Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for treating conditions such as heart failure and/or pulmonary hypertension by at least partially occluding flow through the superior vena cava for an interval spanning multiple cardiac cycles. A catheter with an occlusion device is provided along with a controller that actuates a drive mechanism to provide at least partial occlusion of the patient's superior vena cava, which reduces cardiac filling pressures, and induces a favorable shift in the patient's Frank-Starling curve towards healthy heart functionality and improved cardiac performance. The system may include sensors to determine the degree of occlusion of the superior vena cava. The occlusion system may be used to reduce volume in a heart and facilitate a cardiac procedure. The occlusion system may be used to relieve an overloaded chamber during and/or after deploying a VAD.

Abstract: An extension cannula for use with a conventional ECMO return cannula is provided. The extension cannula includes a flexible conduit transitionable between a collapsed insertion state and an expanded deployed state when in communication with blood flow from an ECMO machine via the ECMO return cannula. The extension cannula may be positioned through a conventional ECMO return cannula such that the proximal end of the flexible conduit is disposed within and proximal to the end of the ECMO return cannula, while the distal end of the flexible conduit is disposed in a patient's thoracic aorta to deliver oxygenated blood directly to the patient's thoracic aorta via one or more pores at the distal region of the flexible conduit to improve cerebral oxygenation, maintain systemic arterial pulsatility, and reduce the potential for end-organ injury.

Abstract: We provide herein a method of preventing or limiting the effects of heart failure in a human patient that has sustained myocardial infarction by reducing maladaptive cardiac remodeling in the patient. The method comprises percutaneously inserting a transvalvular blood pump, comprising a rotor and a cannula, into the patient's vasculature and positioning the cannula across the aortic valve of the patient's heart, with a distal end of the cannula located in the left ventricle of the heart and a proximal end of the pump located in the aorta. The method then comprises, prior to reperfusing the heart, operating the positioned pump to unload the left ventricle at a pumping rate of at least 2.5 L/min of blood flow for a support period between at least 30 minutes and less than 60 minutes. Then, after the support period, the method comprises applying coronary reperfusion therapy to the heart.

Abstract: An extension cannula for use with a conventional ECMO return cannula is provided. The extension cannula includes a flexible conduit transitionable between a collapsed insertion state and an expanded deployed state when in communication with blood flow from an ECMO machine via the ECMO return cannula. The extension cannula may be positioned through a conventional ECMO return cannula such that the proximal end of the flexible conduit is disposed within and proximal to the end of the ECMO return cannula, while the distal end of the flexible conduit is disposed in a patient's thoracic aorta to deliver oxygenated blood directly to the patient's thoracic aorta via one or more pores at the distal region of the flexible conduit to improve cerebral oxygenation, maintain systemic arterial pulsatility, and reduce the potential for end-organ injury.

Abstract: Systems and methods and devices are provided for treating conditions such as heart failure and/or pulmonary hypertension by at least partially occluding flow through the superior vena cava for an interval spanning multiple cardiac cycles. A catheter with an occlusion device is provided along with a controller that actuates a drive mechanism to provide at least partial occlusion of the patient’s superior vena cava, which reduces cardiac filling pressures, and induces a favorable shift in the patient’s Frank-Starling curve towards healthy heart functionality and improved cardiac performance. The occlusion device may include a lumen obstructed by a relief valve that may permit fluid flow through the occlusion device to release an excessive build-up of pressure.

Abstract: An extension cannula for use with a conventional ECMO return cannula is provided. The extension cannula includes a flexible conduit transitionable between a collapsed insertion state and an expanded deployed state when in communication with blood flow from an ECMO machine via the ECMO return cannula. The extension cannula may be positioned through a conventional ECMO return cannula such that the proximal end of the flexible conduit is disposed within and proximal to the end of the ECMO return cannula, while the distal end of the flexible conduit is disposed in a patient's thoracic aorta to deliver oxygenated blood directly to the patient's thoracic aorta via one or more pores at the distal region of the flexible conduit to improve cerebral oxygenation, maintain systemic arterial pulsatility, and reduce the potential for end-organ injury.

Abstract: Systems and methods and devices are provided for treating conditions such as heart failure and/or pulmonary hypertension by at least partially occluding flow through the superior vena cava for an interval spanning multiple cardiac cycles. A catheter with an occlusion device is provided along with a controller that actuates a drive mechanism to provide at least partial occlusion of the patient's superior vena cava, which reduces cardiac filling pressures, and induces a favorable shift in the patient's Frank-Starling curve towards healthy heart functionality and improved cardiac performance. The occlusion device may include a lumen obstructed by a relief valve that may permit fluid flow through the occlusion device to release an excessive build-up of pressure.

Abstract: An extension cannula and in-line connector for use with a conventional ECMO return cannula is provided. The extension cannula includes a flexible conduit transitionable between a collapsed insertion state and an expanded deployed state when in communication with blow flow from an ECMO machine via the ECMO return cannula. The extension cannula may be positioned through a conventional ECMO return cannula such that the proximal end of the flexible conduit is disposed within and proximal to the end of the ECMO return cannula, while the distal end of the flexible conduit is disposed in a patient's thoracic aorta to deliver oxygenated blood directly to the patient's thoracic aorta via one or more pores at the distal region of the flexible conduit to improve cerebral oxygenation, maintain systemic arterial pulsatility, and reduce the potential for end-organ injury.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for treating conditions such as heart failure and/or pulmonary hypertension by at least partially occluding flow through the superior vena cava for an interval spanning multiple cardiac cycles. A catheter with an occlusion device is provided along with a controller that actuates a drive mechanism to provide at least partial occlusion of the patient's superior vena cava, which reduces cardiac filling pressures, and induces a favorable shift in the patient's Frank-Starling curve towards healthy heart functionality and improved cardiac performance. The system may include sensors to determine the degree of occlusion of the superior vena cava. The occlusion system may be used to reduce volume in a heart and facilitate a cardiac procedure. The occlusion system may be used to relieve an overloaded chamber during and/or after deploying a VAD.

Abstract: An extension cannula and in-line connector for use with a conventional ECMO return cannula is provided. The extension cannula includes a flexible conduit transitionable between a collapsed insertion state and an expanded deployed state when in communication with blow flow from an ECMO machine via the ECMO return cannula. The extension cannula may be positioned through a conventional ECMO return cannula such that the proximal end of the flexible conduit is disposed within and proximal to the end of the ECMO return cannula, while the distal end of the flexible conduit is disposed in a patient's thoracic aorta to deliver oxygenated blood directly to the patient's thoracic aorta via one or more pores at the distal region of the flexible conduit to improve cerebral oxygenation, maintain systemic arterial pulsatility, and reduce the potential for end-organ injury.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for accessing a renal capsule of a patient's kidney in a minimally invasive manner for therapeutic and/or diagnostic purposes. The method includes advancing the distal end of a catheter into the subcapsular space of the renal capsule and performing the therapeutic and/or diagnostic procedure(s). With access to the renal capsule, the catheter may be used to, for example, remove fluid from the subscapular space, decapsulate the renal capsule by disrupting the fibrous capsule of the renal capsule to relieve renal pressure, displace the fibrous capsule from the kidney, measure/monitor renal pressure within the kidney, and/or deliver drug therapy and/or stem cells, viruses for gene therapy, RNAi, nanoparticles, dyes, etc. to the subcapsular space of the renal capsule.

Abstract: An extension cannula and in-line connector for use with a conventional ECMO return cannula is provided. The extension cannula includes a self-expanding conduit transitionable between a collapsed insertion state and an expanded, deployed state via a retractable sheath. The extension cannula may be inserted through a conventional ECMO return cannula such that the proximal end of the self-expanding conduit is disposed within and proximal to the end of the conventional ECMO cannula, while the distal end of the self-expanding conduit is disposed in a patient's thoracic aorta to improve cerebral oxygenation, maintain systemic arterial pulsatility, and reduce the potential for end-organ injury. The extension cannula and/or in-line connector may be used to permit delivery of additional interventional or vascular equipment using a single port of access, thereby avoiding complications associated with contemporary VA-ECMO.

Abstract: An extension cannula and in-line connector for use with a conventional ECMO return cannula is provided. The extension cannula includes a self-expanding conduit transitionable between a collapsed insertion state and an expanded, deployed state via a retractable sheath. The extension cannula may be inserted through a conventional ECMO return cannula such that the proximal end of the self-expanding conduit is disposed within and proximal to the end of the conventional ECMO cannula, while the distal end of the self-expanding conduit is disposed in a patient's thoracic aorta to improve cerebral oxygenation, maintain systemic arterial pulsatility, and reduce the potential for end-organ injury. The extension cannula and/or in-line connector may be used to permit delivery of additional interventional or vascular equipment using a single port of access, thereby avoiding complications associated with contemporary VA-ECMO.

Abstract: Systems and methods and devices are provided for treating conditions such as heart failure and/or pulmonary hypertension by at least partially occluding flow through the superior vena cava for an interval spanning multiple cardiac cycles. A catheter with an occlusion device is provided along with a controller that actuates a drive mechanism to provide at least partial occlusion of the patients superior vena cava, which reduces cardiac filling pressures, and induces a favorable shift in the patients Frank-Starling curve towards healthy heart functionality and improved cardiac performance. The occlusion device may include a lumen obstructed by a relief valve that may permit fluid flow through the occlusion device to release an excessive build-up of pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods and devices are provided for treating conditions such as heart failure and/or pulmonary hypertension by at least partially occluding flow through the superior vena cava for an interval spanning multiple cardiac cycles. A catheter with an occlusion device is provided along with a controller that actuates a drive mechanism to provide at least partial occlusion of the patient's superior vena cava, which reduces cardiac filling pressures, and induces a favorable shift in the patient's Frank-Starling curve towards healthy heart functionality and improved cardiac performance. The occlusion device may include a lumen obstructed by a relief valve that may permit fluid flow through the occlusion device to release an excessive build-up of pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for treating conditions such as heart failure and/or pulmonary hypertension by at least partially occluding flow through the superior vena cava for an interval spanning multiple cardiac cycles. A catheter with an occlusion device is provided along with a controller that actuates a drive mechanism to provide at least partial occlusion of the patient's superior vena cava, which reduces cardiac filling pressures, and induces a favorable shift in the patient's Frank-Starling curve towards healthy heart functionality and improved cardiac performance. The system may include sensors to determine the degree of occlusion of the superior vena cava. The occlusion system may be used to reduce volume in a heart and facilitate a cardiac procedure. The occlusion system may be used to relieve an overloaded chamber during and/or after deploying a VAD.

Abstract: Systems and methods and devices are provided for treating conditions such as heart failure and/or pulmonary hypertension by at least partially occluding flow through the superior vena cava for an interval spanning multiple cardiac cycles. A catheter with an occlusion device is provided along with a controller that actuates a drive mechanism to provide at least partial occlusion of the patient's superior vena cava, which reduces cardiac filling pressures, and induces a favorable shift in the patient's Frank-Starling curve towards healthy heart functionality and improved cardiac performance. The occlusion device may include a lumen obstructed by a relief valve that may permit fluid flow through the occlusion device to release an excessive build-up of pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods and devices are provided for arresting or reversing the effects of myocardial remodeling and degeneration after cardiac injury, without the potential drawbacks associated with previously existing systems and methods, by at least partially occluding flow through the superior vena cava over multiple cardiac cycles, and more preferably, by adjusting the interval or degree of occlusion responsive to a sensed level of patient activity. In some embodiments, a controller is provided that actuates a drive mechanism responsive to a sensed level of patient activity to provide at least partial occlusion of the patient's superior vena cava, while a data transfer circuit of the controller provides bi-directional transfer of physiologic data to the patient's smartphone or tablet to permit display and review of such data.

Abstract: Systems and methods and devices are provided for arresting or reversing the effects of myocardial remodeling and degeneration after cardiac injury, without the potential drawbacks associated with previously existing systems and methods, by at least partially occluding flow through the superior vena cava over multiple cardiac cycles, and more preferably, by adjusting the interval or degree of occlusion responsive to a sensed level of patient activity. In some embodiments, a controller is provided that actuates a drive mechanism responsive to a sensed level of patient activity to provide at least partial occlusion of the patient's superior vena cava, while a data transfer circuit of the controller provides bi-directional transfer of physiologic data to the patient's smartphone or tablet to permit display and review of such data.

Abstract: Endoglin has been identified to play a functional role as a regulator of TGF?1 signaling, particular in TGF?1-mediated calcineurin expression. The present invention features methods of reducing cardiac damage, particularly in a subject undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy by administering a composition that inhibits endoglin activity. The present invention also features methods of treating autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, organ transplantation, and conditions association with oxidative stress related to TGF?1-mediated calcineurin expression and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by administering a composition that inhibits endoglin activity. The present invention also features methods of treating fibrotic diseases by administering a composition that inhibits endoglin activity.