Abstract: The current invention discloses a catheter and a method for delivering a stentless bloprosthesis in a body channel, the method comprising percutaneously introducing a catheter into the body channel, wherein the catheter contains said stentless bloprosthesis at a retracted state; and disengaging said stentless bioprosthesis out of a distal opening of the catheter by a pulling mechanism associated with the catheter structure.

Abstract: This invention discloses a percutaneously deliverable heart valve and delivery means thereof, wherein the percutaneously deliverable heart valve is a foldable heart valve prosthesis to replace a diseased valve of a patient comprising: a support structure with a diameter, wherein the support structure is foldable to a smaller diameter, the support structure comprising a plurality of crossbar frames, wherein each crossbar frame has a plurality of crossbars connected at an end of each crossbar; a flexible tissue heart valve with a plurality of valvular leaflets attached to the support structure; and a plurality of slidable ring connectors, wherein at least a slidable ring connector encircles a first crossbar from a first crossbar frame and a second crossbar from a second crossbar frame configured to coupling the first and the second crossbars.

Abstract: This invention discloses a percutaneous delivered heart valve and delivery means thereof, wherein the percutaneous delivered heart valve is a twistedly foldable heart valve prosthesis comprising a generally cylindrical support element with a diameter, wherein the support element is twistedly foldable to a smaller diameter, a flexible heart valve with a plurality of valvular leaflets releasably attached to said support element, and a receptacle having a plurality of connecting members secured to the cylindrical support element, wherein the receptacle is releasably matched to an expanding element capable of untwisting the receptacle adapted for un-twisting and unfolding said heart valve.

Abstract: A method and devices for treating a target tissue comprising providing thermal energy to the target tissue and simultaneously providing cryogenic energy to peripheral tissue adjacent or surrounding said target tissue adapted for shielding the peripheral tissue from any adverse effect of the thermal energy. The cooling may be accomplished with a cryogenic arrangement comprising two elements of different electromotive potential conductively connected at a probe junction, and passing an electrical current through the elements to reduce a temperature of the probe junction in accordance with the Peltier effect.

Abstract: The current invention discloses a catheter and a method for delivering a stentless bioprosthesis in a body channel, the method comprising percutaneously introducing a catheter into the body channel, wherein the catheter contains said stentless bioprosthesis at a retracted state; and disengaging said stentless bioprosthesis out of a distal opening of the catheter by a pulling mechanism associated with the catheter structure.

Abstract: This invention discloses a medical catheter and methods for removing a defective valve from a patient endoluminally. The method may comprise inserting a medical catheter endoluminally to a site of the defective valve; deploying a coupling mechanism of said medical catheter to stabilize and immobilize a free edge of at least one valve leaflet; deploying a cutting mechanism of said medical catheter to cut a valve base of said defective valve; and removing said defective valve from the patient.

Abstract: An expandable annular ring for implantation in a valvular annulus and its percutaneous use thereof comprises a plurality of stenting elements made of a first shape-memory material having a first shape-transition temperature, wherein the first shape-memory material expands to a preshape when the first shape-memory material is heated to above the first shape-transition temperature; and a plurality of anchoring elements made of a second shape-memory material having a second shape-transition temperature that is higher than the first shape-transition temperature, wherein the second shape-memory material expands to the second preshape when the second shape-memory material is heated to above the second shape-transition temperature.

Abstract: A stentless atrioventricular valve intended for attaching to a circumferential valve ring and papillary muscles of a patient comprising a singular flexible membrane of tissue or synthetic biomaterial, the valve having a sewing ring, an anterior cusp and a posterior, wherein the anterior cusp and said posterior cusp are an integral part of a continuum from the singular membrane without sutured commissure between remote ends of the cusps and wherein texture elements secured at edge portions of the cusps configured to extend the texture elements for connection to papillary muscles in a ventricle cavity when the sewing ring is sutured to an atrioventricular junction of a patient heart.

Abstract: A supportless atrioventricular valve intended for attaching to a circumferential valve ring and papillary muscles of a patient comprising a singular flexible membrane of tissue or synthetic biomaterial, wherein a minimally invasive delivery system is provided through a percutaneous intercostal penetration and a penetration at the cardiac wall into a left atrium of the heart.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for differentiating in a given area of tissue a tumorous tissue from a normal tissue, the method comprising measuring a plurality of tissue impedance over a range of tissue temperatures and comparing the measured tissue impedance with reference tissue impedance of the normal tissue adapted for tissue differentiation. The management of tissue temperatures may be accomplished with a probe arrangement comprising two elements of different electromotive potential conductively connected at a probe junction, and passing an electrical current through the elements to reduce or raise a temperature of the probe junction in accordance with the Peltier effect.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing an antigen in vivo comprising introducing a diagnosing element to contact with a biological fluid containing said antigen at a site inside a patient, wherein said diagnosing element comprises antibody conjugate-able to said antigen adapted to form antigen-antibody conjugate; quantifying the antigen-antibody conjugate, wherein said quantification of the antigen-antibody conjugate is performed by means for assaying said antigen-antibody conjugate in vivo, and/or prorating a quantity of antigen-antibody conjugate to a reference quantity of antigen.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering an annuloplasty ring through a percutaneous intercostal penetration of a patient's chest comprising an elongated handle having a distal end, a distal opening, and a lumen; a ring holder placed within the lumen of the elongated handle and configured to be releasably coupled to the annuloplasty ring, wherein the annuloplasty ring is retractable to a low tubular-profile suitable for being releasably coupled to the ring holder adapted for being placed within said lumen of the handle; and a deployment mechanism coupled to the ring holder and located on the elongated handle, said deployment mechanism being configured for deploying the ring holder out of said distal opening of the handle and for recessing the ring holder within said lumen.

Abstract: A method and devices for treating a target tissue comprising providing thermal energy to the target tissue and simultaneously providing cryogenic energy to peripheral tissue adjacent or surrounding said target tissue adapted for shielding the peripheral tissue from any adverse effect of the thermal energy. The cooling may be accomplished with a cryogenic arrangement comprising two elements of different electromotive potential conductively connected at a probe junction, and passing an electrical current through the elements to reduce a temperature of the probe junction in accordance with the Peltier effect.

Abstract: A vascular graft comprising Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and/or Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) for enhanced site-specific angiogenesis and methods thereof are disclosed. At least one VEGF, PDGF or angiogenesis factor is incorporated into the vascular graft to facilitate enhanced angiogenesis so as the cells are stimulated to migrate to environments having higher concentration of growth factors and start mitosis.

Abstract: A method and devices for differentiating in a given area of tissue a tumorous tissue from a normal tissue, the method comprising measuring a plurality of tissue impedance over a range of tissue temperatures and comparing the measured tissue impedance with reference tissue impedance of the normal tissue adapted for tissue differentiation. The management of tissue temperatures may be accomplished with a probe arrangement comprising two elements of different electromotive potential conductively connected at a probe junction, and passing an electrical current through the elements to reduce or raise a temperature of the probe junction in accordance with the Peltier effect.

Abstract: A method and devices for rendering a focal tissue of a vulnerable plaque less vulnerable in a patient, comprising cooling said vulnerable plaque. The cooling may be accomplished with a cryogenic catheter, wherein said cryogenic catheter is provided with a cryogenic fluid path to cool a distal contact section of the catheter. Alternately, the cryogenic catheter may comprise elements of different electromotive potential conductively connected at a tip junction, the method further comprising passing an electrical current through said elements to reduce a temperature of the tip junction in accordance with the Peltier effect adapted for thermoelectric cooling said vulnerable plaque.

Abstract: This invention discloses a bio-screening method for preparing a biomaterial adapted for medical device use, the method comprising chemically treating tissue of biological origin from a mammal. The mammal of the present invention comprises a perissodactylous ungulate that is naturally absent of foot-and-mouth disease and/or transmissible spongiform encephalopathy disease.

Abstract: This invention discloses a medical catheter and methods for removing a defective valve from a patient endoluminally. The method may comprise inserting a medical catheter endoluminally to a site of the defective valve; deploying a coupling mechanism of said medical catheter to stabilize and immobilize a free edge of at least one valve leaflet; deploying a cutting mechanism of said medical catheter to cut a valve base of said defective valve; and removing said defective valve from the patient.

Abstract: The current invention discloses a catheter and a method for delivering a stentless bioprosthesis in a body channel, the method comprising percutaneously introducing a catheter into the body channel, wherein the catheter contains said stentless bioprosthesis at a retracted state; and disengaging said stentless bioprosthesis out of a distal opening of the catheter by a pulling mechanism associated with the catheter structure.

Abstract: An expandable annuloplasty ring which may be enlarged in situ comprising essentially uniform ring distension in the circumferential direction. The expandable annuloplasty ring is usable in pediatric patients whose growth necessitates enlargement of the ring by application of shape-memory material by way of heat activation or other non-mechanical means to accommodate growth of the annulus. The invention includes a non-contact method for post-implantation enlargement of the annuloplasty ring via a magnetic circuit or an external heat source.