Abstract: An exemplary valve repair device for repairing a native valve of a patient includes: a coaption element having four layers; and a pair of paddles connected to the coaption element. The paddles are movable between an open position and a closed position and are configured to attach to the native valve of the patient.

Abstract: A system for implanting a repair device onto a native valve of a natural heart to repairing the native valve of a patient during a non-open-heart procedure. The system includes a pair of paddles and a pair of gripping members. The paddles are movable between an open position and a closed position. Each of the gripping members has a barbed portion for securing the gripping members to the native valve of a patient. Each gripping member is slidably attached to a corresponding paddle. Each gripping member can be moved in a first direction along the paddle before the barbed portion of the gripping member pierces the native valve of the patient. Each gripping member can be moved in a direction substantially opposite the first direction after the barbed portion pierces the native valve of the patient such that the gripping members create a tensioning force on the native valve of the patient.

Abstract: An exemplary implantable prosthetic device has a coaption element and at least one anchor. The coaption element is configured to be positioned within the native heart valve orifice to help fill a space where the native valve is regurgitant and form a more effective seal. The coaption element can have a structure that is impervious to blood and that allows the native leaflets to close around the coaption element during ventricular systole to block blood from flowing from the left or right ventricle back into the left or right atrium, respectively. The coaption element can be connected to leaflets of the native valve by the anchor.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic device includes a coaption portion, paddles, and clasps. The paddles are moveable from a closed position to an open position. The clasps are also moveable from an open position to a closed position. The implantable prosthetic device can be used to repair a naitive valve, such as a native mitral valve. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A mitral valve repair system includes a delivery sheath, a mitral valve repair device, and an actuator. The mitral valve repair device is disposed in the delivery sheath in an extended condition. The mitral valve repair device includes a pair of barbed clasps. The barbed clasps are in a closed condition while the mitral valve repair device is in the extended condition in the delivery sheath.

Abstract: A mitral valve repair system includes a delivery sheath, a mitral valve repair device, and an actuator. The mitral valve repair device is disposed in the delivery sheath in an extended condition. The mitral valve repair device is movable out of the delivery sheath while in the extended condition. The actuator is coupled to the mitral valve repair device, such that retracting the actuator reduces a length of the mitral valve repair device from the extended condition.

Abstract: In one representative embodiment, an implantable prosthetic device comprises a spacer body portion configured to be disposed between native leaflets of a heart, and an anchor portion configured to secure the native leaflets against the spacer body portion. The prosthetic device can be movable between multiple configurations. The spacer body can be made from braided, self-expandable metallic thread. A delivery apparatus can have a first shaft and a second shaft, wherein movement of the first shaft relative to the second shaft moves the anchor portion relative to the spacer body.

Abstract: In one representative embodiment, an implantable prosthetic device comprises a spacer body portion configured to be disposed between native leaflets of a heart, and an anchor portion configured to secure the native leaflets against the spacer body portion. The prosthetic device can be movable between multiple configurations. The spacer body can be configured to extend radially outwardly as the spacer body extends away from the distal end toward the proximal end. A delivery apparatus can have a first shaft and a second shaft, wherein movement of the first shaft relative to the second shaft moves the anchor portion relative to the spacer body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the production of at least one fatty acid and/or oil from a plant cell suspension culture, the method comprising (i) maintaining a cell suspension culture of oil-producing plant cells under conditions such that the cultured cells synthesize and secrete at least one fatty acid and/or oil into the cell suspension culture medium; and (ii) extracting the thus secreted at least one fatty acid and/or oil from the cell suspension culture medium.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic spacer device can include an inflatable spacer having a plurality of inflatable members and a frame, the frame comprising one or more anchors and one or more clasps. The inflatable spacer can be configured to be disposed between native leaflets of a heart. The implantable prosthetic spacer can be disposed in a symmetrical or an asymmetrical configuration. The inflatable spacers can be inflatable between an uninflated and an inflated configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a localized environment for a cell culture plate are described herein. An example system can include a dock shaped to receive the cell culture plate, and a gas distribution device positioned on the dock. The gas distribution device can include a frame including a plurality of sides connected to form an opening, an internal channel within the frame for directing a gas mixture within the gas distribution device, an inlet port in fluid communication with the internal channel for receiving the gas mixture, and a plurality of apertures in fluid communication with the internal channel. The plurality of apertures can be spaced apart from one another along the frame and configured to direct the gas mixture toward the opening.

Abstract: A system for implanting a repair device onto a native valve of a natural heart to repairing the native valve of a patient during a non-open-heart procedure. The system includes a pair of paddles and a pair of gripping members. The paddles are moveable between an open position and a closed position. The gripping members can have different configurations for effective attachment and release from the native valve of the patient.

Abstract: A system for implanting a repair device onto a native valve of a natural heart to repair the native valve of a patient during a non-open-heart procedure. The system includes a base assembly having a plurality of pivoting links, a pair of paddles attached to the base assembly, a pair of gripping members attached to the base assembly, and at least one coaptation or spacer element disposed between the pair of gripping members. Movement of the pivoting links of the base assembly causes the paddles to move between an open position and a closed position. The paddles and the gripping members are configured to attach to valve leaflets of the patient. The coaptation or spacer element is configured to fill at least a portion of a gap between the valve leaflets of the patient.

Abstract: A system for implanting a repair device onto a native valve of a natural heart to repairing the native valve of a patient during a non-open-heart procedure. The system includes a pair of paddles and a pair of gripping members. The paddles are movable between an open position and a closed position. Each of the gripping members has a barbed portion for securing the gripping members to the native valve of a patient. Each gripping member is slidably attached to a corresponding paddle. Each gripping member can be moved in a first direction along the paddle before the barbed portion of the gripping member pierces the native valve of the patient. Each gripping member can be moved in a direction substantially opposite the first direction after the barbed portion pierces the native valve of the patient such that the gripping members create a tensioning force on the native valve of the patient.

Abstract: A system for implanting a repair device onto a native valve of a natural heart to repairing the native valve of a patient during a non-open-heart procedure. The system includes a paddle and a gripping member. The paddle is movable between an open position and a closed position. The gripping member has a weakened portion and a barbed portion. The barbed portion is configured to secure the gripping member to valve tissue of the native valve of the patient. A gripper control mechanism is configured to move the gripping member between an open position and a closed position. The gripper control mechanism comprises a suture removably attached to the gripping member at a first connection point and a pushing member configured to engage the gripping member at a second connection point. The weakened portion is between the first and second connection points.

Abstract: A system for implanting a repair device onto a native valve of a natural heart to repair the native valve of a patient during a non-open-heart procedure. The system includes a pair of paddles and a pair of gripping members. The paddles are movable between an open position and a closed position. The paddles and the gripping members are configured to attach to the native valve of the patient. The paddles are biased to the closed position, latched to the gripping members in the closed position, maintained in the closed position by a threaded connection, or otherwise maintained in the closed position.

Abstract: A system for implanting a repair device onto a native valve of a natural heart to repair the native valve of a patient during a non-open-heart procedure. The system includes a surgical delivery instrument and a valve repair device. The surgical delivery instrument has at least one lumen. The valve repair device is configured to be delivered through the lumen of the surgical delivery instrument and to be attached to a native valve of a patient. The valve repair device includes a pair of paddles and a pair of gripping members. The paddles are movable between an open position and a closed position, and the paddles are configured to flex upon being attached to the native valve of a patient. The paddles and the gripping members are configured to attach to the native valve of the patient.

Abstract: A system for implanting a repair device onto a native valve of a natural heart to repair the native valve of a patient during a non-open-heart procedure. The system includes a surgical a valve repair device for repairing a native valve of a patient including a pair of paddles, and a pair of gripping members. The paddles are movable between an open position and a closed position, in which the paddles are moved to the open position by moving a pivot point of each paddle in an outward direction and pivoting each of the paddles about the pivot point of the paddle. The paddles and the gripping members are configured to attach to the native valve of the patient when the paddles are in the closed position.

Abstract: A system for implanting a repair device onto a native valve of a natural heart to repairing the native valve of a patient during a non-open-heart procedure. The system includes a surgical delivery instrument, a valve repair device, and a gripper control mechanism. The surgical delivery instrument has at least one lumen. The valve repair device is configured to be delivered through the lumen of the surgical delivery instrument and to be attached to a native valve of a patient. The valve repair device includes a pair of paddles, and at least four gripping members. The paddles are movable between an open position and a closed position, and the paddles and the at least four gripping members are configured to attach to the native valve of a patient. The gripper control mechanism is configured to independently move each of the at least four gripping members.

Abstract: A system for implanting a repair device onto a native valve of a natural heart to repairing the native valve of a patient during a non-open-heart procedure. The system includes a surgical delivery instrument, a valve repair device, and a gripper control mechanism. The surgical delivery instrument has at least one lumen. The valve repair device is configured to be delivered through the lumen of the surgical delivery instrument and to be attached to a native valve of a patient. The valve repair device has a pair of paddles, and first and second gripping members. The paddles are movable between an open position and a closed position. The paddles and the first and second gripping members are configured to attach to the native valve of the patient. The gripper control mechanisms each include a suture and a wire having a loop at a distal end. The suture extends from the surgical delivery instrument and through the loop of the wire. The suture is removably attached to the gripping member.