Abstract: The invention relates to an A2 clip for a side-delivered prosthetic mitral valve where the A2 clip is extended using a guide wire to capture native mitral leaflet and/or chordae tissue and withdrawing the guide wire contracts the A2 clip and pins the native tissue against the subannular sidewall of the prosthetic valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to an A2 clip for a side-delivered prosthetic mitral valve where the A2 clip is extended using a guide wire to capture native mitral leaflet and/or chordae tissue and withdrawing the guide wire contracts the A2 clip and pins the native tissue against the subannular sidewall of the prosthetic valve.

Abstract: A tissue puncture closure assembly including a wire assembly and first and second devices. The wire assembly includes a first wire member and a second wire member that each include a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. At least portions of the second wire member are arranged side-by-side with the first wire member. The distal end portion of the first wire member is connected to the distal end portion of the second wire member, and a proximal end portion of the first wire member is disconnected from the proximal end portion of the second wire member. The first device is operable to advance over the first wire member. The second device is operable to advance over the second wire member.

Abstract: An electro-anatomical model of the mammalian His/Purkinje system includes a shell simulating the anatomy of at least a portion of a mammalian heart. The shell has a hollow interior and a first port providing an aperture to the interior of the shell. A plug is inserted in the first port so that a surface of the plug is exposed to the interior of the shell. An electrical circuit provides signals to electrodes in the plug which simulate the electrical signals generated by the bundle of His/Purkinje system in vivo. A second port provides access to the interior of the shell for an introducer catheter to locate the simulated bundle of His and to insert a pacing lead therein. The model is useful for developing tools for His pacing and for training users in techniques for implanting His pacing leads.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems for wireless energy transfer including transcutaneous energy transfer. Embodiments are disclosed for electrical connections between an implanted wireless receiver and an implanted medical device powered by the receiver. Methods for manufacturing and using the devices and system are also disclosed.

Abstract: An RFID apparatus is disclosed generally comprising an RFID reader antenna attached to a microprocessor, the RFID reader antenna adapted to receive a first digital signal from a first RFID sensor and a second digital signal from a second RFID sensor. The RFID apparatus further possesses a converter that converts the first digital signal to a first analog output, such as electrical current, and the second digital signal to a second analog output. The apparatus can further possess a first electrical wire adapted carry the first analog output to a control system when the first electrical wire is connected to the control system. Also the apparatus can possess a second electrical wire adapted to carry the second analog output to the control system when the second electrical wire is connected to the control system. The control system is external to RFID apparatus and independent of the RFID apparatus.

Abstract: An RFID apparatus is disclosed generally comprising an RFID reader antenna attached to a microprocessor, the RFID reader antenna adapted to receive a first digital signal from a first RFID sensor and a second digital signal from a second RFID sensor. The RFID apparatus further possesses a converter that converts the first digital signal to a first analog output, such as electrical current, and the second digital signal to a second analog output. The apparatus can further possess a first electrical wire adapted carry the first analog output to a control system when the first electrical wire is connected to the control system. Also the apparatus can possess a second electrical wire adapted to carry the second analog output to the control system when the second electrical wire is connected to the control system. The control system is external to RFID apparatus and independent of the RFID apparatus.

Abstract: A bone anchor (100) for attaching a rod (108) to a bone has an anchor member (106) for attachment to the bone and an anchor head (104) having a U-shaped opening for receiving the rod. The bone anchor also includes a locking cap (102) that has a main body (900) and a set screw (1000). Advantageously, in one embodiment the locking cap preferably is designed such that a single tool can be used to lock the locking cap in place on the anchor body preferably with a 90° turn and preferably then drive the set screw to clamp the rod. The locking cap also preferably non-threadingly engages the anchor body. The anchor body preferably has an inclined surface on its top surface which elastically deflects extending tabs on the main body to secure the locking cap to the anchor body. A method of implantation and assembly of the bone anchor are also described.

Abstract: The application provides methods for determining a patient's risk for developing fibrosis or a fibrosis-related disorder. Concentrations of C reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid protein (SAP) are measured from a biological sample to determine the SAP-to-CRP ratio. This ratio can then be compared with one or more SAP-to-CRP reference ratios to determine a patient's risk for developing a fibrosis related disorder. The diagnostic methods can also be used to determine the severity of fibrosis in a patient afflicted with such a disease. Furthermore, methods for treating patients having a fibrosis-related disorder are provided. For example, a patient that has a lower SAP-to-CRP ratio than one or more reference values may be treated with an SAP agonist and/or CRP antagonist to treat or prevent a fibrosis disorder. The methods may further comprise determining the R131/H131 polymorphism of Fc?RIIA as a risk factor for developing fibrosis or a fibrosis-related disorder.

Abstract: A tissue puncture locator device includes an anchor assembly and a sealing member. The anchor assembly includes an anchor portion, a tube portion, and a filling member. The anchor portion is positioned at a distal end of the tube portion and configured for placement through a vascular incision into a vessel. The anchor member has an unexpanded configuration that permits passage through the vascular incision and an expanded configuration that limits passage through the vascular incision. The filling member is retained in the tube portion and adapted for insertion from the tube portion into the anchor member to provide the expanded configuration, and adapted for retraction from the anchor member into the tube portion to provide the unexpanded configuration. The sealing member is configured for placement adjacent the vascular incision outside the vessel.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems for wireless energy transfer including transcutaneous energy transfer. Embodiments are disclosed for electrical connections between an implanted wireless receiver and an implanted medical device powered by the receiver. Methods for manufacturing and using the devices and system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tissue puncture locator device includes a temporary anchor configured for placement through a vascular puncture into a vessel. The temporary anchor includes a column member that defines a lumen. The temporary anchor is movable between an uncompressed position and a compressed position, wherein in the compressed poition a portion of the column member protrudes radially outward. The column member may include a reduced thickness portion, wherein the column member protrudes radially outward at the reduced thickness portion. The column member, when expanded radially outward within the vessel, is sized to limit retraction of the temporary anchor through the vascular puncture.

Abstract: A tissue puncture locator device includes an anchor assembly and a sealing member. The anchor assembly includes an anchor portion, a tube portion, and a filling member. The anchor portion is positioned at a distal end of the tube portion and configured for placement through a vascular incision into a vessel. The anchor member has an unexpanded configuration that permits passage through the vascular incision and an expanded configuration that limits passage through the vascular incision. The filling member is retained in the tube portion and adapted for insertion from the tube portion into the anchor member to provide the expanded configuration, and adapted for retraction from the anchor member into the tube portion to provide the unexpanded configuration. The sealing member is configured for placement adjacent the vascular incision outside the vessel.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems for wireless energy transfer including transcutaneous energy transfer. Embodiments are disclosed for electrical connections between an implanted wireless receiver and an implanted medical device powered by the receiver. Methods for manufacturing and using the devices and system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tissue puncture closure assembly including a wire assembly and a sealing pad delivery device, The wire assembly includes a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a temporary expandable anchor positioned at the distal end portion. The sealing pad delivery device includes a carrier tube, a sealing pad positioned in the carrier tube, and a lateral wire slot. The lateral wire slot is defined in an outer surface of the sealing pad delivery device and extends along at least a portion of a length of the sealing pad delivery device. The lateral wire slot is configured to permit mounting of the sealing pad delivery device to the wire assembly in a lateral direction.

Abstract: A bone anchor (100) for attaching a rod (108) to a bone has an anchor member (106) for attachment to the bone and an anchor head (104) having a U-shaped opening for receiving the rod. The bone anchor also includes a locking cap (102) that has a main body (900) and a set screw (1000). Advantageously, in one embodiment the locking cap preferably is designed such that a single tool can be used to lock the locking cap in place on the anchor body preferably with a 90° turn and preferably then drive the set screw to clamp the rod. The locking cap also preferably non-threadingly engages the anchor body. The anchor body preferably has an inclined surface on its top surface which elastically deflects extending tabs on the main body to secure the locking cap to the anchor body. A method of implantation and assembly of the bone anchor are also described.

Abstract: A tissue puncture closure assembly including a wire assembly and first and second devices. The wire assembly includes a first wire member and a second wire member that each include a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. At least portions of the second wire member are arranged side-by-side with the first wire member. The distal end portion of the first wire member is connected to the distal end portion of the second wire member, and a proximal end portion of the first wire member is disconnected from the proximal end portion of the second wire member. The first device is operable to advance over the first wire member. The second device is operable to advance over the second wire member.

Abstract: A bone anchor (100) for attaching a rod (108) to a bone has an anchor member (106) for attachment to the bone and an anchor head (104) having a U-shaped opening for receiving the rod. The bone anchor also includes a locking cap (102) that has a main body (900) and a set screw (1000). Advantageously, in one embodiment the locking cap preferably is designed such that a single tool can be used to lock the locking cap in place on the anchor body preferably with a 90° turn and preferably then drive the set screw to clamp the rod. The locking cap also preferably non-threadingly engages the anchor body. The anchor body preferably has an inclined surface on its top surface which elastically deflects extending tabs on the main body to secure the locking cap to the anchor body. A method of implantation and assembly of the bone anchor are also described.

Abstract: A tissue puncture closure assembly including a wire assembly and first and second devices. The wire assembly includes a first wire member and a second wire member that each include a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. At least portions of the second wire member are arranged side-by-side with the first wire member. The distal end portion of the first wire member is connected to the distal end portion of the second wire member, and a proximal end portion of the first wire member is disconnected from the proximal end portion of the second wire member. The first device is operable to advance over the first wire member. The second device is operable to advance over the second wire member.

Abstract: A tissue puncture closure assembly including a wire assembly and a sealing pad delivery device. The wire assembly includes a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a temporary expandable anchor positioned at the distal end portion. The sealing pad delivery device includes a carrier tube, a sealing pad positioned in the carrier tube, and a lateral wire slot. The lateral wire slot is defined in an outer surface of the sealing pad delivery device and extends along at least a portion of a length of the sealing pad delivery device. The lateral wire slot is configured to permit mounting of the sealing pad delivery device to the wire assembly in a lateral direction.