Abstract: Delivery devices for a stented prosthetic heart valve. The delivery device includes a spindle, at least one cord, and a covering feature associated with the spindle for selectively covering at least a portion of a stented prosthetic heart valve tethered to the spindle in a delivery state. In some embodiments, the covering feature includes a tip mounted to the spindle. The tip can include an overhang region for selectively covering a portion of the stented prosthetic heart valve. In other embodiments, the tip can include a tip body and a compressible foam bumper. In yet other embodiments, the covering feature includes an outer sheath arranged to selectively cover the stented prosthetic heart valve. The outer sheath can be elastic and stretchable for recapturing a partially expanded prosthesis, for example by including one or more windows covered by a stretchable covering layer.

Abstract: Delivery devices for a stented prosthetic heart valve. The delivery device includes a spindle, at least one cord, and a lateral control feature. The cord is tensioned to crimp the prosthesis to a compressed condition for delivery to a target site. Tension is lessened to allow the prosthesis to self-expand. In a tethered and expanded state in which the prosthesis has self-expanded and is connected to the spindle by the cord, the lateral control feature directs the spindle to a prescribed location relative to the prosthesis appropriate for a functional evaluation of the prosthesis. In some embodiments, the spindle is directed to a center of the prosthesis; in other embodiments, the spindle is held at a commissure of the prosthesis. The lateral control features of the present disclosure assume numerous forms.

Abstract: Numerous delivery devices for delivery of a stented prosthesis, such as a stented prosthetic heart valve. Various delivery devices include a capsule that is advanced proximally to retain the stented prosthesis, which is secured over an inner shaft assembly of the delivery device. The delivery device further includes a bumper or bumper assembly to provide a smooth transition of the capsule over the stented prosthesis. In some alternate disclosed embodiments, the bumper further serves to connect various elements of the inner shaft assembly. Additional embodiments include a bumper assembly arranged and configured to longitudinally expand and contract to substantially fill any open space as the capsule is retracted from the stented prosthesis, which prevents kinking in the capsule. Additional embodiments include proximal and/or distal bumpers for temporarily covering and smoothing the ends of the stented prosthesis as part of a delivery device that does not include a capsule.

Abstract: Numerous delivery devices for delivery of a stented prosthesis, such as a stented prosthetic heart valve. Various delivery devices include a capsule that is advanced proximally to retain the stented prosthesis, which is secured over an inner shaft assembly of the delivery device. The delivery device further includes a bumper or bumper assembly to provide a smooth transition of the capsule over the stented prosthesis. In some alternate disclosed embodiments, the bumper further serves to connect various elements of the inner shaft assembly. Additional embodiments include a bumper assembly arranged and configured to longitudinally expand and contract to substantially fill any open space as the capsule is retracted from the stented prosthesis, which prevents kinking in the capsule. Additional embodiments include proximal and/or distal bumpers for temporarily covering and smoothing the ends of the stented prosthesis as part of a delivery device that does not include a capsule.

Abstract: Numerous delivery devices for delivery of a stented prosthesis, such as a stented prosthetic heart valve. Various delivery devices include a capsule that is advanced proximally to retain the stented prosthesis, which is secured over an inner shaft assembly of the delivery device. The delivery device further includes a bumper or bumper assembly to provide a smooth transition of the capsule over the stented prosthesis. In some alternate disclosed embodiments, the bumper further serves to connect various elements of the inner shaft assembly. Additional embodiments include a bumper assembly arranged and configured to longitudinally expand and contract to substantially fill any open space as the capsule is retracted from the stented prosthesis, which prevents kinking in the capsule. Additional embodiments include proximal and/or distal bumpers for temporarily covering and smoothing the ends of the stented prosthesis as part of a delivery device that does not include a capsule.

Abstract: Numerous delivery devices for delivery of a stented prosthesis, such as a stented prosthetic heart valve. Various delivery devices include a capsule that is advanced proximally to retain the stented prosthesis, which is secured over an inner shaft assembly of the delivery device. The delivery device further includes a bumper or bumper assembly to provide a smooth transition of the capsule over the stented prosthesis. In some alternate disclosed embodiments, the bumper further serves to connect various elements of the inner shaft assembly. Additional embodiments include a bumper assembly arranged and configured to longitudinally expand and contract to substantially fill any open space as the capsule is retracted from the stented prosthesis, which prevents kinking in the capsule. Additional embodiments include proximal and/or distal bumpers for temporarily covering and smoothing the ends of the stented prosthesis as part of a delivery device that does not include a capsule.

Abstract: Delivery devices for a stented prosthetic heart valve. The delivery device includes a spindle, at least one cord, and a covering feature associated with the spindle for selectively covering at least a portion of a stented prosthetic heart valve tethered to the spindle in a delivery state. In some embodiments, the covering feature includes a tip mounted to the spindle. The tip can include an overhang region for selectively covering a portion of the stented prosthetic heart valve. In other embodiments, the tip can include a tip body and a compressible foam bumper. In yet other embodiments, the covering feature includes an outer sheath arranged to selectively cover the stented prosthetic heart valve. The outer sheath can be elastic and stretchable for recapturing a partially expanded prosthesis, for example by including one or more windows covered by a stretchable covering layer.

Abstract: Delivery devices for a stented prosthetic heart valve. The delivery device includes a spindle, at least one cord, and a lateral control feature. The cord is tensioned to crimp the prosthesis to a compressed condition for delivery to a target site. Tension is lessened to allow the prosthesis to self-expand. In a tethered and expanded state in which the prosthesis has self-expanded and is connected to the spindle by the cord, the lateral control feature directs the spindle to a prescribed location relative to the prosthesis appropriate for a functional evaluation of the prosthesis. In some embodiments, the spindle is directed to a center of the prosthesis; in other embodiments, the spindle is held at a commissure of the prosthesis. The lateral control features of the present disclosure assume numerous forms.

Abstract: Delivery devices for a stented prosthetic heart valve. The delivery device includes a spindle, at least one cord, and a lateral control feature. The cord is tensioned to crimp the prosthesis to a compressed condition for delivery to a target site. Tension is lessened to allow the prosthesis to self-expand. In a tethered and expanded state in which the prosthesis has self-expanded and is connected to the spindle by the cord, the lateral control feature directs the spindle to a prescribed location relative to the prosthesis appropriate for a functional evaluation of the prosthesis. In some embodiments, the spindle is directed to a center of the prosthesis; in other embodiments, the spindle is held at a commissure of the prosthesis. The lateral control features of the present disclosure assume numerous forms.

Abstract: Delivery devices for a stented prosthetic heart valve. The delivery device includes a spindle, at least one cord, and a covering feature associated with the spindle for selectively covering at least a portion of a stented prosthetic heart valve tethered to the spindle in a delivery state. In some embodiments, the covering feature includes a tip mounted to the spindle. The tip can include an overhang region for selectively covering a portion of the stented prosthetic heart valve. In other embodiments, the tip can include a tip body and a compressible foam bumper. In yet other embodiments, the covering feature includes an outer sheath arranged to selectively cover the stented prosthetic heart valve. The outer sheath can be elastic and stretchable for recapturing a partially expanded prosthesis, for example by including one or more windows covered by a stretchable covering layer.

Abstract: Delivery devices for a stented prosthetic heart valve. The delivery device includes a spindle, at least one cord, and a lateral control feature. The cord is tensioned to crimp the prosthesis to a compressed condition for delivery to a target site. Tension is lessened to allow the prosthesis to self-expand. In a tethered and expanded state in which the prosthesis has self-expanded and is connected to the spindle by the cord, the lateral control feature directs the spindle to a prescribed location relative to the prosthesis appropriate for a functional evaluation of the prosthesis. In some embodiments, the spindle is directed to a center of the prosthesis; in other embodiments, the spindle is held at a commissure of the prosthesis. The lateral control features of the present disclosure assume numerous forms.

Abstract: Delivery devices for a stented prosthetic heart valve. The delivery device includes a spindle, at least one cord, and a covering feature associated with the spindle for selectively covering at least a portion of a stented prosthetic heart valve tethered to the spindle in a delivery state. In some embodiments, the covering feature includes a tip mounted to the spindle. The tip can include an overhang region for selectively covering a portion of the stented prosthetic heart valve. In other embodiments, the tip can include a tip body and a compressible foam bumper. In yet other embodiments, the covering feature includes an outer sheath arranged to selectively cover the stented prosthetic heart valve. The outer sheath can be elastic and stretchable for recapturing a partially expanded prosthesis, for example by including one or more windows covered by a stretchable covering layer.

Abstract: Numerous delivery devices for delivery of a stented prosthesis, such as a stented prosthetic heart valve. Various delivery devices include a capsule that is advanced proximally to retain the stented prosthesis, which is secured over an inner shaft assembly of the delivery device. The delivery device further includes a bumper or bumper assembly to provide a smooth transition of the capsule over the stented prosthesis. In some alternate disclosed embodiments, the bumper further serves to connect various elements of the inner shaft assembly. Additional embodiments include a bumper assembly arranged and configured to longitudinally expand and contract to substantially fill any open space as the capsule is retracted from the stented prosthesis, which prevents kinking in the capsule. Additional embodiments include proximal and/or distal bumpers for temporarily covering and smoothing the ends of the stented prosthesis as part of a delivery device that does not include a capsule.

Abstract: Catheter apparatuses, systems, and methods for achieving renal neuromodulation by intravascular access are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed to a treatment device having a multi-electrode array configured to be delivered to a renal blood vessel. The array is selectively transformable between a delivery or low-profile state (e.g., a generally straight shape) and a deployed state (e.g., a radially expanded, generally helical shape). The multi-electrode array is sized and shaped so that the electrodes or energy delivery elements contact an interior wall of the renal blood vessel when the array is in the deployed (e.g., helical) state. The electrodes or energy delivery elements are configured for direct and/or indirect application of thermal and/or electrical energy to heat or otherwise electrically modulate neural fibers that contribute to renal function or of vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for loading a therapeutic substance or drug within a lumenal space of a hollow wire having a plurality of side openings along a length thereof that forms a hollow drug-eluting stent with a plurality of side drug delivery openings. Loading a drug within the lumenal space of the hollow stent includes a drug filling step, in which the drug is mixed with a solvent or dispersion medium. The lumenal space may be filled with the drug solution or suspension in a reverse fill process and/or a forward fill process. After the drug filling step, a solvent or dispersion medium extracting step is performed to extract the solvent or dispersion medium from within the lumenal space such that only the drug remains within the hollow stent. A stent cleaning step may be performed to an exterior surface of the hollow stent.

Abstract: Catheter apparatuses, systems, and methods for achieving renal neuromodulation by intravascular access are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed to a treatment device having a multi-electrode array configured to be delivered to a renal blood vessel. The array is selectively transformable between a delivery or low-profile state (e.g., a generally straight shape) and a deployed state (e.g., a radially expanded, generally helical shape). The multi-electrode array is sized and shaped so that the electrodes or energy delivery elements contact an interior wall of the renal blood vessel when the array is in the deployed (e.g., helical) state. The electrodes or energy delivery elements are configured for direct and/or indirect application of thermal and/or electrical energy to heat or otherwise electrically modulate neural fibers that contribute to renal function or of vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers.

Abstract: An obstruction removal system for percutaneous removal of clots or obstructions within the vascular system is disclosed. The obstruction removal system includes a multi-lumen catheter with a plurality of circulating capture devices attached to or integral with a drive belt. The circulating capture or interference devices affect removal of the clot or obstruction bit-by-bit through a series of passes. The obstruction removal system may include one or more drive mechanisms, such as a pulley system and/or a vacuum source and/or a pressurization source, on its proximal end for driving the drive belt and capture devices through the catheter in a circulating manner. The obstruction removal system may also include one or more cleaning mechanisms, such as a vacuum chamber and/or a fluid rinse chamber, for removing the captured clot pieces from the capture devices.

Abstract: An obstruction removal system for percutaneous removal of clots or obstructions within the vascular system is disclosed. The obstruction removal system includes a multi-lumen catheter with a plurality of circulating capture devices occurring along a drive belt. The plurality of capture devices may be basket-like devices attached to the drive belt, or may be formed by integral coiled or protuberant sections of the drive belt. The circulating capture or interference devices affect removal of the clot or obstruction bit-by-bit through a series of passes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for loading a therapeutic substance or drug within a lumenal space of a hollow wire having a plurality of side openings along a length thereof that forms a hollow drug-eluting stent with a plurality of side drug delivery openings. Loading a drug within the lumenal space of the hollow stent includes a drug filling step, in which the drug is mixed with a solvent or dispersion medium. The lumenal space may be filled with the drug solution or suspension in a reverse fill process and/or a forward fill process. After the drug filling step, a solvent or dispersion medium extracting step is performed to extract the solvent or dispersion medium from within the lumenal space such that only the drug remains within the hollow stent. A stent cleaning step may be performed to an exterior surface of the hollow stent.

Abstract: A stent loading and delivery system includes a delivery catheter having a catheter lumen, a stent loading assembly adjacent a distal end of the delivery catheter, and a braided stent disposed on the stent loading assembly. The stent loading assembly is configured to retain the stent in an expanded state until just prior to insertion into a patient at which time the stent loading assembly elongates and compresses the stent into a delivery configuration.