is provided. The implantable device may include a deployed configuration with one or more helical sections with proximal end in a stand-off proximal end configuration. The stand-off proximal end configuration may reduce migration of the deployed device and may preserve implant tissue compression. Alternative configurations may include two or more helical sections with a transition section disposed between the two or more helical sections. A device may include a right-handed helical section and a left-handed helical section and the transition section comprises a switchback transition section. The switchback section may provide greater control of the device during deployment by limiting recoiling forces of a device comprising a spring material. The deployed device may compress the lung to increase a gas filling resistance of the compressed portion of the lung, and/or increase tension and elastic recoil in other portions of the lung.

Abstract: The invention provides improved medical devices, therapeutic treatment systems, and treatment methods for treatment of the lung. A lung volume reduction system includes an implantable device having an elongate body that is sized and shaped for delivery via the airway system to a lung airway of a patient. The implant is inserted and positioned while the implant is in a delivery configuration, and is reconfigured to a deployed configuration so as to locally compress adjacent tissue of the lung, with portions of the elongate body generally moving laterally within the airway so as to laterally compress lung tissue. A plurality of such implants will often be used to treat a lung of a patient.

Abstract: Devices for treating mitral valve regurgitation, including a distal expandable anchor, a proximal expandable anchor, and a fixed length connecting member extending from the proximal expandable anchor to the distal expandable anchor, where at least one of the proximal and distal anchors includes first and second arm segments that extend from one end of the device toward the connecting member and the other anchor when in a collapsed delivery configuration, and where the at least one of the proximal and distal anchors that comprises the first and second arm segments has an expanded configuration in which the first and second arm segments extend radially outwardly such that the first and second arm segments extend away from one another toward the connector, and meet one another at a location axially spaced from the end of the device.

Abstract: An anchor anchors a therapeutic device having an elongated body within a body lumen. The anchor includes a fixation member carried on the device which is adjustable from a first configuration that permits placement of the device in the body lumen to a second configuration that anchors the device within the body lumen. The anchor further includes a lock that locks the fixation member in the second configuration. The fixation member may be locked in any one of a plurality of intermediate points between the first configuration and a maximum second configuration.

Abstract: An anchor anchors a therapeutic device having an elongated body within a body lumen. The anchor includes a fixation member carried on the device which is adjustable from a first configuration that permits placement of the device in the body lumen to a second configuration that anchors the device within the body lumen. The anchor further includes a lock that locks the fixation member in the second configuration. The fixation member may be locked in any one of a plurality of intermediate points between the first configuration and a maximum second configuration.

Abstract: Devices for treating mitral valve regurgitation, including a distal expandable anchor, a proximal expandable anchor, and a fixed length connecting member extending from the proximal expandable anchor to the distal expandable anchor, where at least one of the proximal and distal anchors includes first and second arm segments that extend from one end of the device toward the connecting member and the other anchor when in a collapsed delivery configuration, and where the at least one of the proximal and distal anchors that comprises the first and second arm segments has an expanded configuration in which the first and second arm segments extend radially outwardly such that the first and second arm segments extend away from one another toward the connector, and meet one another at a location axially spaced from the end of the device.

Abstract: Devices for treating mitral valve regurgitation, including a distal expandable anchor, a proximal expandable anchor, and a fixed length connecting member extending from the proximal expandable anchor to the distal expandable anchor, where at least one of the proximal and distal anchors includes first and second arm segments that extend from one end of the device toward the connecting member and the other anchor when in a collapsed delivery configuration, and where the at least one of the proximal and distal anchors that comprises the first and second arm segments has an expanded configuration in which the first and second arm segments extend radially outwardly such that the first and second arm segments extend away from one another toward the connector, and meet one another at a location axially spaced from the end of the device.

Abstract: Devices for treating mitral valve regurgitation, including a distal expandable anchor, a proximal expandable anchor, and a fixed length connecting member extending from the proximal expandable anchor to the distal expandable anchor, where at least one of the proximal and distal anchors includes first and second arm segments that extend from one end of the device toward the connecting member and the other anchor when in a collapsed delivery configuration, and where the at least one of the proximal and distal anchors that comprises the first and second arm segments has an expanded configuration in which the first and second arm segments extend radially outwardly such that the first and second arm segments extend away from one another toward the connector, and meet one another at a location axially spaced from the end of the device.

Abstract: Methods of treating mitral valve regurgitation, including causing a distal expandable anchor to self-expand within a coronary sinus, anchoring the distal expandable anchor against movement in the coronary sinus, changing the geometry of a mitral valve annulus, causing a proximal expandable anchor to self-expand within the coronary sinus, anchoring the proximal expandable anchor against movement within the coronary sinus, and withdrawing the delivery system from the coronary sinus.

Abstract: A vessel-occluding medical device for the use in diagnosis and/or treatment of cardiovascular disease in the human body includes an outer tube, an inner tube slidably housed within the outer tube, and a tubular sleeve comprising a generally U-shaped, direction reversing region, which moves along the length of the tubular sleeve, to assume radially contracted and radially expanded state as the inner and outer tubes move between the first and second positions. When the tubular sleeve is in the radially expanded state, the inner portion of the tubular sleeve has a funnel-shaped surface and a longitudinally-extending opening to permit material to pass therethrough for receipt of material into the inner tube.

Abstract: Elongate implant structures can be introduced into an airway system to a target airway axial region, often to apply lateral bending and/or compression forces against the lung tissue from within the airways for an extended period of time. Structures or features of the implants may inhibit tissue reactions that might otherwise allow portions of the device to eventually traverse through the wall of the airway. The devices may enhance the area bearing laterally on the tissue of a surrounding airway lumen wall. Embodiments may have features which increase the device friction with the airway to allow the device to grip the surrounding airway as the device is deployed. An appropriate adhesive may be introduced around the device in the lung. Hydrophilic material may inhibit biofilm formation, or features which induce some tissue ingrowth (stimulation of tissue growth) may enhance implanted device supported.

Abstract: An anchor anchors a therapeutic device having an elongated body within a body lumen. The anchor includes a fixation member carried on the device which is adjustable from a first configuration that permits placement of the device in the body lumen to a second configuration that anchors the device within the body lumen. The anchor further includes a lock that locks the fixation member in the second configuration. The fixation member may be locked in any one of a plurality of intermediate points between the first configuration and a maximum second configuration.

Abstract: A device affects the mitral valve annulus geometry of a heart. The device includes a first anchor configured to be positioned within and anchored to the coronary sinus of the heart adjacent the mitral valve annulus within the heart and a second anchor configured to be positioned within the coronary sinus of the heart proximal to the first anchor and adjacent the mitral valve annulus within the heart. The second anchor, when deployed, anchors against distal movement and is moveable in a proximal direction. The device further includes a connecting member having a fixed length permanently attached to the first and second anchors. As a result, when the first and second anchors are within the coronary sinus with the first anchor anchored in the coronary sinus, the second anchor may be displaced proximally to affect the geometry of the mitral valve annulus and released to maintain the effect on the mitral valve geometry.

Abstract: A device for enhancing the breathing efficiency of a patient is provided. The implantable device may include a deployed configuration with one or more helical sections with proximal end in a stand-off proximal end configuration. The stand-off proximal end configuration may reduce migration of the deployed device and may preserve implant tissue compression. Alternative configurations may include two or more helical sections with a transition section disposed between the two or more helical sections. A device may include a right-handed helical section and a left-handed helical section and the transition section comprises a switchback transition section. The switchback section may provide greater control of the device during deployment by limiting recoiling forces of a device comprising a spring material. The deployed device may compress the lung to increase a gas filling resistance of the compressed portion of the lung, and/or increase tension and elastic recoil in other portions of the lung.

Abstract: The invention provides improved medical devices, therapeutic treatment systems, and treatment methods for treatment of the lung. A lung volume reduction system includes an implantable device having an elongate body that is sized and shaped for delivery via the airway system to a lung airway of a patient. The implant is inserted and positioned while the implant is in a delivery configuration, and is reconfigured to a deployed configuration so as to locally compress adjacent tissue of the lung, with portions of the elongate body generally moving laterally within the airway so as to laterally compress lung tissue. A plurality of such implants will often be used to treat a lung of a patient.

Abstract: A lung volume reduction system is disclosed comprising an implantable device adapted to be delivered to a lung airway of a patient in a delivery configuration and to change to a deployed configuration to bend the lung airway. The invention also discloses a method of bending a lung airway of a patient comprising inserting a device into the airway in a delivery configuration and bending the device into a deployed configuration, thereby bending the airway.

Abstract: A lung volume reduction system is disclosed comprising an implantable device adapted to be delivered to a lung airway of a patient in a delivery configuration and to change to a deployed configuration to bend the lung airway. The invention also discloses a method of bending a lung airway of a patient comprising inserting a device into the airway in a delivery configuration and bending the device into a deployed configuration, thereby bending the airway.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for use in the perfusion of organs and anatomical regions. In one aspect the present method provides a percutaneously deliverable device for supporting a vessel in a human or animal subject including means for supporting the vessel during delivery of a fluid thereto or collection of a fluid therefrom. In another aspect the invention provides a method for delivery or collection of a fluid to or from an organ or anatomical region in a human or animal subject, the method including the step of supporting a vessel associated with the organ or anatomical region. The devices and methods may be used to deliver, remove or recirculate a therapeutic agent to an organ or anatomical region.

Abstract: A vessel-occluding medical device for the use in diagnosis and/or treatment of cardiovascular disease in the human body includes an outer tube, an inner tube slidably housed within the outer tube, and a tubular sleeve comprising a generally U-shaped, direction reversing region, which moves along the length of the tubular sleeve, to assume radially contracted and radially expanded state as the inner and outer tubes move between the first and second positions. When the tubular sleeve is in the radially expanded state, the inner portion of the tubular sleeve has a funnel-shaped surface and a longitudinally-extending opening to permit material to pass therethrough for receipt of material into the inner tube.