Abstract: A device that can pierce and hold tissue and then pass suture through tissue. The device can have a shuttle that can removably attach to a suture and jaws that can be rotatably opened and closed with respect to each other. The device can have a first jaw having a first jaw channel and a first jaw first stop. The shuttle can have a shuttle longitudinal axis and a shuttle first stop. The shuttle first stop can have a shuttle first stop distal end. The shuttle first stop distal end can be deflectable into the first jaw first stop. When the shuttle first stop distal end is in contact with the first jaw first stop, the shuttle can be passively retained in the first jaw. A method for using the device to repeatedly pass the suture through the tissue without removing the suture or device from the target site.

Abstract: A device can pierce and hold tissue and then pass suture through tissue. The device can have a shuttle that can removably attach to a suture and jaws that can be rotatably opened and closed with respect to each other. A method for using the device to repeatedly pass the suture through the tissue without removing the suture or device from the target site is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device can pierce and hold tissue and then pass suture through tissue. The device can have a shuttle that can removably attach to a suture and jaws that can be rotatably opened and closed with respect to each other. A method for using the device to repeatedly pass the suture through the tissue without removing the suture or device from the target site is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that can pierce and hold tissue and then pass suture through tissue. The device can have a shuttle that can removably attach to a suture and jaws that can be rotatably opened and closed with respect to each other. A method for using the device to repeatedly pass the suture through the tissue without removing the suture or device from the target site is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that can pierce and hold tissue and then pass suture through tissue. The device can have a shuttle that can removably attach to a suture and jaws that can be rotatably opened and closed with respect to each other. A method for using the device to repeatedly pass the suture through the tissue without removing the suture or device from the target site is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device that can pierce and hold tissue and then pass suture through tissue. The device can have a shuttle that can removably attach to a suture and jaws that can be rotatably opened and closed with respect to each other. The device can have a first jaw having a first jaw channel and a first jaw first stop. The shuttle can have a shuttle longitudinal axis and a shuttle first stop. The shuttle first stop can have a shuttle first stop distal end. The shuttle first stop distal end can be deflectable into the first jaw first stop. When the shuttle first stop distal end is in contact with the first jaw first stop, the shuttle can be passively retained in the first jaw. A method for using the device to repeatedly pass the suture through the tissue without removing the suture or device from the target site.

Abstract: A device that can pierce and hold tissue and then pass suture through tissue. The device can have a shuttle that can removably attach to a suture and jaws that can be rotatably opened and closed with respect to each other. The device can have a first jaw having a first jaw channel and a first jaw first stop. The shuttle can have a shuttle longitudinal axis and a shuttle first stop. The shuttle first stop can have a shuttle first stop distal end. The shuttle first stop distal end can be deflectable into the first jaw first stop. When the shuttle first stop distal end is in contact with the first jaw first stop, the shuttle can be passively retained in the first jaw. A method for using the device to repeatedly pass the suture through the tissue without removing the suture or device from the target site.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that can pierce and hold tissue and then pass suture through tissue. The device can have a shuttle that can removably attach to a suture and jaws that can be rotatably opened and closed with respect to each other. A method for using the device to repeatedly pass the suture through the tissue without removing the suture or device from the target site is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that can pierce and hold tissue and then pass suture through tissue. The device can have a shuttle that can removably attach to a suture and jaws that can be rotatably opened and closed with respect to each other. A method for using the device to repeatedly pass the suture through the tissue without removing the suture or device from the target site is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that can pierce and hold tissue and then pass suture through tissue. The device can have a shuttle that can removably attach to a suture and jaws that can be rotatably opened and closed with respect to each other. A method for using the device to repeatedly pass the suture through the tissue without removing the suture or device from the target site is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that can pierce and hold tissue and then pass suture through tissue. The device can have a shuttle that can removably attach to a suture and jaws that can be rotatably opened and closed with respect to each other. A method for using the device to repeatedly pass the suture through the tissue without removing the suture or device from the target site is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for delivering and deploying a self-expandable heart valve to a site of implantation such as the aortic annulus includes a deployment mechanism that engages the valve and regulates the rate of expansion of both the proximal and distal ends thereof. The heart valve may be a rolled-type valve and the deployment mechanism may include a plurality of distal fingers and a plurality of proximal fingers that engage the outer layer of the heart valve. Controlled radial movement of the fingers regulates the unwinding of the rolled heart valve. The deployment mechanism may include an umbrella structure that forces the rolled valve outward into its fully expanded configuration. Alternatively, a gear shaft that engages one or more gear tracks on the valve may be utilized to regulate expansion of the valve.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fastening tissue include a hollow element and an elongate insertion element. The insertion element has a delivery device including a cone, suture, and needle at a delivery end, and an anchor at an opposite end. The hollow element includes an engagement structure in its interior surface that permits movement of the insertion element through the hollow element in a first direction, and prevents movement of the insertion element through the hollow element in a second direction opposite the first direction. The engagement structure may include a braid or mesh that operates on a finger-trap principle. The hollow element may include an elongate element with a cone, suture, and needle at a delivery end, and an anchor at an opposite end. Alternatively, the hollow element may include a button that incorporates the braid or mesh.

Abstract: Methods and systems for delivering and deploying a prosthetic heart valve include a deployment mechanism coupled to the prosthetic heart valve, the deployment mechanism having a longitudinal shaft that when rotated in a first direction, expands the prosthetic heart valve from a contracted state to an expanded state, and optionally, when rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction, re-contracts the prosthetic valve from the expanded state. Embodiments of the deployment mechanism include a pinion gear that engages a gear track on the prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: A medical assembly for replacing a native heart valve of a patient. The medical assembly includes a radially expandable and collapsible prosthetic heart valve having a self-expandable stent body and a plurality of leaflet-forming membranes. The medical assembly also includes a deployment mechanism configured to deploy the prosthetic heart valve within the native heart valve of the patient. The deployment mechanism preferably includes a plurality of proximal deployment members coupled to a proximal end of the stent body. The deployment mechanism may also include a plurality of distal deployment members coupled to a distal end of the stent body. The prosthetic heart valve desirably includes a mechanical locking device configured to lock the prosthetic heart valve in a radially expanded configuration.

Abstract: A method for delivering and implanting a prosthetic heart valve in a native aortic valve includes collapsing a prosthetic heart valve to a contracted configuration while the prosthetic heart valve is coupled to a mechanical deployment mechanism. A catheter shaft is advanced over a guidewire and through a femoral artery with the deployment mechanism and prosthetic heart valve disposed along a distal end portion thereof. The prosthetic heart valve is permitted to self-expand to an initial expanded configuration. The deployment mechanism is actuated from an operating handle to expand the prosthetic heart valve from the initial expanded configuration to a final expanded configuration. The prosthetic heart valve is locked in the final expanded configuration via a mechanical locking device located on the prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: A method for replacing a diseased aortic valve includes selecting a prosthetic heart valve based on a measurement of a patient's aortic annulus, the prosthetic heart valve stored in a storage container while in an expanded configuration. The preservative solution is drained from the storage container and the prosthetic heart valve is removed. The prosthetic heart valve is compressed to a contracted configuration and advanced through a patient's vasculature along a distal end portion of a catheter system. The prosthetic heart valve is positioned within the diseased aortic valve and re-expanded to an initial expanded configuration. A deployment mechanism is actuated via an operating handle to further expand the prosthetic heart valve into secure engagement with surrounding tissue until lockout features on the prosthetic heart valve secure the prosthetic heart valve in a final expanded configuration.

Abstract: A system for delivering and deploying a self-expandable heart valve to a site of implantation such as the aortic annulus includes a deployment mechanism that engages the valve and regulates the rate of expansion of both the proximal and distal ends thereof. The heart valve may be a rolled-type valve and the deployment mechanism may include a plurality of distal fingers and a plurality of proximal fingers that engage the outer layer of the heart valve. Controlled radial movement of the fingers regulates the unwinding of the rolled heart valve. The deployment mechanism may include an umbrella structure that forces the rolled valve outward into its fully expanded configuration. Alternatively, a gear shaft that engages one or more gear tracks on the valve may be utilized to regulate expansion of the valve.

Abstract: A medical assembly for replacing a native heart valve of a patient can include a deployment mechanism and a radially expandable and contractable prosthetic heart valve coupled to the deployment mechanism. The prosthetic heart valve can comprise a self-expandable stent body and a plurality of leaflet-forming membranes. The assembly can further include a storage container, wherein the prosthetic heart valve and the deployment mechanism are disposed in the storage container.

Abstract: A system for delivering and deploying a self-expandable heart valve to a site of implantation such as the aortic annulus includes a deployment mechanism that engages the valve and regulates the rate of expansion of both the proximal and distal ends thereof. The heart valve may be a rolled-type valve and the deployment mechanism may include a plurality of distal fingers and a plurality of proximal fingers that engage the outer layer of the heart valve. Controlled radial movement of the fingers regulates the unwinding of the rolled heart valve. The fingers may be removed prior to inflation of a balloon to fully expand the valve, or the fingers may be repositioned to the inside of the valve for this purpose. The deployment mechanism may include an umbrella structure that forces the rolled valve outward into its fully expanded configuration. Alternatively, a gear shaft that engages one or more gear tracks on the valve may be utilized to regulate expansion of the valve.