Abstract: Methods and devices that prevent stasis in the LAA by either increasing the flow through the LAA or by closing off or sealing the LAA. Increasing the flow is accomplished through shunts, flow diverters, agitators, or by increasing the size of the ostium. Closing off the LAA is accomplished using seals or by cinching the LAA.

Abstract: Methods and devices that prevent stasis in the LAA by either increasing the flow through the LAA or by closing off or sealing the LAA. Increasing the flow is accomplished through shunts, flow diverters, agitators, or by increasing the size of the ostium. Closing off the LAA is accomplished using seals or by cinching the LAA.

Abstract: Described herein are improved blood pumping devices, including improved intra-aortic balloon pumps and ventricular assist devices. The pumping efficiency of either device may be improved with the use of one or more valves, counter pulsation balloons, non-compliant tubular structures, secondary pumping balloons, and similar components.

Abstract: A shunt is described that expands to an hourglass shape. As the shunt expands, both of its ends radially flare outwards relative to its middle section and the length of the shunt foreshortens, which causes the flared ends to engage the tissue surrounding a puncture or aperture within a patient's tissue.

Abstract: Devices and methods of treating conditions cause or exacerbated by excessive fluid pressures or retentions, such as pulmonary hypertension, that involves shunting excessive fluid pressure from one bodily chamber or vessel to another bodily chamber or vessel.

Abstract: A shunt is described that expands to an hourglass shape. As the shunt expands, both of its ends radially flare outwards relative to its middle section and the length of the shunt foreshortens, which causes the flared ends to engage the tissue surrounding a puncture or aperture within a patient's tissue.

Abstract: A variety of methods and devices for manipulating tissue using stents and shunts that foreshorten when expanded. Many of the devices have ends that expand radially more than a center portion of the device, creating an hourglass or rivet shape that is useful for anchoring the device or putting a squeezing force on the tissue.

Abstract: A crimping device for a prosthetic heart valve can comprise an annular outer frame and an inner frame extending through the outer frame, the inner frame comprising first and second axial end portions and a plurality of jaw guides extending therebetween, where the inner frame defines a central opening extending therethrough. The crimping device can comprise a plurality of jaws operatively coupled to the inner and outer frames, each jaw having an inner portion positioned within the central opening of the inner frame and an engagement portion configured to slide along a respective jaw guide, each jaw guide comprising an inclined guiderail extending between the first and second axial end portions. Relative axial motion between the outer and inner frames causes radial motion of the jaws for crimping a prosthetic device positioned within the central opening.

Abstract: Devices and methods of treating conditions cause or exacerbated by excessive fluid pressures or retentions, such as pulmonary hypertension, that involves shunting excessive fluid pressure from one bodily chamber or vessel to another bodily chamber or vessel.

Abstract: A crimping system for a prosthetic heart valve comprises a split funnel comprising an elongated annular body having an enlarged insertion end, a narrower outlet end, and a central opening extending along a central longitudinal axis of the split funnel, between the insertion end and the outlet end. The body comprises first and second slots extending axially along opposite sides of the body from the outlet end toward the insertion end, the first and second slots defining first and second split portions of the body extending circumferentially between the first and second slots on opposite sides of the central opening. The crimping device is configured to crimp a prosthetic heart valve moving axially through the central opening from the insertion end to the outlet end while allowing portions of the prosthetic heart valve to protrude through the first and second slots and remain in an expanded configuration.

Abstract: Methods and devices that prevent stasis in the LAA by either increasing the flow through the LAA or by closing off or sealing the LAA. Increasing the flow is accomplished through shunts, flow diverters, agitators, or by increasing the size of the ostium. Closing off the LAA is accomplished using seals or by cinching the LAA.

Abstract: Several embodiments and methods are described for draining a lymphatic system for therapeutic purposes. The lymphatic draining can be performed by removal of fluid from the lymphatic system via a needle, a catheter, an access port, a reservoir, a shunt, or a combination of these devices. The drainage devices can be configured for use during only a single procedure or for reoccurring procedures.

Abstract: Methods and devices that prevent stasis in the LAA by either increasing the flow through the LAA or by closing off or sealing the LAA. Increasing the flow is accomplished through shunts, flow diverters, agitators, or by increasing the size of the ostium. Closing off the LAA is accomplished using seals or by cinching the LAA.

Abstract: Several embodiments of a catheter are described, having a balloon configured to slowly inflate and then quickly deflate to create an area of low pressure in the vessels. The balloon can be cycled near the vessels of the kidneys, thereby helping to draw out blood from the kidneys and enhance fluid processing to the bladder.

Abstract: A method for treating a heart valve involves delivering a catheter into a ventricle of a heart, advancing a coil from the catheter, rotating the coil at least partially around a papillary muscle of the ventricle, embedding a distal end of the coil in tissue of the ventricle, and manipulating a suture coupled to the coil to adjust a position of the papillary muscle.

Abstract: Methods and devices that prevent stasis in the LAA by either increasing the flow through the LAA or by closing off or sealing the LAA. Increasing the flow is accomplished through shunts, flow diverters, agitators, or by increasing the size of the ostium. Closing off the LAA is accomplished using seals or by cinching the LAA.

Abstract: Several embodiments of a catheter are described, having a balloon configured to slowly inflate and then quickly deflate to create an area of low pressure in the vessels. The balloon can be cycled near the vessels of the kidneys, thereby helping to draw out blood from the kidneys and enhance fluid processing to the bladder.

Abstract: Low profile biopsy tools and methods that allow relatively large biopsy samples to be taken. The biopsy tools have a first configuration that allows for atraumatic navigation to a targeted lesion, and a second configuration in which a distal end of the biopsy tool expands to take a large tissue sample. The tissue sample may then be retracted into a sheath or other containment feature and removed at a reduced diameter. Also included is an anchored guidewire usable to practice method for navigating a biopsy tool to a targeted lesion after an endoscope has been removed.

Abstract: Establishing connections across tissue walls used to create shunts or similar passageways are formed using methods and devices that utilize magnets for navigation and location of devices on opposite sides of the walls. Various tools are provided that optimize the uses provided by the magnets.

Abstract: A method for treating a heart valve involves delivering a catheter into a ventricle of a heart, advancing a coil from the catheter, rotating the coil at least partially around a papillary muscle of the ventricle, embedding a distal end of the coil in tissue of the ventricle, and manipulating a suture coupled to the coil to adjust a position of the papillary muscle.