Abstract: Among other things, there is disclosed structure and methods for maintaining access to a location in the body while reducing or eliminating the potential for pulling an access device (e.g. a catheter) back through an opening. An introducer sheath includes a distal indented portion and a balloon, so that once placed in a desired location through tissue, the balloon can be inflated to anchor the sheath against retraction. In particular embodiments, structure and methods for accessing the pericardial cavity via the right atrial appendage are shown.

Abstract: Among other things, there are disclosed embodiments of belts or bands that can be used in treatments for tricuspid valve regurgitation. In some embodiments, such belts may be heat-set in a particular configuration to effectively decrease tricuspid annulus when deployed around the atrioventricular groove. Embodiments include one or more tensioning sutures for applying cinching or tightening to belts when deployed, and structure for effectively distributing force during such tightening. Embodiments of tensioning members, protective members, and devices and methods for open-surgical placement (e.g. around a heart for annuloplasty) are also disclosed.

Abstract: Among other things, there is disclosed structure and methods for maintaining access to a location in the body while reducing or eliminating the potential for pulling an access device (e.g. a catheter) back through an opening. An introducer sheath includes a distal indented portion and a balloon, so that once placed in a desired location through tissue, the balloon can be inflated to anchor the sheath against retraction. In particular embodiments, structure and methods for accessing the pericardial cavity via the right atrial appendage are shown.

Abstract: There are shown and described embodiments of a closure device for closing holes in tissue, for example in the right atrial appendage. The closure device in particular embodiments includes first and second mesh closure members and a tether or stem connecting them. Embodiments of a delivery device for the closure device are also described.

Abstract: An example catheter has an elongate member defining an elongate member proximal end, an elongate member distal end, an outer surface, and a main body, the outer surface defining a side opening at a position between the elongate member proximal end and the elongate member distal end, the main body defining a first lumen and a second lumen, the second lumen extending from the elongate member proximal end to the side opening; a balloon disposed on the elongate member between the side opening and the elongate member distal end; and an engagement member disposed in the second lumen, the engagement member defining an engagement member proximal end and an engagement member distal end, the engagement member proximal end extending axially beyond the elongate member proximal end, the engagement member distal end having an engagement portion and extending radially beyond the side opening in a first direction.

Abstract: Medical devices for repairing defects in tissue, such as perforations in the tympanic membrane of an animal, methods of manufacturing medical devices, methods of implanting a medical device in a defect in a tissue; and methods of repairing a defect in a tissue are described. In one form, a medical device includes an overlay member having multiple arms and defining an overlay member passageway, an underlay member having multiple flaps and defining an underlay member passageway, and a securement member extending through the overlay member passageway and the underlay member passageway. In methods, the multiple flaps of the underlay member can be sequentially advanced into a defect in a tissue, such as a perforation in a tympanic membrane of an animal.

Abstract: There are shown and described embodiments of a closure device for closing holes in tissue, for example in the right atrial appendage. The closure device in particular embodiments includes first and second mesh closure members and a tether or stem connecting them. Embodiments of a delivery device for the closure device are also described.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods suitable for delivering an agent including a plurality of particles to a target site. In example embodiments, a system suitable for delivering an agent to a target site includes a catheter having a first wall defining a lumen sized for delivery of the agent to the target site. The catheter has a distal end terminating with a primary opening of the lumen, an opposing proximal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end. At least one secondary opening is formed at the distal end, wherein the secondary opening is configured to allow fluid to flow through the secondary opening to create a steady flow of fluid at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis and prevent the plurality of particles from flowing through the secondary opening.

Abstract: Among other things, there are shown embodiments of locking mechanisms for holding sutures in tension. Such devices may be used with implants that use or require sutures, and are easily locked remotely. In particular embodiments, a lock includes a housing member, a pin member at least partially within the housing member, and a spring biasing the pin member into the housing member. The pin member includes a gripping portion, and has a retracted condition and a locked condition. When retracted, a suture can move through the housing member and around the gripping portion of the pin member. When locked, the gripping portion of the pin member engages the suture and presses it against the interior of the housing member.

Abstract: Among other things, there are disclosed embodiments of belts or bands that can be used in treatments for tricuspid valve regurgitation. In some embodiments, such belts may be heat-set in a particular configuration to effectively decrease tricuspid annulus when deployed around the atrioventricular groove. Embodiments include one or more tensioning sutures for applying cinching or tightening to belts when deployed, and structure for effectively distributing force during such tightening.

Abstract: Among other things, there is disclosed structure and methods for maintaining access to a location in the body while reducing or eliminating the potential for pulling an access device (e.g. a catheter) back through an opening. An introducer sheath includes a distal indented portion and a balloon, so that once placed in a desired location through tissue, the balloon can be inflated to anchor the sheath against retraction. In particular embodiments, structure and methods for accessing the pericardial cavity via the right atrial appendage are shown.

Abstract: Among other things, there are disclosed embodiments of belts or bands that can be used in treatments for tricuspid valve regurgitation. In some embodiments, such belts may be heat-set in a particular configuration to effectively decrease tricuspid annulus when deployed around the atrioventricular groove. Embodiments include one or more tensioning sutures for applying cinching or tightening to belts when deployed, and structure for effectively distributing force during such tightening.

Abstract: Among other things, there is disclosed structure and methods for maintaining access to a location in the body while reducing or eliminating the potential for pulling an access device (e.g. a catheter) back through an opening. An introducer sheath includes a distal indented portion and a balloon, so that once placed in a desired location through tissue, the balloon can be inflated to anchor the sheath against retraction. In particular embodiments, structure and methods for accessing the pericardial cavity via the right atrial appendage are shown.

Abstract: Among other things, there are disclosed embodiments of belts or bands that can be used in treatments for tricuspid valve regurgitation. In some embodiments, such belts may be heat-set in a particular configuration to effectively decrease tricuspid annulus when deployed around the atrioventricular groove. Embodiments include one or more tensioning sutures for applying cinching or tightening to belts when deployed, and structure for effectively distributing force during such tightening. Embodiments of tensioning members, protective members, and devices and methods for open-surgical placement (e.g. around a heart for annuloplasty) are also disclosed.

Abstract: There are shown and described embodiments of a closure device for closing holes in tissue, for example in the right atrial appendage. The closure device in particular embodiments includes first and second mesh closure members and a tether or stem connecting them. Embodiments of a delivery device for the closure device are also described.

Abstract: There are shown and described embodiments of a closure device for closing holes in tissue, for example in the right atrial appendage. The closure device in particular embodiments includes first and second mesh closure members and a tether or stem connecting them. Embodiments of a delivery device for the closure device are also described.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods suitable for delivering an agent including a plurality of particles to a target site. In example embodiments, a system suitable for delivering an agent to a target site includes a catheter having a first wall defining a lumen sized for delivery of the agent to the target site. The catheter has a distal end terminating with a primary opening of the lumen, an opposing proximal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal end and the proximal end. At least one secondary opening is formed at the distal end, wherein the secondary opening is configured to allow fluid to flow through the secondary opening to create a steady flow of fluid at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis and prevent the plurality of particles from flowing through the secondary opening.

Abstract: A magnet guided crossing system includes a first magnet that defines a first guide passage and a second magnet that defines a second guide passage, which are positioned in respective body structures. A crossing guide includes a catheter, a direction change piece and a magnetic latch in series that together define a third guide passage that extends from a proximal end of the catheter through a latching side of the magnetic latch. The poles of the first and second magnets and the magnetic latch are oriented so that the first and second magnets and the magnetic latch have a stable magnetically latched stack configuration. A puncture wire is slidably received in the catheter.

Abstract: Among other things, there is disclosed structure and methods for maintaining access to a location in the body while reducing or eliminating the potential for pulling an access device (e.g. a catheter) back through an opening. An introducer sheath includes a distal indented portion and a balloon, so that once placed in a desired location through tissue, the balloon can be inflated to anchor the sheath against retraction. In particular embodiments, structure and methods for accessing the pericardial cavity via the right atrial appendage are shown.

Abstract: Among other things, there are shown embodiments of locking mechanisms for holding sutures in tension. Such devices may be used with implants that use or require sutures, and are easily locked remotely. In particular embodiments, a lock includes a housing member, a pin member at least partially within the housing member, and a spring biasing the pin member into the housing member. The pin member includes a gripping portion, and has a retracted condition and a locked condition. When retracted, a suture can move through the housing member and around the gripping portion of the pin member. When locked, the gripping portion of the pin member engages the suture and presses it against the interior of the housing member.