Abstract: A method of reducing regurgitation between native leaflets of an atrioventricular heart valve includes advancing a delivery catheter through a sheath, wherein the delivery catheter has a valve leaflet coaptation element mounted over a distal end portion. The coaptation element is positioned within the heart valve and is permitted to radially expand from a compressed configuration to an enlarged configuration for filling a gap between the native leaflets of the heart valve. After deployment, the position of the coaptation element is fixed relative to the heart valve, thereby reducing regurgitation between the native leaflets of the heart valve and improving heart function.

Abstract: A vibratory hammer for use in driving a work piece such as a pile, pipe, caisson or plate into the earth includes a support frame 10 adapted to be suspended from a crane or the like, and a vibrator assembly 12 that is suspended from the frame. The vibrator assembly includes at least one pair of laterally spaced, parallel rotary shafts 40 that are rotatable in opposite directions to one another, and a weight 46 is supported on each shaft. Each weight is shiftable radially relative to the corresponding shaft between a balanced position in which the center of mass of the weight is collinear with the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and an eccentric position in which the center of mass of the weight is offset radially from the longitudinal axis of the shaft. Preferably, a fluid-actuated piston-and-cylinder assembly 54 is supported between each weight and the corresponding shaft for selectively carrying out the shifting movement of the weights. However, other types of shifting mechanisms could also be employed.