Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthetic heart valve includes advancing a distal end portion of a catheter shaft through a patient's vasculature. The distal end portion of the catheter shaft includes an expansion device. A prosthetic heart valve is mounted on the expansion device with the expansion device and the prosthetic heart valve in a compressed configuration. The method further includes positioning the distal end portion of the catheter shaft and the prosthetic heart valve to an implantation location and expanding the prosthetic heart valve and the expansion device to an expanded configuration. The expansion device includes a main body and a plurality of projections extending radially from the main body. The projections are spaced apart relative to each such that there are grooves extending between adjacent projections providing perfusion passageways between the expansion device and the prosthetic heart valve when the expansion device is in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A stabilizing unit for a medical device includes a base member, a housing, a stabilizing fork, one or more springs, and a retaining arm. The housing has a lower housing portion and an upper housing portion connected to the lower housing portion. The lower housing portion is disposed in a laterally extending slot of the base member. The stabilizing fork is disposed in the upper housing portion. The one or more springs extend into the stabilizing fork. The retaining arm is slidably coupled to the upper housing portion. The retaining arm retains the stabilizing fork in the upper housing portion.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic device comprises a spacer body portion configured to be disposed between native leaflets of a heart, and an anchor portion configured to secure the native leaflets against the spacer body portion. The prosthetic device can be movable between multiple configurations. Each anchor is configured to be positioned behind a native valve leaflet of the two native leaflets such that the native leaflet is captured between the anchor and the spacer body.

Abstract: An implantable device includes an adjustable spacer and at least one anchor. The adjustable spacer is configured to be positioned between native heart valve leaflets to reduce regurgitation therebetween. An clastic or stretchable cover is part of or disposed over the adjustable spacer.

Abstract: A steerable catheter includes a shaft and a pull wire. The shaft includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The shaft includes an inner layer that defines an inner lumen of the shaft. The shaft comprises an outer layer that defines an outer diameter of the shaft. The shaft comprises a pull-wire lumen between the inner layer and the outer layer. The pull wire extends through the pull-wire lumen. The pull wire has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The distal end portion of the pull wire is fixed to the distal portion of the shaft. The proximal end portion of the pull wire extends radially outward of the outer layer. Increasing tension in the pull wire curves the distal portion of the shaft.

Abstract: An implantable device includes an adjustable spacer and at least one anchor. The adjustable spacer is configured to be positioned between native heart valve leaflets to reduce regurgitation therebetween. The adjustable spacer can comprise a first side and a second side opposite the first side. Each side can be adjustable between a first width and a second width. Each side can be independently moved between the first width and the second width. The adjustable spacer can be made from a sponge material.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus includes a steerable guide sheath. The steerable guide sheath has a steerable portion, a pull ring located in the distal portion, and a pull wire coupled at one end to the pull ring and coupled at the opposite end to a control handle. The pull wire extends longitudinally through a pull-wire conduit. The steerable guide sheath further includes a compression-resistance portion made of metal and located in the distal portion.

Abstract: A valve repair system for repairing a native valve of a patient includes a catheter and a valve repair device. The valve repair device is disposed in the catheter. The valve repair device comprises a compressible spacer and a pair of paddles. The pair of paddles are moveable between an open position and a closed position. The valve repair device can transition to a compressed configuration with the compressible spacer between the pair of paddles in the closed position.

Abstract: A valve repair device for repairing a native valve of a patient includes a pair of paddles and an expanding spacer. The paddles are movable between an open position and a closed position. The expanding spacer is disposed between the pair of paddles. The expanding spacer is configured to be expanded between the paddles when the paddles are moved from the open position to the closed position. The expanding spacer is configured to fill at least a portion of a gap in the native valve of the patient when the valve repair device is attached to the native valve and the expanding spacer is expanded.

Abstract: A delivery handle for implanting a prosthetic device at one of a mitral, aortic, tricuspid, and pulmonary valve region of a human heart includes a housing and an actuation control mechanism. The actuation control mechanism includes a knob and an actuation tube. The knob is rotatably coupled to the housing. The actuation tube is coupled to the knob such that rotation of the knob in a first direction moves the actuation tube distally relative to the housing and rotation of the knob in a second direction moves the actuation tube proximally relative to the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are steerable catheter assemblies that utilize various mechanisms to accomplish independent control of catheter flex magnitude and catheter flex direction to provide improved steerability of an attached catheter. Some embodiments include a catheter with two or more pull wires that flex the catheter and a control handle coupled to the catheter. The control handle can include a direction control coupled to the two or more pull wires such that adjustment of the direction control adjusts a direction of catheter flex by the two or more pull wires, and the control handle can include a magnitude control coupled to the two or more pull wires such that adjustment of the magnitude control adjusts the magnitude of catheter flex.

Abstract: A system for implanting a repair device onto a native valve of a natural heart to repairing the native valve of a patient during a non-open-heart procedure. The system includes a pair of paddles and a pair of gripping members. The paddles are moveable between an open position and a closed position. The gripping members can have different configurations for effective attachment and release from the native valve of the patient.

Abstract: A valve repair delivery handle includes a housing, an actuation control mechanism, and a clasp control mechanism. The actuation control mechanism includes a knob and an actuation tube. The knob is rotatably coupled to the housing. The actuation tube is coupled to the knob such that rotation of the knob in a first direction moves the actuation tube distally relative to the housing and rotation of the knob in a second direction moves the actuation tube proximally relative to the housing. The clasp control mechanism is coupled to the housing.

Abstract: In one representative embodiment, an implantable prosthetic device comprises a spacer body portion configured to be disposed between native leaflets of a heart, and an anchor portion configured to secure the native leaflets against the spacer body portion. The prosthetic device can be movable between multiple configurations. The spacer body can be configured to extend radially outwardly as the spacer body extends away from the distal end toward the proximal end. A delivery apparatus can have a first shaft and a second shaft, wherein movement of the first shaft relative to the second shaft moves the anchor portion relative to the spacer body.

Abstract: Steerable-catheter control handles and catheter assemblies that include pull wires and direction and magnitude controls on the handle operable such that adjustment of the direction and magnitude controls adjusts a direction and degree of catheter flex, thereby to steer the catheter as an operator directs.

Abstract: A valve repair device for repairing a native valve of a patient. The valve repair device includes a base, a first paddle, a second paddle, and a rack and pinion mechanism. The first paddle is pivotally connected to the base. The second paddle is pivotally connected to the base. The rack and pinion mechanism is coupled to the first paddle and the second paddle. The rack and pinion mechanism is configured to move the first paddle and the second paddle between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are catheter control handles that include various mechanisms for controlling the circumferential angle and radial magnitude of flexion of an attached catheter. Control handles can comprise a housing. Control wires extend from a distal end of the housing and into a steerable transluminal device. A flex control member is operable to control tension on the pull wires to adjust a magnitude of radial flexion of the steerable transluminal device. A position control member is operable to control tension on the pull wires to adjust a circumferential angle in which the radial flexion of the steerable transluminal device is directed.

Abstract: Steerable catheter control handles and catheter assemblies that include pull wires and direction and magnitude controls on the handle operable such that adjustment of the direction and magnitude controls adjusts a direction and degree of catheter flex, thereby to steer the catheter as an operator directs.

Abstract: A valve repair devices and systems for repairing a native valve of a patient include a spacer, a plurality of paddles, and a plurality of moveable clasp arms. The plurality of moveable clasp arms are disposed between the plurality of paddles and the spacer. The moveable clasp arms are configured to attach to leaflets of a heart valve.

Abstract: A valve repair system for repairing a native valve of a patient during a non-open-heart procedure includes a delivery device and a valve repair device. The valve repair device include a pair of paddles, first gripping member, a second gripping member, and a spacer. First and second gripping member controls or first and second gripping member control portions are coupled to the first and second gripping members to move the gripping members. The spacer element is configured to close a gap in the native valve of the patient when the valve repair device is attached to the native valve.