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: Disclosed herein are steerable catheter assemblies and methods of steering catheters. Some embodiments include a catheter with first and second oppositely disposed pull wires and third and fourth oppositely disposed pull wires that flex the catheter, a control handle coupled to the catheter, a first follower connected to the first pull wire, a second follower connected to the second pull wire, a first driver coupled to the control handle and coupled to the first and second followers, a third follower connected to the third pull wire, a fourth follower connected to the fourth pull wire, and a second driver coupled to the control handle and coupled to the third and fourth followers. Rotation of the first driver moves the first and second followers in opposite directions. Rotation of the second driver moves the third and fourth followers in opposite directions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are steerable catheter assemblies and methods of steering catheters that utilize driver and follower mechanisms to accomplish independent control of catheter flex magnitude and catheter flex direction. Some embodiments include a catheter with a first pull wire and a second pull wire that flex the catheter, a control handle coupled to the catheter, a first follower connected to the first pull wire, a second follower connected to the second pull wire, and a driver disposed in the control handle and coupled to the first and second followers. The rotation of the driver coupled to the control handle moves the first and second followers in opposite directions, and axial movement of the driver moves the first and second followers in the same direction.

Abstract: A pair of paddles are moved laterally away from one another in an exemplary method of repairing a native valve of a patient during a non-open-heart procedure. After the paddles are moved laterally away from one another, first and second gripping members are moved from an open position to a closed position to grasp valve leaflets. The paddles are then moved laterally toward one another. A cam can be used to move the paddles away from one another.

Abstract: An exemplary valve repair system for repairing a native valve of a patient during a non-open-heart procedure has a delivery device and a valve repair device. The valve repair device is configured to be delivered through a lumen of the delivery device and to attach to a native valve of a patient. The valve repair device has first and second paddles and first and second gripping members. The first and second paddles are movable between an open position and a closed position. The first gripping member is attached to the first paddle and the second gripping member is attached to the second paddle. The gripping members are configured to attach to the native valve of the patient. A gripper control mechanism is configured to separately move the first and second gripping members.

Abstract: An exemplary valve repair device for repairing a native valve of a patient includes a coaption element, a pair of paddles, and barb portions. The barb portions extend directly from at least one of the coaption element and the pair of paddles.

Abstract: An exemplary valve repair device is released from tissue of a valve of a patient by applying tension to a movable arm of a clasp in a retraction direction. A fixed arm of the clasp is attached to an inner paddle portion of a paddle of the valve repair device. The inner paddle portion is connected to an outer paddle portion of the paddle of the valve repair device. Pulling the moveable arm of the clasp flexes the inner paddle portion to allow the moveable arm to move in the retraction direction and thereby release the clasp from the valve tissue.

Abstract: An exemplary valve repair system for repairing a native valve of a patient during a non-open heart procedure includes a delivery device and a valve repair device. The valve repair device includes a pair of gripping members that are configured to attach to the native valve of the patient. A gripper control mechanism is configured to independently engage and move each of the gripping members.

Abstract: An exemplary valve repair device for repairing a valve of a patient has a paddle, and a clasp. The clasp has a fixed arm attached to the paddle and a moveable arm. The moveable arm includes barbs that are spaced apart from a connection between the moveable arm and the fixed arm. The moveable arm is movable between open and closed positions relative to the fixed arm. The moveable arm has a weakened portion between the barbs and the connection between the moveable arm and the fixed arm. Applying tension to the movable arm in a retraction direction stretches the moveable arm and moves the barbs in the retraction direction.

Abstract: An exemplary recapturable valve repair system for repairing a native valve of a patient during a non-open heart procedure has a delivery device, a valve repair device, and a tethering line. The delivery device has a catheter and a coupler. The valve repair device is configured to be delivered through the catheter and attach to a native valve of a patient. The valve repair device includes a coaption element, a proximal collar, and first and second paddles. The first and second paddles are connected to the coaption element. The coupler is releasably connected to the proximal collar. The tethering line connects the valve repair device to the delivery device for recapturing the valve repair device.

Abstract: An exemplary valve repair device for repairing a native valve of a patient has a pair of paddles, a pair of gripping members, and at least one latch member. The paddles are movable between an open position and a closed position. The paddles and/or the gripping members are configured to attach to the native valve of the patient. When the paddles are in the closed position, the latch members latch the paddles in the closed position.

Abstract: An exemplary valve repair device for repairing a native valve of a patient has a cap, and a paddle. The paddle has an inner paddle portion and an outer paddle portion. The inner paddle portion and the outer paddle portion are formed from a continuous strip of metal fabric. The outer paddle portion is connected to the cap. The cap is moveable away from the inner paddle portion to open the paddle.

Abstract: An exemplary valve repair device for repairing a native valve of a patient includes a coaption element, a collar, a pair of paddles, a cap, and a shaft. The coaption element has a first end portion and a second end portion. The collar is connected to the first end portion of the coaption element. The pair of paddles each include an inner paddle portion and an outer paddle portion that are movable between an open position, a closed position, and a bailout position. The cap is connected to the pair of paddles. The shaft extends through the collar and the coaption element and is connected to the cap. Movement of the cap by the shaft causes the inner paddle portions and the outer paddle portions of the pair of paddles to move between the open position, the closed position, and the bailout position. When the paddles are in the bailout position, a bailout angle between each inner paddle portion and the shaft is greater than or equal to 120 degrees.

Abstract: An exemplary valve repair device for repairing a native valve of a patient has a paddle frame, and inner and outer paddle portions formed from a strip of metal fabric. The paddle frame has a round three-dimensional shape. The strip of metal fabric is attached to a closed attachment portion of the paddle frame.

Abstract: An exemplary valve repair device for repairing a native valve of a patient includes a pair of paddles, a coaption element, and a covering. The coaption element has a first end portion and a second end portion. The coaption element is connected to the pair of paddles. The covering is disposed over the caption element. The covering prevents blood from flowing through the caption element.

Abstract: An exemplary valve repair system for repairing a native valve of a patient during a non-open-heart procedure includes a delivery device and a valve repair device. The delivery device includes a catheter, an actuation shaft, and a coupler. The valve repair device is configured to be delivered through the catheter. The valve repair device is configured to attach to a native valve of a patient. The valve repair device includes a coaption element having a first end portion and a second end portion, a proximal collar attached to the first end portion of the coaption element, first and second paddles connected to the coaption element, and a distal collar connected to the first and second paddles. The coupler is releasably connected to the proximal collar. The actuation shaft extends through the coupler, the proximal collar, and the coaption element. The actuation shaft is releasably connected to the distal collar.

Abstract: An exemplary valve repair device for repairing a native valve of a patient has a paddle frame, an inner paddle, and an outer paddle. The outer paddle is connected to the inner paddle. The inner and outer paddles are connected to the paddle frame at a connection between the inner paddle and the outer paddle. A portion of the inner paddle is moveable away from a portion of the outer paddle to open the inner and outer paddles.

Abstract: In an exemplary method of implanting a valve repair device on a mitral valve of a patient, first and second clasps of the valve repair device are closed to grasp the leaflets of the mitral valve. First and second paddles of the valve repair device are closed to bring the leaflets of the mitral valve into contact with a coaption element.

Abstract: An exemplary valve repair device for repairing a native valve of a patient includes a coaption element and a pair of paddles. The coaption element and/or the pair of paddles can be made from a fabric, such as a braided metal fabric. The pair of paddles are connected to the coaption element. The paddles are movable between an open position and a closed position. The valve repair device is configured to attach to the native valve of the patient.