Abstract: A device for treating a heart may comprise a myocardial section configured to be positioned in a heart wall between a coronary vessel and a chamber of the heart and a vessel section configured to be positioned in the coronary vessel. The vessel section may be connected to the myocardial section and be configured to articulate relative to the myocardial section. The myocardial section and the vessel section may form an integral, single piece structure.

Abstract: Methods, and related devices, for treating a heart by allowing retrograde blood flow in a coronary vein may include flowing blood through a passageway between a blood-containing anatomical structure and a coronary vein so as to cause retrograde blood flow in the coronary vein. The methods, and related devices, may further include measuring an internal pressure of the coronary vein to determine a measured internal pressure and at least partially obstructing the coronary vein at a location upstream of the passageway relative to a direction of the retrograde blood flow based on the measured internal pressure.

Abstract: A method, and related tools for performing the method, of delivering a stent or other like device to the heart to connect the left ventricle to the coronary artery to thereby supply blood directly from the ventricle to the coronary artery may be used to bypass a total or partial occlusion of a coronary artery. The method may include placing a guide device and a dilation device through an anterior wall and a posterior wall of the coronary vessel and through a heart wall between the heart chamber and the coronary vessel. The dilation device may be used to form a passageway in the heart wall at a location defined by the guide device. The method may then include placing a stent within the passageway.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a device for placing a stent in a heart wall. The device may include a delivery tool configured to deliver the stent to a location within the heart wall, and a stop mechanism disposed on the delivery tool such that the stop mechanism is proximate at least one end of the stent during delivery of the stent. The stop mechanism may be configured to engage a surface to determine the placement location of the stent within the heart wall.

Abstract: A device for treating a heart includes an implant and a collar. The implant may be configured to be positioned in a heart wall between a coronary vessel and a chamber of the heart. The collar may be configured to be disposed externally on a portion of the implant such that the collar extends from the implant so as to contact the heart wall for anchoring the implant in position in the heart wall.

Abstract: A method for inducing vascular remodeling and related methods for treating patients having diseased vasculature. The method of inducing remodeling of the vascular system includes altering the blood flow dynamics in portions of the vascular system via mechanical mechanisms. Remodeling of certain coronary vasculature may be induced by creating a passage in a heart wall between a heart chamber and a blood vessel so as to permit blood flow communication, for example, direct blood flow communication, between the chamber and the vessel. A method of inducing vascular remodeling may include providing a blood flow passage between a heart chamber and the coronary vessel, or other flow dynamics altering structure, such that enlargement of at least a portion of the coronary vessel occurs.

Abstract: A method for selective perfusion of fluids through blood vessels is controlled by the pressure in the blood vessels. A tubing line open at the proximal end for the perfusion of fluids through a tissue region is introduced into a patient's blood vessel in which perfusion is to be performed. The vessel is sealed off from the line in the area of its proximal end, and fluid is pumped into the vessel. The method is characterized in that a specific set value for the internal pressure of the vessel is measured, and the perfused flow of fluid is regulated during pumping in such a way that the set value for the internal pressure of the vessel is kept as closely as possible.

Abstract: A method for selective perfusion of fluids through blood vessels is controlled by the pressure in the blood vessels. A tubing line open at the proximal end for the perfusion of fluids through a tissue region is introduced into a patient's blood vessel in which perfusion is to be performed. The vessel is sealed off from the line in the area of its proximal end, and fluid is pumped into the vessel. The method is characterized in that a specific set value for the internal pressure of the vessel is measured, and the perfused flow of fluid is regulated during pumping in such a way that the set value for the internal pressure of the vessel is kept as closely as possible.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method, and related tools for performing the method, of delivering a stent or other like-device to the heart to connect the left ventricle to the coronary artery to thereby supply blood directly from the ventricle to the coronary artery. The method may be used to bypass a total or partial occlusion of a coronary artery. In a preferred embodiment, the inventive method of providing direct blood flow between a heart chamber and a coronary vessel includes placing a guide device and a dilation device through an anterior wall and a posterior wall of the coronary vessel and through a heart wall between the heart chamber and the coronary vessel, the dilation device forming a passageway in the heart wall at a location defined by the guide device, and placing a stent within the passageway.

Abstract: The method and apparatus described and illustrated herein generally relate to a bypass method to provide blood flow directly from a heart chamber, such as the left ventricle, and coronary vasculature, such as a coronary artery, and a conduit especially suited for placement in the myocardium to provide such flow. The conduit is particularly useful when a blockage partially or completely obstructs the coronary artery, in which case the conduit is positioned distal to the blockage. Aspects of the present invention relate to conduits in the form of stents that have particular configurations exhibiting properties suited to placement in the myocardium.