Abstract: A split-tip catheter and methods for deploying a split-tip catheter in a right atrium are provided. The catheter is configured with a distal portion including a first and a second distal end regions elastically divergable from alignment along a splitting plane to regain a relaxed configuration. The first distal end region terminates in a first tip having a first forward opening, and the second distal end region terminates in a second tip having a second forward opening. Catheter deployment may include directing the first forward opening generally towards an anterior right atrium wall portion and applying the first forward opening to withdraw blood from the right atrium.

Abstract: A split-tip catheter and methods for deploying a split-tip catheter in a right atrium are provided. The catheter is configured with a distal portion including a first and a second distal end regions elastically divergable from alignment along a splitting plane to regain a relaxed configuration. The first distal end region terminates in a first tip having a first forward opening, and the second distal end region terminates in a second tip having a second forward opening. Catheter deployment may include directing the first forward opening generally towards an anterior right atrium wall portion and applying the first forward opening to withdraw blood from the right atrium.

Abstract: For some applications, apparatus is provided for facilitating implantation of a prosthetic valve (150) at a native heart valve (120) of a subject, the apparatus comprising a prosthetic valve support (22), the prosthetic valve support (a) being configured to be transluminally-deliverable to the native valve and to be deployable at the native valve, and (b) comprising one or more tissue-engaging elements (24), configured to couple the prosthetic valve support to leaflets (128) of the native valve without eliminating check valve functionality of the native valve. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including: (A) a valve body (204) including a first frame (206) shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and a valve member (205) disposed within the lumen, (B) an upstream support (210), configured to be placed against an upstream surface of a native heart valve, and (C) a flexible sheet (214) that couples the upstream support to the valve body. The valve body has a compressed state in which the first frame has a first diameter, and an expanded state in which the first frame has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. The support includes a second frame (212) that has a compressed state, and an expanded state in which the second frame is annular, has an inner perimeter that defines an opening through the second frame, and has an outer perimeter. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including: (A) a valve body (204) including a first frame (206) shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and a valve member (205) disposed within the lumen, (B) an upstream support (210), configured to be placed against an upstream surface of a native heart valve, and (C) a flexible sheet (214) that couples the upstream support to the valve body. The valve body has a compressed state in which the first frame has a first diameter, and an expanded state in which the first frame has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. The support includes a second frame (212) that has a compressed state, and an expanded state in which the second frame is annular, has an inner perimeter that defines an opening through the second frame, and has an outer perimeter. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including: (A) a valve body (204) including a first frame (206) shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and a valve member (205) disposed within the lumen, (B) an upstream support (210), configured to be placed against an upstream surface of a native heart valve, and (C) a flexible sheet (214) that couples the upstream support to the valve body. The valve body has a compressed state in which the first frame has a first diameter, and an expanded state in which the first frame has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. The support includes a second frame (212) that has a compressed state, and an expanded state in which the second frame is annular, has an inner perimeter that defines an opening through the second frame, and has an outer perimeter. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A split-tip catheter and methods for deploying a split-tip catheter in a right atrium are provided. The catheter is configured with a distal portion including a first and a second distal end regions elastically divergable from alignment along a splitting plane to regain a relaxed configuration. The first distal end region terminates in a first tip having a first forward opening, and the second distal end region terminates in a second tip having a second forward opening. Catheter deployment may include directing the first forward opening generally towards an anterior right atrium wall portion and applying the first forward opening to withdraw blood from the right atrium.

Abstract: A split-tip catheter and methods for deploying a split-tip catheter in a right atrium are provided. The catheter is configured with a distal potion including a first and a second distal end regions elastically divergable from alignment along a splitting plane to regain a relaxed configuration. The first distal end region terminates in a first tip having a first forward opening, and the second distal end region terminates in a second tip having a second forward opening. Catheter deployment may include directing the first forward opening generally towards an anterior right atrium wall portion and applying the first forward opening to withdraw blood from the right atrium.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including: (A) a valve body (204) including a first frame (206) shaped to define a lumen therethrough, and a valve member (205) disposed within the lumen, (B) an upstream support (210), configured to be placed against an upstream surface of a native heart valve, and (C) a flexible sheet (214) that couples the upstream support to the valve body. The valve body has a compressed state in which the first frame has a first diameter, and an expanded state in which the first frame has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. The support includes a second frame (212) that has a compressed state, and an expanded state in which the second frame is annular, has an inner perimeter that defines an opening through the second frame, and has an outer perimeter. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use at a native valve of a heart of a subject. The apparatus includes a delivery tube, transluminally advanceable to the heart; and a prosthetic valve support, configured to support a prosthetic valve at the native valve, and comprising an upstream support portion. The upstream support portion has a working configuration in which it is generally annular and has (1) a tissue-contacting side configured to be placed against an atrial surface of the native valve, and (2) an opposing side, and defines an opening therebetween. The upstream support portion also has a delivery configuration in which the upstream support portion is rolled up to define a channel, and is disposed within the delivery tube. The upstream support portion is configured to be transitioned from the delivery configuration to the working configuration by being exposed from the delivery tube, and unrolled.

Abstract: A split-tip catheter and methods for deploying a split-tip catheter in a right atrium are provided. The catheter is configured with a distal portion including a first and a second distal end regions elastically divergable from alignment along a splitting plane to regain a relaxed configuration. The first distal end region terminates in a first tip having a first forward opening, and the second distal end region terminates in a second tip having a second forward opening. Catheter deployment may include directing the first forward opening generally towards an anterior right atrium wall portion and applying the first forward opening to withdraw blood from the right atrium.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve comprises a valve body, comprising a tubular frame and a plurality of leaflets; an upstream support, comprising a second frame; and a flexible sheet that couples the upstream support to the valve body. The prosthetic valve is compressible into a delivery tool such that the prosthetic valve is in a compressed state in which the second frame and the tubular frame are arranged in series within the tool, and the valve body has a compressed body-diameter. The prosthetic valve is deployable from the tool such that the prosthetic valve automatically expands into an expanded state. In the expanded state, the second frame defines an inner perimeter, the sheet extends inwardly from the inner perimeter to the valve body, and the prosthetic valve defines a conduit through the upstream support and the valve body. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus for use at a native heart valve of a subject is described. For some applications, the apparatus comprises a prosthetic valve support, configured (a) to be implanted at the native valve, (b) to facilitate, at a first period, implantation at the native valve of a first prosthetic valve, and (c) to facilitate, at a second period, implantation at the native valve of a second prosthetic valve. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: For some applications, apparatus is provided for facilitating implantation of a prosthetic valve at a native heart valve of a subject, the apparatus comprising a prosthetic valve support, the prosthetic valve support (a) being configured to be transluminally-deliverable to the native valve and to be deployable at the native valve, and (b) comprising one or more tissue-engaging elements, configured to couple the prosthetic valve support to leaflets of the native valve without eliminating check valve functionality of the native valve. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve includes a frame, at least one valve member, and a covering. The frame defines a tubular valve body, has a downstream portion, and is shaped to define a continuous lumen through the valve body and the downstream portion. The at least one valve member is disposed within the lumen, and is configured to facilitate unidirectional flow of blood from an upstream end of the valve body to the downstream portion. The covering lines an inner surface of the frame, and extends around a downstream end of the frame to be disposed over an outer surface of the downstream portion.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve comprises a valve body, comprising a tubular frame and a plurality of leaflets; an upstream support, comprising a second frame; and a flexible sheet that couples the upstream support to the valve body. The prosthetic valve is compressible into a delivery tool such that the prosthetic valve is in a compressed state in which the second frame and the tubular frame are arranged in series within the tool, and the valve body has a compressed body-diameter. The prosthetic valve is deployable from the tool such that the prosthetic valve automatically expands into an expanded state. In the expanded state, the second frame defines an inner perimeter, the sheet extends inwardly from the inner perimeter to the valve body, and the prosthetic valve defines a conduit through the upstream support and the valve body. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use at a native valve of a heart of a subject. The apparatus includes a delivery tube, transluminally advanceable to the heart; and a prosthetic valve support, configured to support a prosthetic valve at the native valve, and comprising an upstream support portion. The upstream support portion has a working configuration in which it is generally annular and has (1) a tissue-contacting side configured to be placed against an atrial surface of the native valve, and (2) an opposing side, and defines an opening therebetween. The upstream support portion also has a delivery configuration in which the upstream support portion is rolled up to define a channel, and is disposed within the delivery tube. The upstream support portion is configured to be transitioned from the delivery configuration to the working configuration by being exposed from the delivery tube, and unrolled.

Abstract: A split-tip catheter and methods for deploying a split-tip catheter in a right atrium are provided. The catheter is configured with a distal potion including a first and a second distal end regions elastically divergable from alignment along a splitting plane to regain a relaxed configuration. The first distal end region terminates in a first tip having a first forward opening, and the second distal end region terminates in a second tip having a second forward opening. Catheter deployment may include directing the first forward opening generally towards an anterior right atrium wall portion and applying the first forward opening to withdraw blood from the right atrium.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided, including: (1) a delivery tube, transluminally advanceable to the heart of the subject; (2) a prosthetic valve support, configured to support a prosthetic valve at a native valve of the heart, and including an upstream support portion, the upstream support portion: (A) having a working configuration in which it is generally annular and (B) having a delivery configuration in which it defines a channel, and is configured to be disposed within the delivery tube; (3) a tissue anchor, slidable through the channel; and (4) an anchor driver. The anchor driver is slidable within the delivery tube and the channel, and configured to anchor the upstream support portion to tissue of the heart by driving the tissue anchor through the upstream support portion and into the tissue, while at least part of the upstream support portion is disposed within the delivery tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for use at a native heart valve of a subject is described. For some applications, the apparatus comprises a prosthetic valve support, configured (a) to be implanted at the native valve, (b) to facilitate, at a first period, implantation at the native valve of a first prosthetic valve, and (c) to facilitate, at a second period, implantation at the native valve of a second prosthetic valve. Other embodiments are also described.