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: Disclosed herein are embodiments related to a method for performing a minimally invasive procedure, the method including delivering an annuloplasty ring in a linear shape using a delivery system. In some embodiments, the delivery of the annuloplasty ring may utilize a trans-septal approach or a trans-apical. In some embodiments, the delivery system may position the annuloplasty ring using a flexible stabilizing mechanism and/or activate one or more anchors to extend outward from the annuloplasty ring.

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: Disclosed herein are embodiments related to a method for performing a minimally invasive procedure, the method including delivering an annuloplasty ring in a linear shape using a delivery system. In some embodiments, the delivery of the annuloplasty ring may utilize a trans-septal approach or a trans-apical. In some embodiments, the delivery system may position the annuloplasty ring using a flexible stabilizing mechanism and/or activate one or more anchors to extend outward from the annuloplasty ring.

Abstract: A system and method of repairing a native chordae of a patient using an artificial chordae. The artificial chordae is inserted into the patient in a non-deployed configuration using a delivery system and is delivered to a desired position within the patient. An operator causes the artificial chordae to transition from the non-deployed configuration to a deployed configuration. The artificial chordae is anchored to a myocardium of the patient. The artificial chordae is attached to a leaflet of the native chordae at an attachment location and tuned to a desired tension.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring is disclosed. The annuloplasty ring includes an outer tube, a plurality of anchors, and at least one synthetic leaflet. The synthetic leaflets are in mechanical communication with the annuloplasty ring at a plurality of points. 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 annuloplasty ring to a heart valve of a patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods treat a heart valve using a magnetically adjustable annuloplasty ring attached to or near a cardiac valve annulus. A changing magnetic field may be used to selectively increase or decrease a circumference of, or otherwise modify the shape of, the implanted annuloplasty ring. The adjustable annuloplasty ring includes a tubular body member, one or more adjustable members, and an internal magnet within the tubular body member. The tubular body member and the one or more adjustable members form a ring shape. The internal magnet is configured to rotate in response to a rotating external magnetic field. The internal magnet is coupled to the one or more adjustable members to change a dimension of the ring shape as the internal magnet rotates. A system for treating a heart valve may include an external adjustment device having one or more external magnets to generate the rotating external magnetic field.

Abstract: Systems and methods treat a heart valve using a magnetically adjustable annuloplasty ring attached to or near a cardiac valve annulus. A changing magnetic field may be used to selectively increase or decrease a circumference of, or otherwise modify the shape of, the implanted annuloplasty ring. The adjustable annuloplasty ring includes a tubular body member, one or more adjustable members, and an internal magnet within the tubular body member. The tubular body member and the one or more adjustable members form a ring shape. The internal magnet is configured to rotate in response to a rotating external magnetic field. The internal magnet is coupled to the one or more adjustable members to change a dimension of the ring shape as the internal magnet rotates. A system for treating a heart valve may include an external adjustment device having one or more external magnets to generate the rotating external magnetic field.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to in vivo collection of circulating molecules, tumor cells and other biological markers using a collecting probe. The probe is configured for placement within a living organism for an extended period of time to provide sufficient yield of biological marker for analysis.

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: Disclosed herein are embodiments related to a method for performing a minimally invasive procedure, the method including delivering an annuloplasty ring in a linear shape using a delivery system. In some embodiments, the delivery of the annuloplasty ring may utilize a trans-septal approach or a trans-apical. In some embodiments, the delivery system may position the annuloplasty ring using a flexible stabilizing mechanism and/or activate one or more anchors to extend outward from the annuloplasty ring.

Abstract: Systems and methods treat a heart valve using a magnetically adjustable annuloplasty ring attached to or near a cardiac valve annulus. A changing magnetic field may be used to selectively increase or decrease a circumference of, or otherwise modify the shape of, the implanted annuloplasty ring. The adjustable annuloplasty ring includes a tubular body member, one or more adjustable members, and an internal magnet within the tubular body member. The tubular body member and the one or more adjustable members form a ring shape. The internal magnet is configured to rotate in response to a rotating external magnetic field. The internal magnet is coupled to the one or more adjustable members to change a dimension of the ring shape as the internal magnet rotates. A system for treating a heart valve may include an external adjustment device having one or more external magnets to generate the rotating external magnetic field.

Abstract: Systems and methods treat a heart valve using a magnetically adjustable annuloplasty ring attached to or near a cardiac valve annulus. A changing magnetic field may be used to selectively increase or decrease a circumference of, or otherwise modify the shape of, the implanted annuloplasty ring. The adjustable annuloplasty ring includes a tubular body member, one or more adjustable members, and an internal magnet within the tubular body member. The tubular body member and the one or more adjustable members form a ring shape. The internal magnet is configured to rotate in response to a rotating external magnetic field. The internal magnet is coupled to the one or more adjustable members to change a dimension of the ring shape as the internal magnet rotates. A system for treating a heart valve may include an external adjustment device having one or more external magnets to generate the rotating external magnetic field.

Abstract: Systems and methods treat a heart valve using a magnetically adjustable annuloplasty ring attached to or near a cardiac valve annulus. A changing magnetic field may be used to selectively increase or decrease a circumference of, or otherwise modify the shape of, the implanted annuloplasty ring. The adjustable annuloplasty ring includes a tubular body member, one or more adjustable members, and an internal magnet within the tubular body member. The tubular body member and the one or more adjustable members form a ring shape. The internal magnet is configured to rotate in response to a rotating external magnetic field. The internal magnet is coupled to the one or more adjustable members to change a dimension of the ring shape as the internal magnet rotates. A system for treating a heart valve may include an external adjustment device having one or more external magnets to generate the rotating external magnetic field.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to in vivo collection of circulating molecules, tumor cells and other biological markers using a collecting probe. The probe is configured for placement within a living organism for an extended period of time to provide sufficient yield of biological marker for analysis.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to in vivo collection of circulating molecules, tumor cells and other biological markers using a collecting probe. The probe is configured for placement within a living organism for an extended period of time to provide sufficient yield of biological marker for analysis.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to in vivo collection of circulating molecules, tumor cells and other biological markers using a collecting probe. The probe is configured for placement within a living organism for an extended period of time to provide sufficient yield of biological marker for analysis. In some embodiments of the invention, active attraction of biological markers are provided. A partial or complete analytic/detection assembly may also be integrated with the probe.

Abstract: A prosthetic implant for treating a diseased aortic valve is described. The prosthetic implant includes a substantially tubular body configured to be positioned in an aorta of a patient, at or near the patient's aortic valve. The body includes a lumen extending through the body; and an adjustable frame surrounding the lumen. The prosthetic implant further includes at least one adjustable element located in or on the body and extending at least partially around a circumference of the lumen. The at least one adjustable element is transformable, in response to application of an activation energy, from a first configuration to a second configuration. The at least one adjustable element may engage at least one of a root of the aorta, an annulus of the aortic valve, and the patient's left ventricle, when the at least one adjustable element is in the second configuration.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to in vivo collection of circulating molecules, tumor cells and other biological markers using a collecting probe. The probe is configured for placement within a living organism for an extended period of time to provide sufficient yield of biological marker for analysis. In some embodiments of the invention, active attraction of biological markers are provided. A partial or complete analytic/detection assembly may also be integrated with the probe.

Abstract: A prosthetic implant for treating a diseased aortic valve is described. The prosthetic implant includes a substantially tubular body configured to be positioned in an aorta of a patient, at or near the patient's aortic valve. The body includes a lumen extending through the body from a proximal end to a distal end of the body; and an adjustable frame surrounding the lumen. The prosthetic implant further includes at least one adjustable element located in or on the body and extending at least partially around a circumference of the lumen. The at least one adjustable element includes a shape memory material and is transformable, in response to application of an activation energy, from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein the first configuration and second configuration differ in a size of at least one dimension of the at least one adjustable element.