Abstract: An approach is disclosed for improving ventricular function of a patient's heart. According to one embodiment, the system includes a pouch that defines a chamber dimensioned and configured to simulate at least a portion of a heart chamber. The pouch has a sidewall portion extending from an inflow annulus and terminating in a closed distal end spaced apart from the inflow annulus. A generally cylindrical outflow portion extends from the sidewall portion of the pouch and terminating in an outflow annulus thereof to provide for flow of fluid from the chamber through the outflow annulus. A valve is operatively associated with the inflow annulus of the pouch to provide for substantially unidirectional flow of fluid through the inflow annulus and into the chamber.

Abstract: A method for helping improve operation of a heart valve includes implanting an apparatus at an annulus of a heart valve, such that one or more leaflets of the patient's heart valve the can move into and out of engagement with a portion of the implanted apparatus and thereby help control blood flow relative to the apparatus and heart valve.

Abstract: An expandable type of heart valve prosthesis includes means for retaining the prosthesis substantially at a first cross-sectional dimension that is smaller than a second, expanded cross-sectional dimension, and for breaking down to permit the support structure to expand toward the second larger cross-sectional dimension after being implanted for a period of time.

Abstract: An intraventricular apparatus includes an elongated body having a substantially tubular sidewall that extends substantially axially between spaced apart first and second ends, an opening located proximal the first end. A valve is located adjacent the first end to provide for substantially unidirectional flow of blood therethrough. At least one aperture extends through the tubular sidewall at an axial location between the valve and the second end to provide for substantially free flow of blood between an interior and an exterior of the sidewall.

Abstract: A system for providing ablation comprising a fluid source that contains a volume of biocompatible ablation fluid. The system also comprises a heater that heats the ablation fluid and provides heated ablation fluid. The system further comprises an ablation applicator, spaced apart from the heater, and having a perimeter edge configured to engage tissue surround an area of tissue, the ablation applicator applying ablation fluid to the area of tissue. The system still further comprises a suction source for removing the ablation fluid from the area of tissue.

Abstract: A sizing apparatus and a method for ascertaining a size for a cardiac prosthesis are disclosed. Specifically, the sizing is implemented by positioning a contact member at a patient's heart valve for engagement by one or more viable leaflets of the patient's valve. The size is determined based on the engagement between the contact member and the leaflet (or leaflets) of the patient's valve.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a flange, a sleeve having a sidewall that extends longitudinally from the flange and terminates in a distal end portion, and a structure for substantially preventing flow of fluid in at least one axial direction from the distal end portion toward the flange. The structure can have a substantially closed condition and an open condition.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for supporting a heart valve at an annulus of an implantation site. The apparatus includes a base portion operative to maintain a circumferential dimension thereof. A plurality of fingers extend axially and radially outwardly from the first end of the support element. A heart valve can be located within the apparatus to provide a prosthesis that can be suturelessly implanted at an annulus of a patient.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis includes a valve member having an inflow end, an outflow end, and a generally cylindrical sidewall portion extending between the inflow end and the outflow end. The valve member includes at least one leaflet moveable relative to the sidewall portion to provide for substantially unidirectional flow of fluid through the valve member. A support of a substantially flexible material positioned is around the sidewall portion. A strip of pliant material is provided around valve member intermediate the inflow end and the outflow end of the valve member in a generally overlying relationship with the support. A covering is provided over a radially outer exposed surface of at least the strip.

Abstract: A system includes a prosthesis receiving portion having an opening at a first end that is spaced axially apart from a second end by a sidewall portion. The sidewall portion has a substantially smooth, radially inner sidewall that tapers from a first diameter at the opening to a second diameter at the second end of the prosthesis receiving portion. The second diameter is less than the first diameter and defines an exit aperture of the prosthesis receiving portion. A receptacle extends from the second end of the prosthesis receiving portion. The receptacle is dimensioned and configured for coaxially receiving a hollow portion of the implanter at a location relative to the exit aperture that provides a fluid transition between from the exit aperture of the prosthesis receiving portion to the receptacle, whereby loading the prosthesis from the within the prosthesis receiving portion into the hollow portion of the implanter is facilitated.

Abstract: An apparatus includes substantially rigid and annular base portion having a radially outer sidewall portion and having a radially inner sidewall portion that defines an opening that extends axially through the base portion. A first rim portion extends substantially radially outwardly from the radially outer sidewall portion. A second rim portion extends substantially radially outwardly from the radially outer sidewall portion at an axial location that is spaced apart from the first rim portion so as to define a substantially continuous annular channel that extends circumferentially along the radially outer sidewall portion intermediate the first rim portion and second rim portion. The apparatus can be covered with a substantially biocompatible material.

Abstract: An apparatus helps improve operation of a heart valve. The apparatus includes an arcuate base portion having a central axis and a buttress extending from the base portion axially relative to the base portion. The buttress has a first surface and an opposite second surface. The first surface is dimensioned and configured to be engaged by a first leaflet of the heart valve when the apparatus is implanted in the heart valve. The second surface is dimensioned and configured to be engaged by a second leaflet of the heart valve when the apparatus is implanted in the heart valve. The buttress permits flow of blood adjacent both the first surface of the buttress and the second surface of the buttress when the first and second leaflets are not engaging the buttress.

Abstract: An implanter that includes that includes a loading portion having an opening at a first end that is spaced axially apart from a second end by a sidewall portion. The sidewall portion has a radially inner sidewall that tapers from a first diameter at the opening to a second diameter at the second end of the loading portion, the second diameter being less than the first diameter. A barrel extending longitudinally from the second end of the loading portion to terminate in an open discharge end, a body lumen extending through the loading portion and through the barrel to provide for fluid communication through the body. A plunger is dimensioned and configured for movement through at least a substantial portion of the body lumen from the first end of the loading portion to a location adjacent the discharge end of the barrel.

Abstract: A method for extra-anatomic valve placement includes creating an aperture through the patient's heart that extends from a location outside of the patient's heart and into a left ventricle of the heart. A valve is mounted at least partially within the aperture and a continuous path is provided for fluid communication from the mounted valve and into the patient's aorta. The method can be implemented in the absence of cardio pulmonary bypass.

Abstract: One introducer apparatus may include a flange and a sleeve having a sidewall that extends longitudinally from the flange and terminates in a distal end portion. At least one adjustable opening is operatively associated with the distal end portion. The adjustable opening is moveable from a substantially closed condition to an open condition, which permits substantially free movement of an elongate member axially through a passage defined by the sidewall. An implanter can be utilized in combination with the introducer apparatus to facilitate implanting an article in a patient.

Abstract: A valvular prosthesis and method of using the prosthesis are disclosed. A valve apparatus is located within a stent apparatus, such that the prosthesis is deformable between a first condition and a second condition, in which the prosthesis has a reduced cross-sectional dimension relative to the first condition, whereby implantation of the prosthesis is facilitated when in the second condition.

Abstract: An implantable apparatus has a plurality of fixed and detoxified protein layers formed in situ overlying at least one surface to improve biocompatibility. A process of making the implantable apparatus can include repeatedly exposing at least one surface of the implantable apparatus to a protein solution to form a multi-layered coating of protein on the at least one surface and fixing the protein layered implantable apparatus with a fixation solution and then substantially detoxifying the multi-layered protein coating.

Abstract: A sizing apparatus can include a contact member having a curved contact surface, the contact surface extending in a substantially convex shape from a proximal end to a distal end along a direction that lies in a same plane as a first axis, the contact surface extending in a substantially concave shape between spaced apart first and second side edges along a direction that lies in a plane that is substantially transverse to the first axis. The sizing apparatus can also include an arm extending from the contact member substantially parallel to the first axis. A flange may also be provided to facilitate use of the sizing apparatus.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed for improving ventricular function of a patient's heart. In one example, an implantable apparatus includes an inflow conduit having first and second ends spaced apart from each other by a sidewall portion. An inflow valve is operatively associated with the inflow conduit to provide for substantially unidirectional flow of blood through the inflow conduit from the first end to the second end of the inflow conduit. A pouch has an interior chamber that defines a volume. The inflow conduit is in fluid communication with the interior chamber of the pouch. An outflow conduit is in fluid communication with the interior chamber of the pouch to permit substantially free flow of fluid from the interior chamber of the pouch and into the outflow conduit, which terminates in an outflow annulus spaced from the pouch.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed for improving ventricular function of a patient's heart. According to one embodiment, the system includes a pouch that defines a chamber dimensioned and configured to simulate at least a portion of a heart chamber. The pouch has a sidewall portion extending from an inflow annulus and terminating in a closed distal end spaced apart from the inflow annulus. A generally cylindrical outflow portion extends from the sidewall portion of the pouch and terminating in an outflow annulus thereof to provide for flow of fluid from the chamber through the outflow annulus. A valve is operatively associated with the inflow annulus of the pouch to provide for substantially unidirectional flow of fluid through the inflow annulus and into the chamber.