Abstract: An adjustable annuloplasty device is described. The device includes a body member comprising a shape memory material, the body member configured to be placed at or near a base of a valve of a heart. The device further includes a hysteretic material configured to undergo magnetic hysteresis in response to a first activation energy, the hysteretic material being in thermal communication with the shape memory material. The body member may have a first size of a body member dimension in a first configuration and a second size of the body member dimension in a second configuration. When the body member is in position in the heart, a change from the first configuration to the second configuration changes a size of a dimension of the annulus of the valve.

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 intraoperative adjustment device is described. In some embodiments, the device includes an elongate body including a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end configured to penetrate an outer surface of an adjustable cardiac implant implanted in a patient's heart, and the proximal end and the distal end connected by at least one energy-transfer member. In some embodiments, the distal end includes at least one electrode coupled to the energy-transfer member and configured to deliver an activation energy to the adjustable cardiac implant. In some embodiments, the proximal end is configured to attach to an energy source that provides the activation energy. In some embodiments, the proximal end is configured to be located outside the patient's body while the distal end is coupled to the adjustable cardiac implant that is implanted in the patient's heart.

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: 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: Embodiments of a dynamically adjustable artificial chordae tendinae implant are described. In some embodiments the implant includes a body portion, including an adjustable portion. In some embodiments, the implant includes a plurality of adjustable portions. In some embodiments the adjustable element can include a shape memory material. The adjustable portion can be configured to transform from a first conformation to a second conformation in response to an activation energy. In some embodiments, the activation energy can be one of electromagnetic energy, acoustic energy, light energy, thermal energy, electrical energy, mechanical energy, or a combination of energies. The implant couples a heart valve leaflet to a papillary muscle. Activation of the shape memory material regulates tension between the muscle and valve leaflet improving coaptation of heart valve leaflets, and reducing or eliminating regurgitation.

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.

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: An activation device for applying energy to an implanted annuloplasty ring is described. In some embodiments, the activation device includes an outer elongate member having an outer elongate member distal end and an outer elongate member proximal end, and a lumen therebetween. In some embodiments, the activation device further includes an inner elongate member having a inner elongate member distal end and a inner elongate member proximal end, and a lumen therebetween, wherein the inner elongate member is slidably insertable through the lumen of the outer elongate member.

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: 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: Embodiments of a dynamically adjustable artificial chordae tendinae implant are described. In some embodiments the implant includes a body portion, including an adjustable portion. In some embodiments, the implant includes a plurality of adjustable portions. In some embodiments the adjustable element can include a shape memory material. The adjustable portion can be configured to transform from a first conformation to a second conformation in response to an activation energy. In some embodiments, the activation energy can be one of electromagnetic energy, acoustic energy, light energy, thermal energy, electrical energy, mechanical energy, or a combination of energies. The implant couples a heart valve leaflet to a papillary muscle. Activation of the shape memory material regulates tension between the muscle and valve leaflet improving coaptation of heart valve leaflets, and reducing or eliminating regurgitation.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for support of a body structure. The devices can be adjusted within the body of a patient in a minimally invasive or non-invasive manner such as by applying energy percutaneously or external to the patient's body. The energy may include, for example, acoustic energy, radio frequency energy, light energy and magnetic energy. Thus, as the body structure changes size and/or shape, the size and/or shape of the annuloplasty rings can be adjusted to provide continued reinforcement. In certain embodiments, the devices include an anterior portion, a posterior portion and two lateral portions corresponding to intersections of the anterior portion and the posterior portion. The devices have a first shape in a first configuration and a second shape in a second configuration and are configured to transform from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to an activation energy applied thereto.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are provided for improving the hemodynamic efficiency of a patient's heart by implanting one or more reinforcement elements on or with the heart and providing electrical stimulation to the heart. The reinforcement elements may include magnetic and/or shape memory material and are configured to reshape the heart so as to boost the heart's mechanical energy during a response to the electrical stimulation. In some embodiments, at least one reinforcement element includes an electrode configured to sense electrocardiogram signals within the heart. An electrical stimulation device such as an implantable or external pacemaker/defibrillator may be configured to control delivery of electrical pulses to the heart based on the sensed electrocardiogram signals. In addition, or in other embodiments, at least one reinforcement element includes an electrode configured to deliver the electrical pulses to the heart.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are provided for treating heart failure patients suffering from various levels of heart dilation. Such heart dilation is treated by reshaping the heart anatomy with the use of shape memory elements. Such reshaping changes the geometry of portions of the heart, particularly the right or left ventricles, to increase contractibility of the ventricles thereby increasing the stroke volume which in turn increases the cardiac output of the heart. The shape memory elements have an original shape and at least one memory shape. The elements are implanted within the heart tissue or attached externally and/or internally to a surface of the heart when in the original shape. The elements are then activated to transition from the original shape to one of the at least one memory shapes. Transitioning of the elements cause the associated heart tissue areas to readjust position, such as to decrease the width of the ventricles.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for support of a body structure. The devices can be adjusted within the body of a patient in a minimally invasive or non-invasive manner such as by applying energy percutaneously or external to the patient's body. The energy may include, for example, acoustic energy, radio frequency energy, light energy and magnetic energy. Thus, as the body structure changes size and/or shape, the size and/or shape of the annuloplasty rings can be adjusted to provide continued reinforcement. In certain embodiments, the devices include an anterior portion, a posterior portion and two lateral portions corresponding to intersections of the anterior portion and the posterior portion. The devices have a first shape in a first configuration and a second shape in a second configuration and are configured to transform from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to an activation energy applied thereto.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tubular endoluminal vascular prosthesis, useful in treating, for example, an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The prosthesis comprises a self-expandable wire support structure having a tubular main body support and first and second branch supports. The support structure may include one or more sliding links to permit axial movement while maintaining patency of the central lumen. The branch supports may articulate with the main body to permit the branches to pivot laterally from the axis of the main body throughout a substantial range of motion.

Abstract: An intraoperative adjustment device is described. In some embodiments, the device includes an elongate body including a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end configured to penetrate an outer surface of an adjustable cardiac implant implanted in a patient's heart, and the proximal end and the distal end connected by at least one energy-transfer member. In some embodiments, the distal end includes at least one electrode coupled to the energy-transfer member and configured to deliver an activation energy to the adjustable cardiac implant. In some embodiments, the proximal end is configured to attach to an energy source that provides the activation energy. In some embodiments, the proximal end is configured to be located outside the patient's body while the distal end is coupled to the adjustable cardiac implant that is implanted in the patient's heart.

Abstract: An activation device for applying energy to an implanted annuloplasty ring is described. In some embodiments, the activation device includes an outer elongate member having an outer elongate member distal end and an outer elongate member proximal end, and a lumen therebetween. In some embodiments, the activation device further includes an inner elongate member having a inner elongate member distal end and a inner elongate member proximal end, and a lumen therebetween, wherein the inner elongate member is slidably insertable through the lumen of the outer elongate member.