Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve for implantation within a native atrioventricular heart valve. The prosthetic heart valve includes a radially collapsible and radially expandable annular frame having an annular main body and a valve member disposed within the main body. The frame further includes a plurality of serpentine arms that are arranged side-by-side in a circumferential direction around the main body, wherein each serpentine arm has one end connected to an atrial end of the main body and extends away from the main body.

Abstract: A cryobiopsy device may be comprised of a sampling system forming a handle for a user to hold and a refrigerant system providing a refrigerant to the sampling system from a removable gas canister. The sampling system also includes a refrigerant controller connected to a valve assembly for controlling the flow of refrigerant from the refrigerant system, and a probe assembly cooled by the refrigerant to retrieve tissue samples via cryo-adhesion. The sampling system may further include a position controller to extend and retract a distal tip of the probe assembly based on a desired sample size.

Abstract: Methods and devices for increasing oxygenation levels in the blood supply and thereby treating the condition of hypoxemia. Multiple approaches such as pressure reduction in the pulmonary circulatory system, reducing triggering mechanisms in the main pulmonary artery and restricting flow in the pulmonary circulatory system are disclosed. Interventions associated with those approaches can including shunting, restrictors, compliance devices, pharmacologic substances, etc.

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: Prosthetic valve support structures of this specification include a body portion, an atrial flange portion, and a leaflet engaging portion. As the support structure (and the valve as a whole) is pushed out of or otherwise unrestrained from a delivery device, the free end(s) of the leaflet engaging portion will begin to bend radially outward or away from the body portion and will continue bending as more is exposed until its free end(s) are angled in an inflow direction, thereby positioning themselves between the radial outside of the native valve leaflets and the outflow track beyond the native valve annulus. As the support structure fully expands, the native valve leaflets remain trapped or engaged between the leaflet engaging portion and the body portion.

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 method for treating a heart valve involves introducing a delivery system holding a papillary muscle manipulation device into a ventricle of a heart. The papillary muscle manipulation device includes a spring coil, a first arm that emanates from a first end of the spring coil, and a second arm that emanates from a second end of the spring coil. The method further involves deploying the papillary muscle manipulation device from the delivery system between a first papillary muscle and a second papillary muscle within the ventricle, wrapping the first arm around first papillary muscle anatomy associated with the first papillary muscle, wrapping the second arm around second papillary muscle anatomy associated with the second papillary muscle, and using spring force of the spring coil to draw the first arm and the second arm together to thereby draw the papillary muscles together.

Abstract: A method for heart valve replacement comprises forming an incision in a wall of a ventricle of a heart and inserting a delivery apparatus and a prosthetic heart valve through the incision and into the ventricle of the heart. The prosthetic valve comprises a self-expanding frame having an annular main body and a valve member disposed within the annular main body. The prosthetic valve further comprises an atrial sealing member formed by an annular metal ring and a fabric, wherein only the fabric of the atrial sealing member is connected to the main body for enhancing the flexibility and conformability of the atrial sealing member. The method further comprises deploying the prosthetic valve from the delivery apparatus such that the atrial sealing member extends radially outwardly from the main body within an atrium of the heart and the main body self-expands to a deployed state within a native heart valve.

Abstract: Prosthetic valve support structures of this specification include a body portion, an atrial flange portion, and a leaflet engaging portion. As the support structure (and the valve as a whole) is pushed out of or otherwise unrestrained from a delivery device, the free end(s) of the leaflet engaging portion will begin to bend radially outward or away from the body portion and will continue bending as more is exposed until its free end(s) are angled in an inflow direction, thereby positioning themselves between the radial outside of the native valve leaflets and the outflow track beyond the native valve annulus. As the support structure fully expands, the native valve leaflets remain trapped or engaged between the leaflet engaging portion and the body portion.

Abstract: A prosthetic device includes a main body, a first anchor, and a second anchor. The main body has an atrial end and a ventricular end. The main body tapers from the atrial end to the ventricular end. The first and second anchors are coupled to the main body and are movable toward and away from the main body.

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: Prosthetic valve support structures of this specification include a body portion, an atrial flange portion, and a leaflet engaging portion. As the support structure (and the valve as a whole) is pushed out of or otherwise unrestrained from a delivery device, the free end(s) of the leaflet engaging portion will begin to bend radially outward or away from the body portion and will continue bending as more is exposed until its free end(s) are angled in an inflow direction, thereby positioning themselves between the radial outside of the native valve leaflets and the outflow track beyond the native valve annulus. As the support structure fully expands, the native valve leaflets remain trapped or engaged between the leaflet engaging portion and the body portion.

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 prosthetic heart valve for implantation within a native atrioventricular heart valve. The prosthetic heart valve includes a self-expanding frame having an annular main body and a valve member disposed within the main body. The prosthetic heart valve includes an atrial sealing member formed by a fabric cover and a plurality of arms that are arranged side-by-side in a circumferential direction around the main body. The atrial sealing member extends radially outwardly from the main body and a peripheral portion of the atrial sealing member curves upwardly for conforming to surrounding native anatomy. The prosthetic heart valve further includes one or more ventricular anchors extending from the main body for capturing native leaflet tissue and thereby securing the prosthetic heart valve within the native atrioventricular heart valve.

Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthetic apparatus preferably includes delivering the prosthetic apparatus to a native mitral valve and exposing ventricular anchors and a spacer body of the prosthetic apparatus from a distal end portion of a delivery apparatus. The ventricular anchors are controllably and forcibly expanded outwardly from the spacer body to an expanded configuration. The prosthetic apparatus is positioned relative to the native mitral valve such that native mitral valve leaflets are located between the ventricular anchors and the spacer body. The ventricular anchors are then contracted radially inwardly toward the spacer body to a compressed configuration. In the compressed configuration, the native mitral valve leaflets are secured between the ventricular anchors and the spacer body. After implantation, the spacer body is held between the native mitral valve leaflets, thereby blocking regurgitation and improving the function of the native mitral valve.

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: Disclosed herein are devices and methods for creating a shunt between two vessels or lumens within a patient. While these devices and methods are generally described with regard to treatment of hypertension (e.g., pulmonary arterial hypertension) and/or right heart failure/disfunction, they can be used with a variety of different vessels and lumens for other purposes. The devices include puncturing guidewire embodiments that can more accurately pierce two vessels, as well as snare catheter designs that can prevent unwanted damage from a puncturing guidewire.

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.