Abstract: Disclose herein are embodiments related to a delivery system for performing a minimally invasive procedure, the system including one or more station legs configured to attach to an operating surface and a cross-beam connected to the one or more station legs and running from 0° to 45° relative to a top of the operating surface, wherein a distance between the operating surface and the cross-beam is adjustable. Additionally, an embodiment may have a first arm connected to the cross-beam, a second arm connected to the first arm, and an axial member connected to the second arm, the axial member comprising an axial joint. The delivery system may then be configured to advance to an internal target site using the axial joint while maintaining a stationary trajectory in relation to the internal target site with the delivery system trajectory is modifiable at the target site.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for repairing heart valves through percutaneous transcatheter delivery and fixation of annuloplasty rings to heart valves via a trans-apical approach to accessing the heart. A guiding sheath may be introduced into a ventricle of the heart through an access site at an apex of the heart. A distal end of the guiding sheath can be positioned retrograde through the target valve. An annuloplasty ring arranged in a compressed delivery geometry is advanced through the guiding sheath and into a distal portion of the guiding sheath positioned within the atrium of the heart. The distal end of the guiding sheath is retracted, thereby exposing the annuloplasty ring. The annuloplasty ring may be expanded from the delivery geometry to an operable geometry. Anchors on the annuloplasty ring may be deployed to press into and engage tissue of the annulus of the target valve.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a delivery system for percutaneous heart valve repair, the delivery system including a steerable sheath configured to provide percutaneous access into a heart and to deliver an implant. The system may also have a steering mechanism configured to manipulate and orient the implant, a ball joint mechanism configured to connect the steerable sheath to the steering mechanism, a main knob assembly configured to advance and retract a multilumen shaft assembly, a stabilizing tool including a plurality of prongs configured to engage the implant within the heart to make an intimate contact with the heart tissue using a stabilizer and a tongue assembly, and a back assembly including: the actuation mechanism, a suture routing mechanism, a tip lock mechanism, and a back cover configured to protect all sutures being cut by mistake.

Abstract: Disclose herein are embodiments related to a delivery system for performing a minimally invasive procedure, the system including one or more station legs configured to attach to an operating surface and a cross-beam connected to the one or more station legs and running from 0° to 45° relative to a top of the operating surface, wherein a distance between the operating surface and the cross-beam is adjustable. Additionally, an embodiment may have a first arm connected to the cross-beam, a second arm connected to the first arm, and an axial member connected to the second arm, the axial member comprising an axial joint. The delivery system may then be configured to advance to an internal target site using the axial joint while maintaining a stationary trajectory in relation to the internal target site with the delivery system trajectory is modifiable at the target site.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for repairing heart valves through percutaneous transcatheter delivery and fixation of annuloplasty rings to heart valves via a trans-apical approach to accessing the heart. A guiding sheath may be introduced into a ventricle of the heart through an access site at an apex of the heart. A distal end of the guiding sheath can be positioned retrograde through the target valve. An annuloplasty ring arranged in a compressed delivery geometry is advanced through the guiding sheath and into a distal portion of the guiding sheath positioned within the atrium of the heart. The distal end of the guiding sheath is retracted, thereby exposing the annuloplasty ring. The annuloplasty ring may be expanded from the delivery geometry to an operable geometry. Anchors on the annuloplasty ring may be deployed to press into and engage tissue of the annulus of the target valve.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for percutaneous transcatheter delivery and fixation of annuloplasty rings to heart valves. An annuloplasty ring includes an outer tube, an inner body member, and an anchor deployment system. The outer tube includes a plurality of windows and has an axis along its length. The internal body member includes a plurality of anchors formed perpendicular to the axis. The anchor deployment system selectively rotates the internal body member with respect to the axis of the outer tube. The rotation deploys the plurality of anchors through the plurality of windows.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a delivery system for percutaneous heart valve repair, the delivery system including a steerable sheath configured to provide percutaneous access into a heart and to deliver an implant. The system may also have a steering mechanism configured to manipulate and orient the implant, a ball joint mechanism configured to connect the steerable sheath to the steering mechanism, a main knob assembly configured to advance and retract a multilumen shaft assembly, a stabilizing tool including a plurality of prongs configured to engage the implant within the heart to make an intimate contact with the heart tissue using a stabilizer and a tongue assembly, and a back assembly including: the actuation mechanism, a suture routing mechanism, a tip lock mechanism, and a back cover configured to protect all sutures being cut by mistake.

Abstract: Disclosed is an expandable percutaneous sheath, for introduction into the body while in a first, low cross-sectional area configuration, and subsequent expansion to a second, enlarged cross-sectional configuration. The sheath is maintained in the first, low cross-sectional configuration by a tubular restraint. In one application, the sheath is utilized to provide access for a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure such as percutaneous nephrostomy or urinary bladder access.

Abstract: Systems and methods for percutaneous, transcatheter heart valve repair are disclosed. A system may include a catheter, an adjustable ring, and a stabilizer. The adjustable ring may include a body member that is transitionable from an insertion geometry to an operable geometry. The insertion geometry may be configured to allow percutaneous passage of the ring into the heart. The operable geometry may have an expanded state to conform to an annulus of a target valve and a contracted state to reduce a diameter of the annulus. The adjustable ring may also include a plurality of anchors deployable in the operable geometry to engage the annulus. The stabilizer may include a plurality of prongs configured to engage the ring in the operable geometry within the heart to enable percutaneous manipulation of the ring to orient and position the ring in intimate contact with the annulus.

Abstract: Prosthetic ring valve assemblies are disclosed. A prosthetic valve ring assembly includes an outer tube and a plurality of anchors. The outer tube includes a plurality of windows. The plurality of anchors are positioned inside the outer tube and about a perimeter of the outer tube. The plurality of anchors are configured to be emitted from the plurality of windows in order to anchor the prosthetic valve ring assembly to annulus tissue of a patient.

Abstract: A device for securing an article to a tissue may include a body, transitionable from a deployment state to a securing state, having a first portion, a second portion, and a medial portion therebetween. The first portion and the second portion may each have an end configured to pierce the tissue. The device in the deployment state may have a linearly extended or a U-shaped structure. In the securing state, the first portion may be embedded in the tissue and the medial portion may contact the article. A system for securing the article to the tissue may releasably engage the device while in the deployment state. A method for securing the article may include contacting the article with a tissue surface and releasing the device from the system so that the device, in the securing state, may anchor the article to the tissue.

Abstract: A device for securing an article to a tissue may include a body, transitionable from a deployment state to a securing state, having a first portion, a second portion, and a medial portion therebetween. The first portion and the second portion may each have an end configured to pierce the tissue. The device in the deployment state may have a linearly extended or a U-shaped structure. In the securing state, the first portion may be embedded in the tissue and the medial portion may contact the article. A system for securing the article to the tissue may releasably engage the device while in the deployment state. A method for securing the article may include contacting the article with a tissue surface and releasing the device from the system so that the device, in the securing state, may anchor the article to the tissue.

Abstract: An implantable valve replacement system for a cardiovascular valve may include an adjustable stabilizing ring. The stabilizing ring may be composed of a body member that is transitionable from an elongate insertion geometry to an annular operable geometry. The stabilizing ring may further include a plurality of anchors deployable in the annular operable geometry to engage the annulus of the cardiovascular valve. The ring may be used in conjunction with an implantable valve frame. The valve frame may be located within the ring and the ring, in turn, may be stabilized through the anchors engaging the valve annulus. The valve replacement system may be applied by engaging the ring in its annular operable geometry with the valve annulus through the anchors. The valve frame may be inserted through the opening of the ring, thereby forming a stabilizing mechanical contact between the frame and the annulus.

Abstract: An implantable valve replacement system for a cardiovascular valve may include an adjustable stabilizing ring. The stabilizing ring may be composed of a body member that is transitionable from an elongate insertion geometry to an annular operable geometry. The stabilizing ring may further include a plurality of anchors deployable in the annular operable geometry to engage the annulus of the cardiovascular valve. The ring may be used in conjunction with an implantable valve frame. The valve frame may be located within the ring and the ring, in turn, may be stabilized through the anchors engaging the valve annulus. The valve replacement system may be applied by engaging the ring in its annular operable geometry with the valve annulus through the anchors. The valve frame may be inserted through the opening of the ring, thereby forming a stabilizing mechanical contact between the frame and the annulus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for percutaneous, transcatheter heart valve repair are disclosed. A system may include a catheter, an adjustable ring, and a stabilizer. The adjustable ring may include a body member that is transitionable from an insertion geometry to an operable geometry. The insertion geometry may be configured to allow percutaneous passage of the ring into the heart. The operable geometry may have an expanded state to conform to an annulus of a target valve and a contracted state to reduce a diameter of the annulus. The adjustable ring may also include a plurality of anchors deployable in the operable geometry to engage the annulus. The stabilizer may include a plurality of prongs configured to engage the ring in the operable geometry within the heart to enable percutaneous manipulation of the ring to orient and position the ring in intimate contact with the annulus.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for repairing heart valves through percutaneous transcatheter delivery and fixation of annuloplasty rings to heart valves. An annuloplasty ring includes an outer hollow body member including a plurality of regions. Adjacent regions cooperate with one another to change the body member from an elongate insertion geometry to an annular operable geometry. Adjacent regions are coupled by a biasing element or a stepped connector to allow expansion to an expanded state and contraction to a contracted state in the annular operable geometry. The annuloplasty ring also includes an internal anchor member located at least partially within the body member and having a plurality of anchors configured to attach the annuloplasty ring to tissue of a heart valve annulus. An angled ring closure lock allows coupling of the ends of an annuloplasty ring at an apex of a D-shape annular operable geometry.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for percutaneous transcatheter delivery and fixation of annuloplasty rings to heart valves. An annuloplasty ring includes an outer tube, an inner body member, and an anchor deployment system. The outer tube includes a plurality of windows and has an axis along its length. The internal body member includes a plurality of anchors formed perpendicular to the axis. The anchor deployment system selectively rotates the internal body member with respect to the axis of the outer tube. The rotation deploys the plurality of anchors through the plurality of windows.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a delivery system for percutaneous heart valve repair, the delivery system including a steerable sheath configured to provide percutaneous access into a heart and to deliver an implant. The system may also have a steering mechanism configured to manipulate and orient the implant, a ball joint mechanism configured to connect the steerable sheath to the steering mechanism, a main knob assembly configured to advance and retract a multilumen shaft assembly, a stabilizing tool including a plurality of prongs configured to engage the implant within the heart to make an intimate contact with the heart tissue using a stabilizer and a tongue assembly, and a back assembly including: the actuation mechanism, a suture routing mechanism, a tip lock mechanism, and a back cover configured to protect all sutures being cut by mistake.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments directed to a device for minimally invasive medical treatment. The device being a hollow tube with a first end, a second end, and one or more anchors configured to extend outward from the exterior of the hollow tube. The hollow tube having a plurality of cutouts on the exterior, wherein the cutouts allow the hollow tube to be flexible. Additionally, the hollow tube may have at least one snap mechanism configured to connect the first end and the second end together.

Abstract: Disclose herein are embodiments related to a delivery system for performing a minimally invasive procedure, the system including one or more station legs configured to attach to an operating surface and a cross-beam connected to the one or more station legs and running from 0° to 45° relative to a top of the operating surface, wherein a distance between the operating surface and the cross-beam is adjustable. Additionally, an embodiment may have a first arm connected to the cross-beam, a second arm connected to the first arm, and an axial member connected to the second arm, the axial member comprising an axial joint. The delivery system may then be configured to advance to an internal target site using the axial joint while maintaining a stationary trajectory in relation to the internal target site with the delivery system trajectory is modifiable at the target site.