Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve reinforcement ring is disclosed for reinforcing a natural heart valve with leaflets. The prosthetic ring includes a ring body sized and dimensioned to fit around the annulus of the heart valve. The ring body has an inner surface with a plurality of grooves on the inner surface of the ring body, where each of grooves is configured to grasp a suture. A method of reinforcing a natural heart valve is also disclosed. Sutures are provided around an annulus of a natural heart valve with leaflets. A prosthetic ring is selected that is sized to fit around the annulus. The prosthetic ring is attached to the annulus by inserting sutures into the grooves until the leaflets are properly closed. The fit of the prosthetic ring is adjusted by individually manipulating the sutures in the grooves. The sutures are tied, securing the prosthetic ring in place.

Abstract: A heart valve sizing ring is disclosed. The sizing ring includes an outer ring and an inner ring configured and arranged to couple to the outer ring. A tubular portion extends from the inner ring and has a plurality of suture holders arranged about an upper end thereof. The outer ring and inner ring having a pair of complementary mating surfaces configured and arranged to grip sutures therebetween when coupled together. When coupled around sutures, the assembled ring may be tightened down against the heart valve to test the fit as if the sizing ring were a similarly sized prosthetic heart valve ring. Commissures of the heart valve may be suspended from the suture holders of the tubular portion. The surgeon can then remove the sizing ring and replace it with a prosthetic ring.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthetic ring assembly includes an outer ring, and an inner ring configured and arranged to couple to the outer ring. The outer ring and inner ring having a pair of complementary mating surfaces configured and arranged to grip sutures therebetween when coupled together. Once coupled around sutures, the assembled ring set may be tightened down against the heart valve annulus to test the fit. If there are fit issues, the surgeon can remove the current ring set and replace it with another ring set of a different size/shape to determine a better fit. Once a proper size is determined, the surgeon may utilize the selected paired ring set as the final prosthetic reinforcing ring. The paired ring set may be secured in place with suture clasps which secure the ring sutures in place relative to the annulus and the ring set.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthetic ring assembly includes an outer ring, and an inner ring configured and arranged to couple to the outer ring. The outer ring and inner ring having a pair of complementary mating surfaces configured and arranged to grip sutures therebetween when coupled together. Once coupled around sutures, the assembled ring set may be tightened down against the heart valve annulus to test the fit. If there are fit issues, the surgeon can remove the current ring set and replace it with another ring set of a different size/shape to determine a better fit. Once a proper size is determined, the surgeon may utilize the selected paired ring set as the final prosthetic reinforcing ring. The paired ring set may be secured in place with a flanged suture fastener which secure the ring sutures in place relative to the annulus and the ring set.

Abstract: A safe, reliable, reproducible system and method for entry into the pericardial sac. The method and system described generally includes penetration of the subcutaneous tissue with a guide sheath or a relatively blunt stylet contained within a sheath. The stylet is removed from the sheath and a vacuum mechanism is installed. Once in contact with the pericardium, the sheath is engaged with the pericardial tissue, allowing the vacuum mechanism to draw the pericardium away from the heart to create a greater space between the heart and pericardium allowing needle insertion onto the pericardial cavity in a much safer and controlled manner.

Abstract: A safe, reliable, reproducible system and method for entry into the pericardial sac. The method and system described generally includes penetration of the subcutaneous tissue with a guide sheath or a relatively blunt stylet contained within a sheath. The stylet is removed from the sheath and a hook mechanism is installed. Once in contact with the pericardium, the hook is engaged with the pericardial tissue, allowing the hook mechanism to draw the pericardium away from the heart to create a greater space between the heart and pericardium allowing needle insertion into the pericardial cavity in a much safer and controlled manner.

Abstract: A device for measuring heart valve for sizing a heart valve reinforcement ring, includes a first handle having a first shaft an outer ring coupled to the first shaft, wherein the outer ring has an inner surface; and an inner ring having an outer surface, wherein the inner ring is removably couplable to the outer ring. The inner surface of the outer ring and the outer surface of the inner ring further have reciprocal mating surfaces configured and arranged to grip sutures therebetween when coupled together. The device may further have a second handle with a second shaft connected to the inner ring. Alternatively, the first handle may have a second shaft that is connected to a second outer ring.

Abstract: A protected port or catheter generally includes a cannula having at least one lumen and at least one access point in fluid communication with the at least one lumen. An access control mechanism controls fluid communication between the access point and the at least one lumen and is operable between closed and open positions. The access control mechanism may include a valve, a door, or a lockable cap. An actuator may be included for operating the access control mechanism between open and closed states. The actuator may be selectively operated by a control circuit. A power source may be provided to power the control circuit and actuator, if included.

Abstract: A heart valve sizing ring is disclosed. The sizing ring includes an outer ring and an inner ring configured and arranged to couple to the outer ring. A tubular portion extends from the inner ring and has a plurality of suture holders arranged about an upper end thereof. The outer ring and inner ring having a pair of complementary mating surfaces configured and arranged to grip sutures therebetween when coupled together. When coupled around sutures, the assembled ring may be tightened down against the heart valve to test the fit as if the sizing ring were a similarly sized prosthetic heart valve ring. Commissures of the heart valve may be suspended from the suture holders of the tubular portion. The surgeon can then remove the sizing ring and replace it with a prosthetic ring.

Abstract: A heart valve sizing ring is disclosed. The sizing ring includes an outer ring and an inner ring configured and arranged to couple to the outer ring. A tubular portion extends from the inner ring and has a plurality of suture holders arranged about an upper end thereof. The outer ring and inner ring having a pair of complementary mating surfaces configured and arranged to grip sutures therebetween when coupled together. When coupled around sutures, the assembled ring may be tightened down against the heart valve to test the fit as if the sizing ring were a similarly sized prosthetic heart valve ring. Commissures of the heart valve may be suspended from the suture holders of the tubular portion. The surgeon can then remove the sizing ring and replace it with a prosthetic ring.

Abstract: A device for measuring heart valve for sizing a heart valve reinforcement ring, includes a first handle having a first shaft an outer ring coupled to the first shaft, wherein the outer ring has an inner surface; and an inner ring having an outer surface, wherein the inner ring is removably couplable to the outer ring. The inner surface of the outer ring and the outer surface of the inner ring further have reciprocal mating surfaces configured and arranged to grip sutures therebetween when coupled together. The device may further have a second handle with a second shaft connected to the inner ring. Alternatively, the first handle may have a second shaft that is connected to a second outer ring.

Abstract: A heart valve sizing ring is disclosed. The sizing ring includes an outer ring and an inner ring configured and arranged to couple to the outer ring. A tubular portion extends from the inner ring and has a plurality of suture holders arranged about an upper end thereof. The outer ring and inner ring having a pair of complementary mating surfaces configured and arranged to grip sutures therebetween when coupled together. When coupled around sutures, the assembled ring may be tightened down against the heart valve to test the fit as if the sizing ring were a similarly sized prosthetic heart valve ring. Commissures of the heart valve may be suspended from the suture holders of the tubular portion. The surgeon can then remove the sizing ring and replace it with a prosthetic ring.

Abstract: A device for measuring heart valve for sizing a heart valve reinforcement ring, includes a handle having a first shaft and a second shaft; an inner ring coupled to the first shaft; an outer ring coupled to the second shaft; and a trigger mechanism configured and arranged to force the inner ring and outer ring together wherein an outer surface of the inner ring engages an inner surface of the outer ring; the inner surface of the outer ring and the outer surface of the inner ring having reciprocal mating surfaces configured and arranged to grip sutures therebetween when coupled together.

Abstract: A heart valve sizing ring is disclosed. The sizing ring includes an outer ring and an inner ring configured and arranged to couple to the outer ring. A tubular portion extends from the inner ring and has a plurality of suture holders arranged about an upper end thereof. The outer ring and inner ring having a pair of complementary mating surfaces configured and arranged to grip sutures therebetween when coupled together. When coupled around sutures, the assembled ring may be tightened down against the heart valve to test the fit as if the sizing ring were a similarly sized prosthetic heart valve ring. Commissures of the heart valve may be suspended from the suture holders of the tubular portion. The surgeon can then remove the sizing ring and replace it with a prosthetic ring.

Abstract: A device for measuring heart valve for sizing a heart valve reinforcement ring, includes a handle having a first shaft and a second shaft; an inner ring coupled to the first shaft; an outer ring coupled to the second shaft; and a trigger mechanism configured and arranged to force the inner ring and outer ring together wherein an outer surface of the inner ring engages an inner surface of the outer ring; the inner surface of the outer ring and the outer surface of the inner ring having reciprocal mating surfaces configured and arranged to grip sutures therebetween when coupled together.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve reinforcement ring is disclosed for reinforcing a natural heart valve with leaflets. The prosthetic ring includes a ring body sized and dimensioned to fit around the annulus of the heart valve. The ring body has an inner surface with a plurality of grooves on the inner surface of the ring body, where each of grooves is configured to grasp a suture. A method of reinforcing a natural heart valve is also disclosed. Sutures are provided around an annulus of a natural heart valve with leaflets. A prosthetic ring is selected that is sized to fit around the annulus. The prosthetic ring is attached to the annulus by inserting sutures into the grooves until the leaflets are properly closed. The fit of the prosthetic ring is adjusted by individually manipulating the sutures in the grooves. The sutures are tied, securing the prosthetic ring in place.

Abstract: A heart valve sizing ring is disclosed. The sizing ring includes an outer ring; and an inner ring configured and arranged to couple to the outer ring. The outer ring and inner ring having a pair of complementary mating surfaces configured and arranged to grip sutures therebetween when coupled together. When coupled around sutures, the assembled ring may be tightened down against the heart valve to test the fit as if the sizing ring were a similarly sized prosthetic heart valve ring. The surgeon can then remove the sizing ring and replace it with a prosthetic ring.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve reinforcement ring is disclosed, which includes a ring body sized and dimensioned to fit an annulus of a heart valve. The ring body has an inner surface. A plurality of suture engaging features is on the inner surface of the ring body. A method of reinforcing a heart valve is also disclosed. Sutures are provided around an annulus of a heart valve. The proper size of the heart valve is determined by inserting a prosthetic ring around the annulus of the heart valve. The fit of the prosthetic ring is tested by attaching the sutures to the suture engaging features of the prosthetic ring. The fit of the prosthetic ring is adjusted by manipulating the sutures about the suture engaging features. The sutures are tied, securing the prosthetic ring in place.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve reinforcement ring is disclosed. The prosthetic includes an outer ring sized and dimensioned to fit around an annulus of a heart valve and an inner ring configured and arranged to couple to the outer ring. The inner ring and the outer ring have complimentary mating formations configured and arranged to grip sutures therebetween. A method of reinforcing heart valve is also disclosed. Sutures are provided around an annulus of a heart valve. The sutures are corralled within an outer sizing ring. The outer sizing ring is placed around the annulus of the heart valve. An inner sizing ring is inserted within the outer ring, locking the sutures. The sutures are adjusted and the heart valve is tested for a proper fit. The outer sizing ring is removed and a prosthetic ring is placed over the inner sizing ring, locking the sutures. The sutures are tied.

Abstract: A heart valve sizing ring is disclosed. The sizing ring includes an outer ring and an inner ring configured and arranged to couple to the outer ring. A tubular portion extends from the inner ring and has a plurality of suture holders arranged about an upper end thereof. The outer ring and inner ring having a pair of complementary mating surfaces configured and arranged to grip sutures therebetween when coupled together. When coupled around sutures, the assembled ring may be tightened down against the heart valve to test the fit as if the sizing ring were a similarly sized prosthetic heart valve ring. Commissures of the heart valve may be suspended from the suture holders of the tubular portion. The surgeon can then remove the sizing ring and replace it with a prosthetic ring.