Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including implanting an aortic pressure-loss-reduction device in a subject's ascending aorta. A frame of the device includes a first set of sinusoidal struts disposed between a downstream end of an upstream anchor and an upstream end of the intermediate portion, the sinusoidal struts being shaped to form a folded portion between the downstream end of the upstream anchor and the upstream end of the intermediate portion. The frame includes a second set of sinusoidal struts disposed between an upstream end of a downstream anchor and a downstream end of the intermediate portion, the sinusoidal struts being shaped to form a folded portion between the upstream end of the downstream anchor and the downstream end of the intermediate portion. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including implanting an aortic pressure-loss-reduction device in a subject's ascending aorta. While the device is inside a catheter, a distal end of the catheter is placed within the ascending aorta. A proximal covering sheath of the catheter is retracted such as to uncover at least a portion of a downstream anchor, such that the uncovered portion of the downstream anchor includes a portion of the frame that does not have material coupled thereto. Subsequently, a distal covering sheath of the catheter is advanced, such as to cause an upstream anchor to anchor an upstream end device to the subject's ascending aorta, by the upstream anchor radially expanding against an inner wall of the ascending aorta. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: The devices and methods described herein include an implantable body lumen fluid flow modulator including an upstream flow accelerator separated by a gap from a downstream flow decelerator. The gap is a pathway to entrain additional fluid from a branch lumen(s) into the fluid stream flowing from the upstream flow accelerator to the downstream flow decelerator.

Abstract: The acute and chronic devices and methods described herein include a body lumen fluid flow modulator including an upstream flow accelerator and a downstream flow decelerator. The fluid flow modulator preferably includes one or more openings that define a gap/entrainment region that provides a pathway through which additional fluid from a branch lumen(s) is entrained into the fluid stream flowing from the upstream flow accelerator to the downstream flow decelerator. Delivery devices including a sheath and inner assembly also are provided for delivering the flow modulator to the body lumen. The delivery device may maintain the flow modulator in its collapsed, delivery state upon retraction of the sheath for ease of readjustment within the body lumen prior to full deployment of the flow modulator within the body lumen.

Abstract: The devices and methods described herein include an implantable body lumen fluid flow modulator including an upstream flow accelerator separated by a gap from a downstream flow decelerator. The gap is a pathway to entrain additional fluid from a branch lumen(s) into the fluid stream flowing from the upstream flow accelerator to the downstream flow decelerator.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including an aortic pressure-loss-reduction device (20) configured to be implanted inside an ascending aorta of a subject. The aortic pressure-loss-reduction device includes a frame (52) that defines an upstream anchor portion (56UF), an intermediate portion (23F) configured to define a conduit (26) therethrough, and a downstream anchor portion (56DF). Angled struts (150) are disposed between a downstream end of the upstream anchor portion (56UF) and an upstream end of the intermediate portion (23F). The angled struts (150) are configured such that, in response to a diameter of the upstream anchor portion (56UF) changing by an absolute amount, an absolute change in a diameter of the upstream end of the intermediate portion (23F) is less than the absolute amount by which the diameter of the upstream anchor portion (56 UF) changes. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for regulating blood flow in an ascending aorta of a subject including inserting a device into the ascending aorta. When in a deployed state, the device defines an inner surface that defines a conduit through the device, at least a portion of the inner surface diverging, such that a cross-sectional area of the conduit at the downstream end of the diverging portion is greater than a cross-sectional area of the conduit at the upstream end of the diverging portion. The device is deployed within a longitudinal portion of the ascending aorta, such that the device defines the conduit throughout deployment of the device within the longitudinal portion of the ascending aorta. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: The acute and chronic devices and methods described herein include a body lumen fluid flow modulator including an upstream flow accelerator and a downstream flow decelerator. The fluid flow modulator preferably includes one or more openings that define a gap/entrainment region that provides a pathway through which additional fluid from a branch lumen(s) is entrained into the fluid stream flowing from the upstream flow accelerator to the downstream flow decelerator. Delivery devices including a sheath and inner assembly also are provided for delivering the flow modulator to the body lumen. The delivery device may maintain the flow modulator in its collapsed, delivery state upon retraction of the sheath for ease of readjustment within the body lumen prior to full deployment of the flow modulator within the body lumen.

Abstract: The acute and chronic devices and methods described herein include a body lumen fluid flow modulator including an upstream flow accelerator and a downstream flow decelerator. The fluid flow modulator preferably includes one or more openings that define a gap/entrainment region that provides a pathway through which additional fluid from a branch lumen(s) is entrained into the fluid stream flowing from the upstream flow accelerator to the downstream flow decelerator. Delivery devices including a sheath and inner assembly also are provided for delivering the flow modulator to the body lumen. The delivery device may maintain the flow modulator in its collapsed, delivery state upon retraction of the sheath for ease of readjustment within the body lumen prior to full deployment of the flow modulator within the body lumen.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including implanting an aortic pressure-loss-reduction device in a subject's ascending aorta. While the device is inside a catheter, a distal end of the catheter is placed within the ascending aorta. A proximal covering sheath of the catheter is retracted such as to uncover at least a portion of a downstream anchor, such that the uncovered portion of the downstream anchor includes a portion of the frame that does not have material coupled thereto. Subsequently, a distal covering sheath of the catheter is advanced, such as to cause an upstream anchor to anchor an upstream end device to the subject's ascending aorta, by the upstream anchor radially expanding against an inner wall of the ascending aorta. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: The devices and methods described herein include a body lumen fluid flow modulator including an upstream flow accelerator and a downstream flow decelerator. The fluid flow modulator preferably includes one or more openings that define a gap/entrainment region that provides a pathway through which additional fluid from a branch lumen(s) is entrained into the fluid stream flowing from the upstream flow accelerator to the downstream flow decelerator.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including inserting an implantable device (20) into a blood vessel of a subject while the implantable device is disposed inside a delivery device and is constrained in a constrained configuration by the delivery device. The implantable device is released from the delivery device into the blood vessel, thereby causing the implantable device to assume a non-constrained configuration by an upstream end of the implantable device radially expanding (120), a central portion (122) of the implantable device radially expanding such that along the central portion of the implantable device the inner surface (24) of the implantable device defines a diverging portion (25) of a conduit (26), and the implantable device forming a folded portion (128) between the upstream end of the implantable device and the central portion of the implantable device. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including implanting an aortic pressure-loss-reduction device (20) in a subject's ascending aorta. While the device is inside a catheter (42), a distal end of the catheter is placed within the ascending aorta. A proximal covering sheath (44) of the catheter is retracted such as to uncover at least a portion of a downstream anchor (31), such that the uncovered portion of the downstream anchor includes a portion of the frame that does not have material coupled thereto. Subsequently, a distal covering sheath (45) of the catheter is advanced, such as to cause an upstream anchor (33) to anchor an upstream end device (20) to the subject's ascending aorta, by the upstream anchor radially expending against an inner wall of the ascending aorta. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including implanting an aortic pressure-loss-reduction device (20) in a subject's ascending aorta. While the device is inside a catheter (42), a distal end of the catheter is placed within the ascending aorta. A proximal covering sheath (44) of the catheter is retracted such as to uncover at least a portion of a downstream anchor (31), such that the uncovered portion of the downstream anchor includes a portion of the frame that does not have material coupled thereto. Subsequently, a distal covering sheath (45) of the catheter is advanced, such as to cause an upstream anchor (33) to anchor an upstream end device (20) to the subject's ascending aorta, by the upstream anchor radially expending against an inner wall of the ascending aorta. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for regulating blood flow in an ascending aorta of a subject including inserting a device into the ascending aorta. When in a deployed state, the device defines an inner surface that defines a conduit through the device, at least a portion of the inner surface diverging, such that a cross-sectional area of the conduit at the downstream end of the diverging portion is greater than a cross-sectional area of the conduit at the upstream end of the diverging portion. The device is deployed within a longitudinal portion of the ascending aorta, such that the device defines the conduit throughout deployment of the device within the longitudinal portion of the ascending aorta. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: The devices and methods described herein include an implantable body lumen fluid flow modulator including an upstream flow accelerator separated by a gap from a downstream flow decelerator. The gap is a pathway to entrain additional fluid from a branch lumen(s) into the fluid stream flowing from the upstream flow accelerator to the downstream flow decelerator.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for regulating blood flow in an ascending aorta of a subject including inserting a device (20) into the ascending aorta. When in a deployed state, the device defines an inner surface (24) that defines a conduit (26) through the device, at least a portion (25) of the inner surface diverging, such that a cross-sectional area of the conduit at the downstream end (34) of the diverging portion is greater than a cross-sectional area of the conduit at the upstream end (30) of the diverging portion. The device is deployed within a longitudinal portion of the ascending aorta, such that blood flow through the portion of the ascending aorta, via any flow path other than through the conduit, is less than 20 percent of total blood flow through the portion of the ascending aorta. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including inserting an implantable device (20) into a blood vessel of a subject while the implantable device is disposed inside a delivery device and is constrained in a constrained configuration by the delivery device. The implantable device is released from the delivery device into the blood vessel, thereby causing the implantable device to assume a non-constrained configuration by an upstream end of the implantable device radially expanding (120), a central portion (122) of the implantable device radially expanding such that along the central portion of the implantable device the inner surface (24) of the implantable device defines a diverging portion (25) of a conduit (26), and the implantable device forming a folded portion (128) between the upstream end of the implantable device and the central portion of the implantable device. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: The devices and methods described herein include an implantable body lumen fluid flow modulator including an upstream flow accelerator separated by a gap from a downstream flow decelerator. The gap is a pathway to entrain additional fluid from a branch lumen(s) into the fluid stream flowing from the upstream flow accelerator to the downstream flow decelerator.

Abstract: The devices and methods described herein include an implantable body lumen fluid flow modulator including an upstream flow accelerator separated by a gap from a downstream flow decelerator. The gap is a pathway to entrain additional fluid from a branch lumen(s) into the fluid stream flowing from the upstream flow accelerator to the downstream flow decelerator.