Abstract: A delivery system includes an interventional device having a distal end portion and an introducer configured to insert the interventional device into a vessel of a patient. The introducer has a tubular sheath configured to be inserted into the vessel defining a lumen to guide the interventional device into the vessel. The introducer includes a fastening mechanism configured to releasably fasten the introducer to the interventional device to prevent movement of the introducer with respect to the interventional device along a longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A catheter device for implanting a medical implant includes an actuating element configured to move with a capsule of the catheter device and to be manually operated to bring the actuating element from a first state to a second state. A first and/or second stop is included in the catheter device. The first stop is configured to limit a movement of the actuating element and therewith of the capsule in a first direction, e.g. proximal direction (P), when the actuating element is in the first state. The second stop is configured to limit a movement of the actuating element and therewith of the capsule in a second direction, e.g. distal direction (D), when the actuating element is in the first state, so as to prevent pressing of the capsule against a catheter tip of the catheter device and/or against a capsule stop of the catheter device.

Abstract: A system and method for loading a self-expandable prosthetic device into a delivery device. The system includes a compression member that has a chamber with a tapered inner surface, a support member, a splay member and a constriction member. The compression member and the constriction member can be releasably attached to each other directly or via a spacer element, in two different positions relative to each other. The first position offers an optimal configuration for releasable attachment of the prosthetic device to the delivery device and the second position offers an optimal configuration for reducing the diameter of the delivery device. The risk of damaging the delivery device and to the prosthetic device during the loading procedure is thereby reduced.

Abstract: A system and method for loading a self-expandable prosthetic device into a delivery device. The system includes a compression member that has a chamber with a tapered inner surface, a support member, a splay member and a constriction member. The compression member and the constriction member can be releasably attached to each other directly or via a spacer element, in two different positions relative to each other. The first position offers an optimal configuration for releasable attachment of the prosthetic device to the delivery device and the second position offers an optimal configuration for reducing the diameter of the delivery device. The risk of damaging the delivery device and to the prosthetic device during the loading procedure is thereby reduced.

Abstract: A delivery catheter includes an inner shaft having an atraumatic distal catheter tip. The inner shaft is configured to carry the implant thereon. The catheter tip includes a region that is fixed to the inner shaft and a region that is deformable and not fixed to the inner shaft. An outer shaft surrounds the inner shaft and is displaceable relative thereto. An implant capsule at a distal end of the outer shaft is configured to encase the implant and to release the implant at the target site via relative displacement of the inner and outer shafts. A plunger is axially displaceable with respect to the catheter tip in response to movement of the outer shaft to apply axial compressive force to the catheter tip and deform the region that is deformable and expand that region radially.

Abstract: A delivery catheter for implanting a self-expanding implant such as a cardiovascular implant. An outer catheter shaft is formed as an implant capsule for encasing the implant during delivery. A flexible distal support element having a substantially truncated cone-shaped portion, which tapers in the proximal direction, is attached, directly proximally of the implant, in a fixed position to a first, inner catheter shaft, and/or a flexible proximal support element having a substantially truncated cone-shaped portion, which tapers in the proximal direction, is inserted at the proximal end of the implant capsule into the second, outer catheter shaft in a fixed position.

Abstract: A system for mounting a heart valve prosthesis on a catheter shaft, the system having at least two components, each component at least partially enclosing a rotation-symmetrical space tapering along an axis of symmetry, the at least two components being designed in such a way that a relative movement of the at least two components along a longitudinal axis of a heart valve prosthesis to be mounted can take place toward one another and into one another in such a way that a space enclosed jointly by the at least two components is decreased. At least one component has a mandrel, which is oriented centrally in the space enclosed by the component and is located on the axis of symmetry of the rotation-symmetrical space.

Abstract: A system and a method for crimping a heart valve prosthesis onto a catheter shaft. The system comprises two components (1, 2) which receive the heart valve prosthesis (12) and are inserted into one another in the direction (14) in order to crimp the heart valve prosthesis (12).

Abstract: A prosthesis delivery handle with a bushing (66) with two adjacent internal threads (64, 74) with different diameters and pitch surrounding a tubular threaded first shaft member (36) cooperating with the first thread (64) and a second inner member with a protrusion (82) extending through an axial slot in the tubular first member such that the protrusion runs in the second thread (74). First and second members are connected to an external shaft (112) and an internal element (102) so that when the bushing is rotated first and second members travel axially with different speeds the internal shaft and an external shaft move accordingly.

Abstract: A delivery catheter includes an inner shaft having an atraumatic distal catheter tip. The inner shaft is configured to carry the implant thereon. The catheter tip includes a region that is fixed to the inner shaft and a region that is deformable and not fixed to the inner shaft. An outer shaft surrounds the inner shaft and is displaceable relative thereto. An implant capsule at a distal end of the outer shaft is configured to encase the implant and to release the implant at the target site via relative displacement of the inner and outer shafts. A plunger is axially displaceable with respect to the catheter tip in response to movement of the outer shaft to apply axial compressive force to the catheter tip and deform the region that is deformable and expand that region radially.

Abstract: A crimping tool and method for reducing an external dimension of a compressible prosthetic device, the crimping tool comprising a first member comprising a first control surface collapsible between a first state and a second state, the first member having a first open end configured for introducing the prosthetic device when the first control surface is in the first state, and a second open end configured for allowing locking of the prosthetic device when introduced into the first member; an engagement portion that moves the first control surface from the first state to the second state; and an actuator portion for moving the first member along the longitudinal axis allowing the engagement portion to interact with the first member.

Abstract: A delivery catheter for implanting a self-expanding implant such as a cardiovascular implant. An outer catheter shaft is formed as an implant capsule for encasing the implant during delivery. A flexible distal support element having a substantially truncated cone-shaped portion, which tapers in the proximal direction, is attached, directly proximally of the implant, in a fixed position to a first, inner catheter shaft, and/or a flexible proximal support element having a substantially truncated cone-shaped portion, which tapers in the proximal direction, is inserted at the proximal end of the implant capsule into the second, outer catheter shaft in a fixed position.

Abstract: A crimping tool and method for reducing an external dimension of a compressible prosthetic device, said the crimping tool comprising a first member comprising a first control surface collapsible between a first state and a second state, the first member having a first open end configured for introducing the prosthetic device when the first control surface is in the first state, and a second open end configured for allowing locking of the prosthetic device when introduced into the first member; an engagement portion that moves the first control surface from the first state to the second state; and an actuator portion for moving the first member along the longitudinal axis allowing the engagement portion to interact with the first member.

Abstract: A prosthesis delivery handle with a bushing (66) with two adjacent internal threads (64, 74) with different diameters and pitch surrounding a tubular threaded first shaft member (36) cooperating with the first thread (64) and a second inner member with a protrusion (82) extending through an axial slot in the tubular first member such that the protrusion runs in the second thread (74). First and second members are connected to an external shaft (112) and an internal element (102) so that when the bushing is rotated first and second members travel axially with different speeds the internal shaft and an external shaft move accordingly.

Abstract: A system and a method for crimping a heart valve prosthesis onto a catheter shaft. The system comprises two components (1, 2) which receive the heart valve prosthesis (12) and are inserted into one another in the direction (14) in order to crimp the heart valve prosthesis (12).

Abstract: A catheter system for inserting a self-expanding stent into a bodily vessel. The catheter (1) has a movable sleeve (30), which holds the self-expanding stent in the space (2) when being positioned in the bodily vessel. As the self-expanding stent is released, the sleeve is pushed back by means of the application of fluid to the balloon (20). Here, the movable sleeve (30) can be moved proximally or distally in a precise manner by adjusting the pressure ratio in the balloons (20, 23). A controlled release and renewed capture of the self-expanding stent are possible accordingly.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the position of correspondence object pairs including A-objects and B-objects that represent the same objects of the same anatomical body structure in two different reference frames A and B, including: defining A-objects and B-objects that each represent different objects of the body structure in their respective reference frames; determining geometric relationship data A and geometric relationship data B that describe a geometric relationship between the A-objects based on positions of the A-objects in the reference frame A and the B-objects in the B reference frame; and providing data derived or extracted from the geometric relationship data A and from the geometric relationship data B to allow a comparison of a geometric relationship between at least two A-objects to a geometric relationship between at least two B-objects.

Abstract: A method for registering an anatomical structure using at least one marker attached to the structure includes: obtaining a three-dimensional model of the structure via an imaging method; obtaining at least two two-dimensional recordings of the structure from different angles; and ascertaining a spatial position and location of the three-dimensional model or a position and location of the three-dimensional model in a patient coordinate system based on a matching method that uses the position of the at least one marker in the at least two two-dimensional mappings such that the three-dimensional model of the structure matches the structure.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the position of correspondence object pairs including A-objects and B-objects that represent the same objects of the same anatomical body structure in two different reference frames A and B, including: defining A-objects and B-objects that each represent different objects of the body structure in their respective reference frames; determining geometric relationship data A and geometric relationship data B that describe a geometric relationship between the A-objects based on positions of the A-objects in the reference frame A and the B-objects in the B reference frame; and providing data derived or extracted from the geometric relationship data A and from the geometric relationship data B to allow a comparison of a geometric relationship between at least two A-objects to a geometric relationship between at least two B-objects.

Abstract: A method for registering an anatomical structure using at least one marker attached to the structure includes: obtaining a three-dimensional model of the structure via an imaging method; obtaining at least two two-dimensional recordings of the structure from different angles; and ascertaining a spatial position and location of the three-dimensional model or a position and location of the three-dimensional model in a patient coordinate system based on a matching method that uses the position of the at least one marker in the at least two two-dimensional mappings such that the three-dimensional model of the structure matches the structure.