Abstract: Mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation can be treating by implanting in the mitral annulus a transvalvular implant. The transvalvular implant has a first end, a first anchoring portion located proximate the first end, a second end, a second anchoring portion located proximate the second end, and a central portion. The transvalvular implant can include a wire form curved body The transvalvular implant can include eyelets and the center of the transvalvular implant can include an opening. The central portion can be positioned so that it extends transversely across a coaptive edge formed by the closure of the mitral valve leaflets. Tricuspid regurgitation can be treated by implanting in the tricuspid annulus a transvalvular bridge. The transvalvular bridge can have a first anchoring portion and a second anchoring portion. The transvalvular bridge can positioned so that the bridge extends transversely across a coaptive edges formed by the closure of the leaflets.

Abstract: Left atrial occlusion devices and methods of occluding a left atrial appendage. The left atrial occlusion devices can be carried by a flexible elongate member, have an inflatable member, and have a plurality of flexible elongate implant members forming a distally open cage configuration when expanded. The implant members have a flexible format to allow them to conform to the anatomy of the left atrial appendage. The distal ends of the flexible elongate member can optionally be atraumatic.

Abstract: Mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation can be treating by implanting in the mitral annulus a transvalvular implant. The transvalvular implant has a first end, a first anchoring portion located proximate the first end, a second end, a second anchoring portion located proximate the second end, and a central portion. The transvalvular implant can include a wire form curved body The transvalvular implant can include eyelets and the center of the transvalvular implant can include an opening. The central portion can be positioned so that it extends transversely across a coaptive edge formed by the closure of the mitral valve leaflets. Tricuspid regurgitation can be treated by implanting in the tricuspid annulus a transvalvular bridge. The transvalvular bridge can have a first anchoring portion and a second anchoring portion. The transvalvular bridge can positioned so that the bridge extends transversely across a coaptive edges formed by the closure of the leaflets.

Abstract: Mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation can be treating by implanting in the mitral annulus a transvalvular intraannular band. The band has a first end, a first anchoring portion located proximate the first end, a second end, a second anchoring portion located proximate the second end, and a central portion. The central portion is positioned so that it extends transversely across a coaptive edge formed by the closure of the mitral valve leaflets. The band may be implanted via translumenal access or via thoracotomy.

Abstract: A catheter is provided comprising a flexible heat transfer element provided on an outer surface of the catheter. The catheter further comprises a conduit arranged to supply an inflation fluid for inflating the flexible heat transfer element so as to form an inflated balloon, and a plurality of cooling elements arranged to cool the inflation fluid for inflating the balloon. Each cooling element comprises a first tube provided inside a second tube, wherein the first tube is substantially parallel to the second tube. The second tube is configured to receive a flow of a coolant for cooling the cooling element from the first tube.

Abstract: Mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation can be treating by implanting in the mitral annulus a transvalvular intraannular band. The band has a first end, a first anchoring portion located proximate the first end, a second end, a second anchoring portion located proximate the second end, and a central portion. The central portion is positioned so that it extends transversely across a coaptive edge formed by the closure of the mitral valve leaflets. The band may be implanted via translumenal access or via thoracotomy.

Abstract: Left atrial occlusion devices and methods of implantation. The left atrial occlusion devices can have a plurality of flexible elongate members forming a distally open cage configuration when expanded. The distal ends of the elongate members can optionally be atraumatic.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for repairing heart valves through percutaneous transcatheter delivery and fixation of annuloplasty rings to heart valves via a trans-apical approach to accessing the heart. A guiding sheath may be introduced into a ventricle of the heart through an access site at an apex of the heart. A distal end of the guiding sheath can be positioned retrograde through the target valve. An annuloplasty ring arranged in a compressed delivery geometry is advanced through the guiding sheath and into a distal portion of the guiding sheath positioned within the atrium of the heart. The distal end of the guiding sheath is retracted, thereby exposing the annuloplasty ring. The annuloplasty ring may be expanded from the delivery geometry to an operable geometry. Anchors on the annuloplasty ring may be deployed to press into and engage tissue of the annulus of the target valve.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for repairing heart valves through percutaneous transcatheter delivery and fixation of annuloplasty rings to heart valves via a trans-apical approach to accessing the heart. A guiding sheath may be introduced into a ventricle of the heart through an access site at an apex of the heart. A distal end of the guiding sheath can be positioned retrograde through the target valve. An annuloplasty ring arranged in a compressed delivery geometry is advanced through the guiding sheath and into a distal portion of the guiding sheath positioned within the atrium of the heart. The distal end of the guiding sheath is retracted, thereby exposing the annuloplasty ring. The annuloplasty ring may be expanded from the delivery geometry to an operable geometry. Anchors on the annuloplasty ring may be deployed to press into and engage tissue of the annulus of the target valve.

Abstract: A catheter is provided comprising a flexible heat transfer element provided on an outer surface of the catheter. The catheter further comprises a conduit arranged to supply an inflation fluid for inflating the flexible heat transfer element so as to form an inflated balloon, and a plurality of cooling elements arranged to cool said inflation fluid for inflating the balloon. Each cooling element comprises a first tube provided inside a second tube, wherein the first tube is substantially parallel to the second tube. The second tube is configured to receive a flow of a coolant for cooling the cooling element from the first tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides an intracardiac device suitable for minimally-invasive delivery, wherein said device comprises a device body and one more stabilizing elements attached to said device body. The stabilizing elements may be selected from the group consisting of: stabilizing wings having at least one portion with a thickness greater than that of the device body, wings comprising one or more auxiliary support arms, wings having a metal wire coil wound around them, wings having a leaf spring attached thereto, polymer-coated stabilizing wings, and mechanical stabilization elements comprising a rotatable jaw-like structure.

Abstract: Cardiac valve supports and their methods of use.

Abstract: Mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation can be treating by implanting in the mitral annulus a transvalvular intraannular band. The band has a first end, a first anchoring portion located proximate the first end, a second end, a second anchoring portion located proximate the second end, and a central portion. The central portion is positioned so that it extends transversely across a coaptive edge formed by the closure of the mitral valve leaflets. The band may be implanted via translumenal access or via thoracotomy.

Abstract: The present invention provides an intracardiac device suitable for minimally-invasive delivery, wherein said device comprises a device body and one more stabilizing elements attached to said device body. The stabilizing elements may be selected from the group consisting of: stabilizing wings having at least one portion with a thickness greater than that of the device body, wings comprising one or more auxiliary support arms, wings having a metal wire coil wound around them, wings having a leaf spring attached thereto, polymer-coated stabilizing wings, and mechanical stabilization elements comprising a rotatable jaw-like structure.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for repairing heart valves through percutaneous transcatheter delivery and fixation of annuloplasty rings to heart valves via a trans-apical approach to accessing the heart. A guiding sheath may be introduced into a ventricle of the heart through an access site at an apex of the heart. A distal end of the guiding sheath can be positioned retrograde through the target valve. An annuloplasty ring arranged in a compressed delivery geometry is advanced through the guiding sheath and into a distal portion of the guiding sheath positioned within the atrium of the heart. The distal end of the guiding sheath is retracted, thereby exposing the annuloplasty ring. The annuloplasty ring may be expanded from the delivery geometry to an operable geometry. Anchors on the annuloplasty ring may be deployed to press into and engage tissue of the annulus of the target valve.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for repairing heart valves through percutaneous transcatheter delivery and fixation of annuloplasty rings to heart valves. An annuloplasty ring includes an outer hollow member including a plurality of segments. Adjacent segments cooperate with one another to change the outer hollow member from an elongate insertion geometry to an annular operable geometry. The annuloplasty ring also includes an internal anchor member located at least partially within the outer hollow member. The internal anchor member includes a plurality of anchors configured to attach the annuloplasty ring to tissue of a heart valve annulus. The internal anchor member is configured to move the plurality of anchors with respect to a plurality of windows in the outer hollow member to selectively deploy the plurality of anchors through the respective windows.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for repairing heart valves through percutaneous transcatheter delivery and fixation of annuloplasty rings to heart valves via a trans-apical approach to accessing the heart. A guiding sheath may be introduced into a ventricle of the heart through an access site at an apex of the heart. A distal end of the guiding sheath can be positioned retrograde through the target valve. An annuloplasty ring arranged in a compressed delivery geometry is advanced through the guiding sheath and into a distal portion of the guiding sheath positioned within the atrium of the heart. The distal end of the guiding sheath is retracted, thereby exposing the annuloplasty ring. The annuloplasty ring may be expanded from the delivery geometry to an operable geometry. Anchors on the annuloplasty ring may be deployed to press into and engage tissue of the annulus of the target valve.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cardiac valve support device adapted for endovascular delivery to a cardiac valve, wherein said support device comprises either a single support element with valve leaflets connected thereto or two interconnected support elements having valve leaflets connected to one of said two elements. The invention further encompasses a two-stage method for implanting a replacement cardiac valve, wherein the first stage comprises delivering a valve support device fitted with one or more valve leaflets to a location near a subject's cardiac valve, such that said valve leaflets fulfill the function previously fulfilled by the native valve.

Abstract: Cardiac valve supports and their methods of use.

Abstract: There is provided a method of supplying cryoenergy to a plaque within a blood vessel. The method comprises expanding an expandable membrane of a catheter apparatus with a pressure of less than 5 ATM (507 kPa), the catheter apparatus having been placed in thermal contact with the plaque within the blood vessel. The method also comprises establishing a temperature of between +15° C. (288K) and ?35° C. (238K) at an interface of the expandable membrane and the blood vessel. A system and catheter apparatus are also provided.