Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for treatment of a urethra that is constricted due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A positioning device is used to determine a location of the area of the urethra that is constricted and is to be treated. An execution device includes a dilation balloon, a cutter, an implant carrier, and an implant, the implant and the implant carrier both being disposed outside the outer surface of the dilation balloon. The urethra is dilated by expanding the dilation balloon, and a cut is formed in the inner surface of the urethra using the cutter. The implant is released into the cut within the inner surface of the urethra subsequent to the cutter forming the cut in the inner surface of the urethra, to thereby maintain the urethra in a dilated state. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Suture clips configured to be placed in a predetermined path of a suturing needle that advances through a device inserted to a body cavity, and remotely operated from that position to secure and clamp suturing. In some embodiments, a suture tightening device is placed in the predetermined path and configured to capture the suture and shorten a length of tissue-engaged suture by pulling on the suture. In some embodiments, sensors are placed along the needle path and used to provide an indication of needle position and/or status.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for treatment of a urethra that is constricted due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A positioning device is used to determine a location of the area of the urethra that is constricted and is to be treated. An execution device includes a dilation balloon, a cutter, an implant carrier, and an implant, the implant and the implant carrier both being disposed outside the outer surface of the dilation balloon. The urethra is dilated by expanding the dilation balloon, and a cut is formed in the inner surface of the urethra using the cutter. The implant is released into the cut within the inner surface of the urethra subsequent to the cutter forming the cut in the inner surface of the urethra, to thereby maintain the urethra in a dilated state. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Devices and methods of endolumenal formation of gastric sleeves are described. In some embodiments, a bougie capsule section comprises one or more mechanisms to allow flexing that induces a bend through a suction clamping domain that grabs, positions, and holds body lumen tissue (e.g., gastric wall tissue). In some embodiments, a needle drive is configured to allow longitudinal movement of a helical needle through a suturing space defined by the suction clamping domain, optionally while the suction clamping domain is bent. In some embodiments, the suction clamping domain can insert to the stomach in a collapsed configuration, then expanded once in the stomach. Potentially, this allows grabbing and positioning larger and/or deeper folds of tissue for suturing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heart implant comprising an attachment element (2), particularly a tubular attachment element for attaching a sheath (4), preferably having a sheath (4) being coaxially positioned around at least a part of the attachment element (2) and fixed to it, the attachment element (2) having a lower end (2a) and an upper end (2b) and several strips (3) at least at one of the ends, preferably being split into several strips at least at one of the ends (2b), preferably only at the upper end (2b), the strips (3) forming an expandable anchoring cage, particularly for fixing the heart implant to a lumen of the heart, preferably the atrium, by surface contact between an exterior surface of the expandable cage and an interior lumen surface, the strips (3) of the anchoring cage ending in respective strip tips (7) at the end of their extension in the compressed state, particularly during delivery through a catheter (1), the strip tips (7) forming the distal or proximal end of the implant, particularl

Abstract: The invention relates to a heart implant comprising a tubular attachment element (1) for attaching a sheath, particularly having a sheath being coaxially positioned around at least a part of the tubular attachment element (1) and fixed to it, the tubular attachment element (1) having a lower end (1a) and an upper end (1b) and being split into several strips (2) at the upper end (1b), the strips (2) forming an expandable cage (C), particularly for fixing the heart implant to the atrium of the heart by surface contact between an exterior surface of the expandable cage (C) and an interior atrium surface, wherein in an expanded state the strips (2) extend from the upper end (1b) towards the lower end (1a) of the tubular attachment element (1) and form an expanded cage (C) being positioned around at least an upper part of the tubular attachment element (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a heart implant, particularly being configured to reduce or eliminate a heart valve insufficiency after implantation into the heart, comprising a closure element (1) being configured to be positioned within the heart valve annulus, particularly being configured to close or at least to reduce a remaining gap between closing valve leaflets, an anchoring element (2) being attached to the closure element (1) for fixing the implant in the heart, preferably for non-invasive fixing by surface contact between the exterior surface of the anchoring element (2) and an interior surface of a heart lumen, preferably the atrium, wherein the closure element (1) and the anchoring element (2) are connected with a means (1a, 2a) for changing the relative position of the closure element (1) and the anchoring element (2) to each other. The invention furthermore relates to a method of treating a heart valve insufficiency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heart implant comprising an attachment element (2), particularly a tubular attachment element for attaching a sheath (4), preferably having a sheath (4) being coaxially positioned around at least a part of the attachment element (2) and fixed to it, the attachment element (2) having a lower end (2a) and an upper end (2b) and several strips (3) at least at one of the ends, preferably being split into several strips at least at one of the ends (2b), preferably only at the upper end (2b), the strips (3) forming an expandable anchoring cage, particularly for fixing the heart implant to a lumen of the heart, preferably the atrium, by surface contact between an exterior surface of the expandable cage and an interior lumen surface, the strips (3) of the anchoring cage ending in respective strip tips (7) at the end of their extension in the compressed state, particularly during delivery through a catheter (1), the strip tips (7) forming the distal or proximal end of the implant, particularl

Abstract: A delivery system that includes a catheter, a balloon, a self-expanding prosthesis, and a sheath. The sheath including an opening in a wall of the sheath that initiates rupturing of the sheath so that the self-expanding prosthesis may move from its compressed state to its expanded state. Additionally, a distal end portion of the balloon that is distal to a distal end of the sheath includes an enlarged diameter portion, the enlarged diameter portion having approximately the same outer diameter as an outer diameter of the sheath when the self-expanding prosthesis is in its compressed state, and the enlarged diameter portion being the maximum outer diameter of the balloon when the self-expanding prosthesis is in its compressed state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heart implant comprising a tubular attachment element (1) for attaching a sheath, particularly having a sheath being coaxially positioned around at least a part of the tubular attachment element (1) and fixed to it, the tubular attachment element (1) having a lower end (1a) and an upper end (1b) and being split into several strips (2) at the upper end (1b), the strips (2) forming an expandable cage (C), particularly for fixing the heart implant to the atrium of the heart by surface contact between an exterior surface of the expandable cage (C) and an interior atrium surface, wherein in an expanded state the strips (2) extend from the upper end (1b) towards the lower end (1a) of the tubular attachment element (1) and form an expanded cage (C) being positioned around at least an upper part of the tubular attachment element (1).

Abstract: A dilation device for an intra-body lumen, for example, a urethra partially occluded by an enlarged prostate in the form of a resilient curved body configured to be implanted in a cut around the lumen, and a method for dilating such a lumen by implanting a dilation device in a cut around the outside of the lumen. Also, a deployment system including a delivery device for the implant, and a device for dilating the lumen before and while the cut is being made, and a method of using the implant and the deployment system. The implant may be formed of a strip or a coiled wire. The cut may be performed in part by the implant. The cut may be performed by a sharp edge, and/or by application of electrical current to the area being cut, or by a piezoelectric transducer.

Abstract: A dilation device (206) for an intra-body lumen, for example, a urethra partially occluded by an enlarged prostate in the form of a resilient curved body configured to be implanted in a cut around the lumen, and a method for dilating such a lumen by implanting a dilation device in a cut around the outside of the lumen. Also, a deployment system (300) including a delivery device for the implant, and a device for dilating the lumen before and while the cut is being made, and a method of using the implant and the deployment system. The implant may be formed of a strip or a coiled wire. The cut may be performed in part by the implant. The cut may be performed by a sharp edge, and/or by application of electrical current to the area being cut, or by a piezoelectric transducer.

Abstract: A delivery system that includes a catheter, a balloon, a self-expanding prosthesis, and a sheath. The sheath including an opening in a wall of the sheath that initiates rupturing of the sheath so that the self-expanding prosthesis may move from its compressed state to its expanded state. Additionally, a distal end portion of the balloon that is distal to a distal end of the sheath includes an enlarged diameter portion, the enlarged diameter portion having approximately the same outer diameter as an outer diameter of the sheath when the self-expanding prosthesis is in its compressed state, and the enlarged diameter portion being the maximum outer diameter of the balloon when the self-expanding prosthesis is in its compressed state.

Abstract: A system and method for treating a constricted bodily lumen, for example, a urethra constricted due to BPH. The method includes a planning stage, during which an area requiring treatment is visually identified, and an execution stage during which the lumen is expanded, a cut is formed in the inner surface of the tissue defining the lumen, and an implant is deployed in the cut. The implant can be an open C-shaped ring, and can be formed of a biodegradable material, or can be removed at a selected time after implantation. The system is formed of a planning device anchorable in the lumen and constructed to facilitate location of an area to be treated, and execution device constructed to deliver an implant, to expand the lumen, to form a cut in the inner surface of tissue defining the lumen, and to release the implant for deployment into the cut.

Abstract: A delivery system for a self-expandable prosthesis includes a catheter having a distal portion and a proximal portion, a balloon portion positioned on the distal portion, and a self expanding medical device positioned about the balloon portion. The medical device has a compressed state and an expanded state. A sheath couples the medical device in its compressed state about the balloon portion and has only a single opening in a wall of the sheath. When the balloon is expanded, the sheath is configured to (i) first rupture at the single opening, thereby allowing the medical device to self-expand and engage an inner wall of a vessel, and (ii) controllably continue the rupturing from the single opening to the proximal end of sheath, thereby allowing the medical device to expand to its expanded state and a portion of the medical device to engage an inner wall of the vessel.

Abstract: An expandable apparatus and method configured for inserting into a mammalian stomach and adapted for sensing the activity of the stomach wall. The apparatus comprising: a) an inflatable balloon insert-able into the stomach, when deflated; and b) one or more sensors, mounted to the external surface of the balloon. The inflatable balloon is adapted to attach the one or more sensors to the stomach wall, when the balloon is fully inflated in the stomach; such that the sensors are immovably affixed to the stomach wall, sufficient to sense at least one of mechanical-activity and electric-activity, emanating from the stomach wall.

Abstract: A dilation device (206) for an intra-body lumen, for example, a urethra partially occluded by an enlarged prostate in the form of a resilient curved body configured to be implanted in a cut around the lumen, and a method for dilating such a lumen by implanting a dilation device in a cut around the outside of the lumen. Also, a deployment system (300) including a delivery device for the implant, and a device for dilating the lumen before and while the cut is being made, and a method of using the implant and the deployment system. The implant may be formed of a strip or a coiled wire. The cut may be performed in part by the implant. The cut may be performed by a sharp edge, and/or by application of electrical current to the area being cut, or by a piezoelectric transducer.

Abstract: Gastrointestinal prosthesis for restraining the rate of the gastric digestion consists of a compressible proximal member connected by a string to a distal member, to be introduced into the intestine. The proximal member has an internal space, which is opened to the gastric lumen and may include passageways for the gastric content as well as open grooves or niches disposed on its external wall. The volume of a proximal member compressed by the gastric wall cannot get smaller than a lower threshold. Anchoring the gastrointestinal prosthesis at its desired location is accomplished by means of the proximal member the geometrical shape of which conforms the geometrical shape of a portion of the gastric lumen; as well as by means of the geometrical shape of the distal member which conforms the geometrical shape of a segment of the duodenum and/or a segment of the intestine.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering a stent to a bifurcation in a vessel. The delivery system includes two guidewire lumens for directed the stent through the anatomy to the bifurcation. A main branch guidewire lumen has entry and exit ports that are positioned in order to limit how far the delivery system will be allowed into a side branch vessel. The orientation of the main branch guidewire lumen causes the delivery system to bind on the main branch guidewire as the system is positioned in the side branch. The location of the main branch guidewire lumen openings will physically limit the distance into the side branch that the stent will be placed.

Abstract: A delivery system for a self-expandable prosthesis includes a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, a balloon positioned on the distal end of the catheter, a self-expandable prosthesis positioned on the balloon, and a sheath at least partially surrounding the self-expandable prosthesis. Upon inflation of the balloon, the sheath opens in a controllable manner, allowing the self-expandable prosthesis to be released. The sheath is either removed from the vessel or allowed to remain in the vessel.