Abstract: This disclosure relates to composite materials for repairing a tissue of a subject by implanting the composite material in or on the tissue, e.g., heart tissue. In certain embodiments, the composite material comprises a first material and a second material coated on the first material, wherein the first material is an inert substantially non-biodegradable material providing mechanical support; wherein the second material is a biodegradable active material attracting cells from the body of a subject, and wherein, when the composite material is implanted, cells integrate into the inert material providing a remodeled tissue. In certain embodiments, this disclosure relates to methods of using the composite material wherein the inert and active materials allow for remodeling of the material in vivo.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device that is configured to be implanted on the native leaflet of a heart valve to increase its length and/or thickness and thereby to improve the valve function and reduce regurgitation. The device may include a leaflet section. The leaflet section may include a central member. The central member may include a first portion, a second portion that opposes the first portion, and a base portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The first section may extend from the first portion and the second section may extend from the second portion. The device may include one or more engaging members extending from the central member at an angle with respect to the first section and the second section. The second section may be larger than the first section. The leaflet section may define a three-dimensional region or a bulge.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device that is configured to be implanted on the native leaflet of a heart valve to increase its length and/or thickness and thereby to improve the valve function and reduce regurgitation. The device may include a leaflet section. The leaflet section may include a central member. The central member may include a first portion, a second portion that opposes the first portion, and a base portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The first section may extend from the first portion and the second section may extend from the second portion. The device may include one or more engaging members extending from the central member at an angle with respect to the first section and the second section. The second section may be larger than the first section. The leaflet section may define a three-dimensional region or a bulge.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device that is configured to be implanted on the native leaflet of a heart valve to increase its length and/or thickness and thereby to improve the valve function and reduce regurgitation. The device may include a leaflet section. The leaflet section may include a central member. The central member may include a first portion, a second portion that opposes the first portion, and a base portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The first section may extend from the first portion and the second section may extend from the second portion. The device may include one or more engaging members extending from the central member at an angle with respect to the first section and the second section. The second section may be larger than the first section. The leaflet section may define a three-dimensional region or a bulge.

Abstract: The devices and methods relate to devices for stabilizing and/or positioning tissue (e.g., heart) within a surgical area. The device may include an articulating arm and a tissue stabilizing member. The device may include one or more stabilizing segments disposed along at least a portion of the length of the articulating arm. Each stabilizing segment may be configured to compress and expand with respect to an internal channel of the arm. The articulating arm may be configured to move between a fixed state and movable state based on a state of the one or more stabilizing segments. In the fixed state, the one or more stabilizing segments may be compressed against the internal channel. In the movable state, the one or more stabilizing segments may be expanded with respect to the internal channel.

Abstract: The devices and methods relate to devices for stabilizing and/or positioning tissue (e.g., heart) within a surgical area. The device may include an articulating arm and a tissue stabilizing member. The device may include one or more stabilizing segments disposed along at least a portion of the length of the articulating arm. Each stabilizing segment may be configured to compress and expand with respect to an internal channel of the arm. The articulating arm may be configured to move between a fixed state and movable state based on a state of the one or more stabilizing segments. In the fixed state, the one or more stabilizing segments may be compressed against the internal channel. In the movable state, the one or more stabilizing segments may be expanded with respect to the internal channel.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring, configured for implantation in the annulus of a heart valve, comprising multiple segments each of which are geometrically shaped from a three dimensional perspective to conform to the anatomic shape of the valve annulus. In one embodiment, at least one of the multiple segments of the annuloplasty ring is configured to facilitate a reduction of tension on heart valve tissue and eliminate a substantial portion of potential pressure or force that may be applied to the atrio-ventricular node by the annuloplasty ring when inserted into a heart valve. In another embodiment, at least one of the multiple segments of the annuloplasty ring are configured to include an assembly that facilitates selective adjustment of a segment's respective length and/or shape. The adjustment of the length of one of the ring segment's results in an adjustment of at least one angle between at least one set of other ring segments, thereby causing an adjustment to the geometric characteristics of the ring.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for and a method of delivering and implanting a surgical device on an anatomic structure is through minimally invasive procedures. The method is facilitated by an apparatus including a unitary tube (106) operatively connected to a deployment head (118) controlled by an apparatus controller. The deployment head is configured to deploy suture hooks or similar clips that connect an annuloplasty implant to heart tissue and secondary surgical devices to the annuloplasty implant. The apparatus is further configured to facilitate orientation adjustment or collapsing of the deployment head and surgical devices attached thereto in order to facilitate their passing through an incision smaller than generally required. After the deployment head passes through the incision its orientation is readjusted so that it may be positioned and the annuloplasty implant automatically sutured to a heart valve annulus by the apparatus suturing sub-assembly using the suture hooks.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring, configured for implantation in the annulus of a heart valve, comprising multiple segments each of which are geometrically shaped from a three dimensional perspective to conform to the anatomic shape of the valve annulus. In one embodiment, the annuloplasty ring is configured to facilitate a reduction of tension on heart valve tissue and eliminate a substantial portion of potential pressure or force that may be applied to the atrioventricular node by the annuloplasty ring when implanted. In another embodiment, at the annuloplasty ring is configured to include an assembly that facilitates selective adjustment of a segment's respective length and/or shape. The adjustment of the length of one of the ring segment's results in an adjustment of at least one angle between at least one set of other ring segments, thereby causing an adjustment to the geometric characteristics of the ring.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for and a method of delivering and implanting a surgical device on an anatomic structure is through minimally invasive procedures. The method is facilitated by an apparatus including a unitary tube (106) operatively connected to a deployment head (118) controlled by an apparatus controller. The deployment head is configured to deploy suture hooks or similar clips that connect an annuloplasty implant to heart tissue and secondary surgical devices to the annuloplasty implant. The apparatus is further configured to facilitate orientation adjustment or collapsing of the deployment head and surgical devices attached thereto in order to facilitate their passing through an incision smaller than generally required. After the deployment head passes through the incision its orientation is readjusted so that it may be positioned and the annuloplasty implant automatically sutured to a heart valve annulus by the apparatus suturing sub-assembly using the suture hooks.