Abstract: A method treating a deficient native mitral valve includes advancing the distal end portion of a delivery catheter into a heart, wherein the delivery catheter contains a support band stretched into a linear form, wherein the support band comprises a shape-memory material, and then ejecting the support band from the distal end portion of the delivery catheter such that the support band transitions from the linear form to a curved shape extending around native leaflets of the native mitral valve.

Abstract: An intravascular retrograde blood flow device is disclosed. The device comprises a catheter; an expandable shunt compressed within the catheter and configured to bridge an opening between a first cavity of a first organ and a second cavity of a second organ; an expandable flow deflector compressed within the catheter and configured to deflect flow in the second cavity; and a flexible hinge interconnecting the expandable shunt and the expandable flow deflector. The flexible hinge is bendable to enable transverse axial positioning of the expandable shunt and the expandable flow deflector while maintaining an interconnection between the expandable shunt and the expandable flow deflector.

Abstract: A method of treating a deficient native mitral valve of a heart of a patient includes advancing a steerable, first catheter through the patient's vasculature, advancing the distal end portion of the first catheter into the heart to position the distal end portion of the first catheter adjacent the native mitral valve, adjusting the curvature of the distal end portion of the first catheter to form a first curve, advancing a distal end portion of a second catheter from a distal end of the first catheter, wherein the distal end portion of the second catheter is pre-shaped to form a second curve when advanced from the first catheter, and deploying a wire from the second catheter such that the wire extends around native leaflets of the native mitral valve.

Abstract: A method for left atrial appendage (LAA) invagination, including: convexing a portion of the LAA wall into the LAA; grasping the convexed LAA wall portion within the LAA; invaginating the LAA at least partly into the left atria (LA) using the convexed LAA portion.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including placing a valve frame within a subject's heart. The valve frame is configured to support the prosthetic valve within the native atrio-ventricular valve and includes a valve frame body having atrial and ventricular parts and at least one arm that is configured to extend from the ventricular part. The arm is deployed among chords of the native atrio-ventricular valve and is rotated, such as to pull the native atrio-ventricular valve radially inward toward the valve frame and twist the native atrio-ventricular valve around the valve frame, by recruiting and deflecting at least a portion of the chords. The frame body of the valve frame traps the native valve leaflets in a partially closed and twisted configuration by radially expanding, to thereby at least partially seal a space between the native atrio-ventricular valve and the prosthetic valve. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including placing a valve frame within a subject's heart. The valve frame includes a valve frame body that is configured to support the prosthetic valve within the native atrio-ventricular valve, and at least one arm that is configured to extend from a ventricular portion of the valve frame. The at least one arm is deployed among chords of the native atrio-ventricular valve. Subsequently, at least a portion of the valve frame is rotated in a direction in which an interior of the arm faces, such as to modify shapes of the native valve leaflets and the ventricular structures, by recruiting and deflecting at least a portion of the chords. The frame body of the valve frame is then radially expanded, such as to hold the native valve leaflets and the ventricular structures at least partially in the modified shapes. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Prosthetic valve systems for treating a native valve exhibiting regurgitation can include a support structure in which a separate prosthetic heart valve can be placed. A method for implant a prosthetic valve system can include advancing a first catheter delivery sheath through an introducer sheath and into a left ventricle of a patient's heart, deploying at least a portion of a support structure from the first catheter delivery sheath and positioning the support structure around native leaflets of the patient's native mitral valve, positioning a prosthetic heart valve in a radially collapsed configuration within the patient's native mitral valve, and expanding the prosthetic heart valve from the radially collapsed configuration to a radially expanded configuration, wherein the prosthetic heart valve contacts the native leaflets from within the patient's native mitral valve and is separated from the support structure by the native leaflets.

Abstract: A medical system for applying negative pressure within a gastrointestinal tract of a subject. The medical system includes an elongate tube defining at least one interior channel, a plurality of orifices in fluid communication with the interior channel, and at least one exterior channel. The exterior channel is in fluid communication with the interior channel via at least one of the orifices. The elongate tube has a delivery state, and a first operative state in which the elongate tube forms a coil including a plurality of loops. A fluid-tight lumen is in fluid communication with the elongate tube. The lumen is adapted to couple to a source of negative pressure for delivery of negative pressure to the elongate tube. In the first operative state of the elongate tube, a length of the coil is at least 15 mm and the plurality of loops includes at least 4 loops.

Abstract: A delivery assembly includes a prosthetic device, a catheter shaft, a release wire, a first line, and a second line. The prosthetic device has a first arm and a second arm. The release wire extends through the catheter shaft. The first line includes a first loop. The first line extends from the catheter shaft, through the first arm of the prosthetic device, and to the release wire, where the release wire extends through the first loop. The second line includes a second loop. The second line extends from the catheter shaft, through the second arm of the prosthetic device, and to the release wire, where the release wire extends through the second loop.

Abstract: A method of treating a deficient native mitral valve of a heart of a patient includes advancing a steerable, first catheter through the patient's vasculature, advancing the distal end portion of the first catheter into the heart to position the distal end portion of the first catheter adjacent the native mitral valve, adjusting the curvature of the distal end portion of the first catheter to form a first curve, advancing a distal end portion of a second catheter from a distal end of the first catheter, wherein the distal end portion of the second catheter is pre-shaped to form a second curve when advanced from the first catheter, and deploying a wire from the second catheter such that the wire extends around native leaflets of the native mitral valve.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems used to deliver a prosthetic heart valve to a deficient valve are provided. For example, a support member is positioned to at least partially surround the native leaflets of a valve. A locking member is used to couple both ends of the support member, forming a support band. An expandable prosthetic heart valve is delivered into the native heart valve and expanded while the expandable prosthetic valve is at least partially within the support band, thereby causing one or more of the native leaflets of the native heart valve to be frictionally secured between the support band and the expanded prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: A method of treating a deficient native mitral valve of a heart of a patient includes advancing a steerable, first catheter through the patient's vasculature, advancing the distal end portion of the first catheter into the heart to position the distal end portion of the first catheter adjacent the native mitral valve, adjusting the curvature of the distal end portion of the first catheter to form a first curve, advancing a distal end portion of a second catheter from a distal end of the first catheter, wherein the distal end portion of the second catheter is pre-shaped to form a second curve when advanced from the first catheter, and deploying a wire from the second catheter such that the wire extends around native leaflets of the native mitral valve.

Abstract: A method treating a deficient native mitral valve includes advancing the distal end portion of a delivery catheter into a heart, wherein the delivery catheter contains a support band stretched into a linear form, wherein the support band comprises a shape-memory material, and then ejecting the support band from the distal end portion of the delivery catheter such that the support band transitions from the linear form to a curved shape extending around native leaflets of the native mitral valve.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a valve frame defining a frame aperture and at least one arm attached to a portion of the valve frame on a ventricular side of said frame aperture. The at least one arm is configured to extend radially from the portion of the valve frame such that a chord receiving surface of the arm is sized and shaped to deploy among a region of the chords of the native mitral valve. The arm is curved, with an interior of the arm facing a direction in which the valve frame is configured to be rotated during deployment of the prosthetic mitral valve apparatus within the native mitral valve and with the arm having a concavely rounded leading edge facing at least partially in a circumferential direction. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A method of treating a deficient native mitral valve of a heart of a patient includes advancing a steerable, first catheter through the patient’s vasculature, advancing the distal end portion of the first catheter into the heart to position the distal end portion of the first catheter adjacent the native mitral valve, adjusting the curvature of the distal end portion of the first catheter to form a first curve, advancing a distal end portion of a second catheter from a distal end of the first catheter, wherein the distal end portion of the second catheter is pre-shaped to form a second curve when advanced from the first catheter, and deploying a wire from the second catheter such that the wire extends around native leaflets of the native mitral valve.

Abstract: Delivery assemblies including a prosthetic heart valve and a delivery apparatus are disclosed. The prosthetic heart valve includes a frame having posts extending from a terminal outflow end of the frame and a valve structure disposed within the frame. The delivery apparatus includes an inner shaft including a valve connection portion having recesses configured to receive the posts of the frame of the prosthetic heart valve, an outer shaft including a valve sheath for retaining the prosthetic valve in a radially compressed state and retaining the posts within the recesses, and a handle including a control knob for moving the valve sheath proximally and distally relative to the handle. The control knob is seated within the handle housing such that the housing partially covers a circumferentially extending outer surface of the control knob.

Abstract: An assembly for replacement of a native aortic heart valve includes a radially collapsible prosthetic heart valve and a delivery apparatus. The prosthetic heart valve includes an annular frame with attachment posts, wherein each of the posts has an axial post portion and a transverse post portion having a greater circumferential dimension than the axial post portion. The delivery apparatus includes an inner shaft with a valve connection portion for releasably coupling to the attachment posts and an outer shaft having a sheath for maintaining the prosthetic heart valve in a radially compressed state. Rotation of a control knob on a handle causes the sheath to retract for uncovering a portion of the prosthetic heart valve. Further rotation of the control knob allows the posts to decouple from the delivery apparatus such that the prosthetic heart valve self-expands to a fully expanded state.

Abstract: A delivery assembly includes a prosthetic device, a catheter shaft, a release wire, a first line, and a second line. The prosthetic device has a first arm and a second arm. The release wire extends through the catheter shaft. The first line includes a first loop. The first line extends from the catheter shaft, through the first arm of the prosthetic device, and to the release wire, where the release wire extends through the first loop. The second line includes a second loop. The second line extends from the catheter shaft, through the second arm of the prosthetic device, and to the release wire, where the release wire extends through the second loop.

Abstract: A left atrium appendage (LAA) isolator, including: a body sized and shaped to fit an at least partially inverted LAA of a human adult, wherein a distal end of said body defines a two-state sealing adaptor interface configured in a first state to apply a radially outward force against a wall of said LAA or against a wall of said LAA opening sufficient to anchor said body to the LAA wall, and in a second state the sealing adaptor interface is configured to apply a radially inward force on a portion of the inverted LAA positioned within said body.

Abstract: An assembly for replacement of a native aortic heart valve includes a radially collapsible prosthetic heart valve and a delivery apparatus. The prosthetic heart valve includes an annular frame with attachment posts, wherein each of the posts has an axial post portion and a transverse post portion having a greater circumferential dimension than the axial post portion. The delivery apparatus includes an inner shaft with a valve connection portion for releasably coupling to the attachment posts and an outer shaft having a sheath for maintaining the prosthetic heart valve in a radially compressed state. Rotation of a control knob on a handle causes the sheath to retract for uncovering a portion of the prosthetic heart valve. Further rotation of the control knob allows the posts to decouple from the delivery apparatus such that the prosthetic heart valve self-expands to a fully expanded state.