Abstract: Methods and devices for modulating heart valve function are provided. In the subject methods, a heart valve is first in structurally modified. Blood flow through the structurally modified heart valve is then monitored, and the heart is paced in response to the monitored blood flow. Also provided are devices, systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods find use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: An implantable device system for controlling the dimensions of internal anatomic passages corrects physiologic dysfunctions resulting from a structural lumen which is either too large or too small. Implantable devices are disclosed which employ various mechanisms for adjusting and maintaining the size of an orifice to which they are attached. Systems permit he implants to be implanted using minimally invasive procedures and permit final adjustments to the dimensions of the implants after the resumption of normal flow of anatomic fluids in situ.

Abstract: An implantable device system for controlling the dimensions of internal anatomic passages corrects physiologic dysfunctions resulting from a structural lumen which is either too large or too small. Implantable devices are disclosed which employ various mechanisms for adjusting and maintaining the size of an orifice to which they are attached. Systems permit the implants to be implanted using minimally invasive procedures and permit final adjustments to the dimensions of the implants after the resumption of normal flow of anatomic fluids in situ.

Abstract: A delivery device for an annular implant that includes a balloon expansion mechanism and an annular implant having an adjustable dimension. The balloon expansion mechanism includes an inflation tube attached to a non-occluding balloon collar which is supported by trusses radially extending from a trocar. The annular implant further includes a flexible ring core, contiguous coiled spacers, and anchoring blocks. The flexible ring core is adjusted via a cinching mechanism. The anchoring blocks are spaced along the ring core by the contiguous coiled spacers, which keeps the distance between each pair of anchoring blocks equidistant as the ring core diameter is manipulated by the device user. The annular implant can also include gunbarrel elements housed in the trocar. Each gunbarrel element contains a gunbarrel pusher which drives an attachment element into the annular implant and annular tissue.

Abstract: Methods and devices for modulating heart valve function are provided. In the subject methods, a heart valve is first in structurally modified. Blood flow through the structurally modified heart valve is then monitored, and the heart is paced in response to the monitored blood flow. Also provided are devices, systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods find use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: An implantable purse string suture tensioning device is provided, such that a hemostatic seal can be maintained without further manual adjustment over a range of purse string circumferences, including that surrounding a minimally invasive device, or a control or guidewire, and after complete removal of objects within the purse string suture, wherein the device is sized and shaped for in-dwelling implantation in a patient.

Abstract: A delivery device for an annular implant that includes a balloon expansion mechanism and an annular implant having an adjustable dimension. The balloon expansion mechanism includes an inflation tube attached to a non-occluding balloon collar which is supported by trusses radially extending from a trocar. The annular implant further includes a flexible ring core, contiguous coiled spacers, and anchoring blocks. The flexible ring core is adjusted via a cinching mechanism. The anchoring blocks are spaced along the ring core by the contiguous coiled spacers, which keeps the distance between each pair of anchoring blocks equidistant as the ring core diameter is manipulated by the device user. The annular implant can also include gunbarrel elements housed in the trocar. Each gunbarrel element contains a gunbarrel pusher which drives an attachment element into the annular implant and annular tissue.

Abstract: A pump system selectably and dynamically controls the flow rate of a fluid being delivered to a patient's body over a wide range of flow rates. The pump system includes an infusion tubing, a pumping mechanism, a motor drive assembly in mechanical communication with the pumping mechanism, a user input control, and an electronic controller in electrical communication with and at least partially controlling the motor drive assembly. The electronic controller include a digital signal processing controller in electrical communication with the motor drive assembly that is configured to receive a signal from the user input control and to cause power to be supplied to the motor drive assembly in response at least partially to the signal from the user input control. The pump system may selectably deliver fluid at rates from about 1 milliliter per hour to at least about 3000 milliliters per minute.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mechanism and procedure for adjusting a cardiac implant during the early post-operative period, such as, for example, the first 2-5 days after surgery. During the implant procedure, an adjustment tool is releasably attached to the adjustable implant. The adjustment tool remains connected to the implant following the procedure and extends from the patient's body to allow for post-operative adjustment under normal beating heart conditions. Once the implant is adjusted, the adjustment tool is configured to release from the implant and be removed from the patient's body without requiring access to the patient's heart.

Abstract: A rapid infusion system for the intravenous delivery of fluids at standard and rapid flow rates. The system includes a pump assembly, a drive assembly to power the pump, and a fluid containment system that keeps the infused fluid out of direct contact with the pump assembly and that is preferably disposable and removable. In one embodiment the drive assembly includes a differential drive that interacts with more than one motor. In one embodiment, the pump assembly includes a roller pump and the pump chamber is a collapsible, preformed tube that is preferably attached to a pump cartridge frame. Optionally, the system includes a self-leveling drip chamber and the fluid containment system is disposable and includes a pump cartridge containing the drip chamber and the pump chamber, I.V. tubing, outlet infusion tubing, and a heater cartridge.

Abstract: A pump system simply and selectably controls the temperature, flow rate, flow volume, and flow pressure of a fluid being infused into a patient's body. The pump system a includes a central controller and user inputs that allow for simple selection and efficient operation of the pump system, which includes manually or automatically priming the pump system to remove air, selectably controlling and rapidly adjusting the flow rate over a wide range, selectably and safely controlling the pump system temperature controls, and selectably controlling the flow pressure during delivery. The pump system includes a pump housing with a central controller and a cartridge with infusion tubing removably coupled to the pump housing.

Abstract: An implantable device for controlling the circumference of internal anatomic passages corrects physiologic dysfunctions resulting from a structural lumen which is either too large or too small. Implants are disclosed which employ various means for adjusting and maintaining the size of an orifice to which they are attached. Systems permit the implants to be implanted using minimally invasive procedures and permit final adjustments to the circumference of the implants after the resumption of normal flow of anatomic fluids in situ. The invention may include an adjustment tool for making the final adjustments to the circumference that locks onto the adjustment means of the device with magnets. Methods are disclosed for using the implants to treat heart valve abnormalities, gastroesophageal abnormalities, anal incontinence, and the like.

Abstract: An implantable device system for controlling the dimensions of internal anatomic passages corrects physiologic dysfunctions resulting from a structural lumen which is either too large or too small. Implantable devices are disclosed which employ various mechanisms for adjusting and maintaining the size of an orifice to which they are attached. Systems permit the implants to be implanted using minimally invasive procedures and permit final adjustments to the dimensions of the implants after the resumption of normal flow of anatomic fluids in situ.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and systems for adjusting an implant, such as a mitral valve ring, over the long term without having to enter a patient's body. The long term adjustment system can include a magnet, or other magnetic material, that is functionally connected to the adjustment mechanism of an adjustable implant. The long term adjustment system can be activated by placing an activating magnet near the area of the patient's body where the adjustable implant is located and positioning the activating magnet so that an attractive force is generated between the activating magnet and the magnet that is functionally connected to the adjustable implant. Due to the attractive force between the two magnets, rotation of the magnet outside the patient's body will adjust the size and/or shape of the implant.

Abstract: An implantable device system for controlling the dimensions of internal anatomic passages corrects physiologic dysfunctions resulting from a structural lumen which is either too large or too small. Implantable devices are disclosed which employ various mechanisms for adjusting and maintaining the size of an orifice to which they are attached. Systems permit the implants to be implanted using minimally invasive procedures and permit final adjustments to the dimensions of the implants after the resumption of normal flow of anatomic fluids in situ.

Abstract: A heat exchange system selectably controls the temperature of a fluid being delivered to a patient's body by a pump device. The heat exchange system includes a thermal element and a heat exchanger that is removably coupled under pressure to the thermal element. The heat exchanger includes a first half made from thermally conductive material that correspondingly mates with the thermal element, a second half made from thermally conductive material opposite the first half, and an internal heat exchange zone existing between the first half and the second half, wherein fluid flows therethrough. The thermal element of the heat exchange system may controllably and safely warm and/or cool the fluid prior to delivery.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed toward sealable and repositionable implant devices that are provided with one or more improvements that increase the ability of implants such as endovascular grafts to be precisely deployed or re-deployed, with better in situ accommodation to the local anatomy of the targeted recipient anatomic site, and/or with the ability for post-deployment adjustment to accommodate anatomic changes that might compromise the efficacy of the implant.

Abstract: A delivery device for an annular implant that includes a balloon expansion mechanism and an annular implant having an adjustable dimension. The balloon expansion mechanism includes an inflation tube attached to a non-occluding balloon collar which is supported by trusses radially extending from a trocar. The annular implant further includes a flexible ring core, contiguous coiled spacers, and anchoring blocks. The flexible ring core is adjusted via a cinching mechanism. The anchoring blocks are spaced along the ring core by the contiguous coiled spacers, which keeps the distance between each pair of anchoring blocks equidistant as the ring core diameter is manipulated by the device user. The annular implant can also include gunbarrel elements housed in the trocar. Each gunbarrel element contains a gunbarrel pusher which drives an attachment element into the annular implant and annular tissue.

Abstract: An implantable device system for controlling the dimensions of internal anatomic passages corrects physiologic dysfunctions resulting from a structural lumen which is either too large or too small. Implantable devices are disclosed which employ various mechanisms for adjusting and maintaining the size of an orifice to which they are attached. Systems permit the implants to be implanted using minimally invasive procedures and permit final adjustments to the dimensions of the implants after the resumption of normal flow of anatomic fluids in situ.

Abstract: A pump system selectably controls the temperature, flow rate, flow volume, and flow pressure of a fluid being infused into a patient's body. The pump system includes a cartridge and components that removably connect with a pump housing and corresponding components, providing simple attachment of the cartridge to the pump housing. The pump housing includes a pressure sensor, a bubble detector, and a temperature sensor on a first side of the pump housing, and an engaging actuator and a central controller. The cartridge includes on a first side a heat exchanger, a pressure receptor correspondingly aligned with the pressure sensor, and a detector interface correspondingly aligned with the bubble detector and temperature sensor. Upon aligning the cartridge with the pump housing and actuating the engaging actuator, the pressure receptor communicates with the pressure sensor and the detector interface aligns with the bubble detector and temperature sensor.