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: Devices and methods of treating fluid retention caused by congestive heart failure or other conditions resulting in edema, lymphoedema, or significant fluid retention (e.g., deep vein thrombosis, cellulitis, venous stasis insufficiency, or damage to the lymphatic network) are described. Specifically, a treatment device is used to create a passage or cannula between the lymphatic system (or other area of the body) and an external drainage device. This device can be only temporarily located in the patient or can be implanted within the patient for longer periods of time. The physician can safely and reliably remove excess fluid from the body via the device and optionally inject other treatment agents.

Abstract: Renal and urine collection system interventions are provided that improve kidney function by manipulating pressures and/or infusing therapeutic agents in the renal pelvis of the kidney or kidneys. Setting a vacuum and/or infusing therapeutic agents in the renal pelvis results in increased glomerular filtration rate, general solute clearance, and free water excretion via the kidney through the urinary tract and is useful for treatment of CHF, ADHF, AKI, CKD, and many other conditions characterized by fluid overload by reducing fluid buildup. The fluid drawn from the renal pelvis or pelvises is delivered to an external or implanted reservoir or to the bladder using flow manipulation mechanism such as one-way valves, occlusion balloons, multi-lumen catheters, and other mechanisms. Pumps are provided for use in establishing the vacuum pressures that are either manual or motorized.

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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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: Methods and techniques are disclosed for performing transcatheter procedures on a patient that result in similar blood flow changes to the surgical Blalock-Taussig procedure, the Glenn procedure, and the Fontan procedure. Since these transcatheter procedures do not necessarily involve open chest surgery, they tend to be less traumatic for the patient, quicker and easier to perform, and may result in better patient outcomes.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve includes a radially collapsible and radially expandable annular frame. The frame includes an annular main body sized to be implanted within a native mitral valve annulus. The frame also includes an atrial sealing member coupled to and extending radially away from the main body. The atrial sealing member is sized to extend over tissue of the native mitral annulus within a left atrium to reduce paravalvular leakage. The atrial sealing member includes an inner zig-zag portion and an outer zig-zag portion. The inner zig-zag portion and the outer zig-zag portion are connected to the main body portion only via a fabric to enhance flexibility of the atrial sealing member relative to the main body. The prosthetic valve also includes a valve member disposed within an interior of the frame.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve includes a radially collapsible and radially expandable annular frame. The frame includes an annular main body sized to be implanted within a native mitral valve annulus. The frame also includes an atrial sealing member coupled to and extending radially away from the main body. The atrial sealing member is sized to extend over tissue of the native mitral annulus within a left atrium to reduce paravalvular leakage. The atrial sealing member includes an inner zig-zag portion and an outer zig-zag portion. The inner zig-zag portion and the outer zig-zag portion are connected to the main body portion only via a fabric to enhance flexibility of the atrial sealing member relative to the main body. The prosthetic valve also includes a valve member disposed within an interior of the frame.

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 device includes a main body, a first anchor, a second anchor, a first anchor spreader, and a second anchor spreader. The first anchor is coupled to the main body such that a spring force of the first anchor biases the first anchor toward the main body. The second anchor is coupled to the main body such that a spring force of the second anchor biases the second anchor against the main body. The first anchor spreader is coupled to the first anchor such that applying a force to the first anchor spreader moves the first anchor away from the main body against the spring force of the first anchor. The second anchor spreader is coupled to the second anchor such that applying a force to the second anchor spreader moves the second anchor away from the main body against the spring force of the second anchor.

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: 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: 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 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: Devices and methods of treating fluid retention caused by congestive heart failure or other conditions resulting in edema, lymphoedema, or significant fluid retention (e.g., deep vein thrombosis, cellulitis, venous stasis insufficiency, or damage to the lymphatic network) are described. Specifically, a treatment device is used to create a passage or cannula between the lymphatic system (or other area of the body) and an external drainage device. This device can be only temporarily located in the patient or can be implanted within the patient for longer periods of time. The physician can safely and reliably remove excess fluid from the body via the device and optionally inject other treatment agents.