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 device for electrifying perineal tissue, including: a housing shaped and sized to be attached to a perineum surface of a subject between a posterior aspect of the scrotum and the anus of the subject; at least two electrodes in the housing configured to deliver an electric field to a perineal tissue, wherein the electrodes are positioned entirely between the scrotum and the anus; a pulse generator in the housing electrically connected to the at least two electrodes, wherein the pulse generator generates an electric field with parameter values selected to affect at least one selected target within the perineal tissue; a control circuitry in the housing electrically connected to the pulse generator; a readable and writable memory circuit in the housing electrically connected to the control circuitry, wherein the readable and writable memory stores indications of at least one electric field parameter and/or at least one treatment program.

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.

Abstract: A device for fracturing calcifications in heart valves includes a stabilizer and an impactor movable towards each other. The impactor includes one or more impactor arms, each of which extends distally from a proximal cap. The impactor further includes one or more lever arms each of which is distally coupled to a lever cap and proximally coupled to a corresponding one of the one or more impactor arms. The lever cap slides on a shaft which extends towards the proximal cap. Proximal movement of the lever cap towards the proximal cap causes the one or more lever arms to deform and to push against the one or more impactor arms and to cause the one or more impactor arms to deform.

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: 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 heart valves and methods of implantation thereof are disclosed herein. In embodiments, a prosthetic heart valve includes a self-expandable frame configured to support of valve member and comprising a plurality of interconnected strut members forming a mesh structure. An inflow end and outflow end portions of the mesh structure respectively define an inflow terminal end and an outflow terminal end of the frame. A portion of the frame tapers inwardly from the inflow terminal end to form a reduced diameter section. In implementations, the frame increases in diameter from the reduced diameter section to an intermediate section. In implementations, the valve member is secured to the frame at the inflow end portion. In implementations, the frame further comprises a plurality of retaining arms that extend from the outflow terminal end and are configured to engage with a valve retaining mechanism of a delivery apparatus.

Abstract: A method for closure of the left atrial appendage (LAA), including: placing an LAA reshaper in contact with an LAA wall or near the LAA wall; invaginating at least a portion of the LAA into the left atrium (LA); reshaping by the LAA reshaper the LAA during the invagination; fastening the invaginated at least a portion of said LAA; and retracting the LAA reshaper from the LAA

Abstract: A calcification treatment device includes a catheter with proximal and distal ends. The catheter has at its distal end a non-occluding expansion element movable from a closed to an open position. In the open position, the expansion element is configured to apply force to leaflets of a valve so as to forcefully open the leaflets.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a frame, a valvular structure coupled to the frame, and a sealing member coupled to the frame. The frame has inflow and outflow ends and a lumen extending therebetween. The frame includes struts that form cells, and the cells are arranged in three rows. The frame is radially expandable from a collapsed state to an expanded state. The valvular structure includes a plurality of leaflets configured to allow blood flow through the lumen of the frame from the inflow end to the outflow end and to block blood flow through the lumen of the frame from the outflow end to the inflow end. The sealing skirt extends from an intermediate location of the frame disposed between the inflow and outflow ends to the inflow end of the frame. The sealing skirt covers two rows of cells to block blood flow through the cells.