Abstract: Apparatus for repairing a leaflet of a heart valve can include a leaflet-plicating tool that can include leaflet-capture arms and a helical needle. The needle can be operatively coupled to the leaflet-capture arms. The leaflet-capture arms can include an arm-shaft, each configured to house a leaflet-engaging member. The leaflet-capture arms can be configured to use the leaflet-engaging members, extended over the leaflet from the annulus toward a free edge of the leaflet, to form a plication in the leaflet of the heart valve between the leaflet-capture arms. The leaflet-plicating tool can be configured to secure the plication by using the helical needle to stitch a suture helically along the plication. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing a heart valve can comprises a leaflet-plicating mechanism configured to plicate a leaflet of a heart valve and a helical needle comprising a plurality of coils. The needle can be configured to implant a suture to extend helically through plicated tissue of the heart valve. The leaflet-plicating mechanism can comprise first and second leaflet-capture arms, which can be configured to move toward and away from each other between an open position and closed position. The leaflet-capture arms can be configured to plicate the leaflet as the leaflet-capture arms are moved from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: An implantable device includes a spacer member configured to be disposed between leaflets of a native heart valve that is located between a first chamber and a second chamber of the heart. The device further includes a plurality of anchor members coupled to the spacer member and configured to capture the leaflets such that the device is retained between the leaflets. The spacer member is configured to provide a flow path through the device between the first chamber and the second chamber when the leaflets are captured such that blood can flow regurgitatively from the second chamber to the first chamber through the spacer member.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic device includes a plurality of anchor members, a plurality of clasps, and a cover. The plurality of clasps are configured to capture the leaflets to secure the leaflets to the anchor members. The cover is disposed over the plurality of anchor members. The cover can also be disposed over the clasps and a spacer member. A portion of the cover can be covered by a coupler. One or more extensions of a coupling collar can extend through the cover.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic device includes a spacer member configured to be disposed between leaflets of a native heart valve that is located between a first chamber and a second chamber of the heart. The prosthetic device further includes a plurality of anchor members coupled to the spacer member and configured to capture the leaflets between respective anchor members and the spacer member such that the prosthetic device is retained between the leaflets. The spacer member is configured to provide a flow path through the prosthetic device between the first chamber and the second chamber when the leaflets are captured between the anchor members and the spacer member such that blood can flow regurgitatively from the second chamber to the first chamber through the spacer member.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic device includes a plurality of anchor members, a plurality of clasps, and a cover. The plurality of clasps are configured to capture the leaflets to secure the leaflets to the anchor members. The cover is disposed over the plurality of anchor members. The cover can also be disposed over the clasps and a spacer member. A portion of the cover can be covered by a coupler. One or more extensions of a coupling collar can extend through the cover.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing a heart valve can comprises a leaflet-plicating mechanism configured to plicate a leaflet of a heart valve and a helical needle comprising a plurality of coils. The needle can be configured to implant a suture to extend helically through plicated tissue of the heart valve. The leaflet-plicating mechanism can comprise first and second leaflet-capture arms, which can be configured to move toward and away from each other between an open position and closed position. The leaflet-capture arms can be configured to plicate the leaflet as the leaflet-capture arms are moved from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing a heart valve can comprises a leaflet-plicating mechanism configured to plicate a leaflet of a heart valve and a helical needle comprising a plurality of coils. The needle can be configured to implant a suture to extend helically through plicated tissue of the heart valve. The leaflet-plicating mechanism can comprise first and second leaflet-capture arms, which can be configured to move toward and away from each other between an open position and closed position. The leaflet-capture arms can be configured to plicate the leaflet as the leaflet-capture arms are moved from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: A mitral valve repair system includes a delivery sheath, a mitral valve repair device, and an actuator. The mitral valve repair device is disposed in the delivery sheath in an extended condition. The mitral valve repair device is movable out of the delivery sheath while in the extended condition. The actuator is coupled to the mitral valve repair device, such that retracting the actuator reduces a length of the mitral valve repair device from the extended condition.

Abstract: A mitral valve repair system includes a delivery sheath, a mitral valve repair device, and an actuator. The mitral valve repair device is disposed in the delivery sheath in an extended condition. The mitral valve repair device includes a pair of barbed clasps. The barbed clasps are in a closed condition while the mitral valve repair device is in the extended condition in the delivery sheath.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic device includes a spacer member configured to be disposed between leaflets of a native heart valve that is located between a first chamber and a second chamber of the heart. The prosthetic device further includes a plurality of anchor members coupled to the spacer member and configured to capture the leaflets between respective anchor members and the spacer member such that the prosthetic device is retained between the leaflets. The spacer member is configured to provide a flow path through the prosthetic device between the first chamber and the second chamber when the leaflets are captured between the anchor members and the spacer member such that blood can flow regurgitatively from the second chamber to the first chamber through the spacer member.

Abstract: An exemplary valve repair system for repairing a native valve of a patient during a non-open-heart procedure has a delivery device and a valve repair device. The valve repair device is configured to be delivered through a lumen of the delivery device and to attach to a native valve of a patient. The valve repair device has first and second paddles and first and second gripping members. The first and second paddles are movable between an open position and a closed position. The first gripping member is attached to the first paddle and the second gripping member is attached to the second paddle. The gripping members are configured to attach to the native valve of the patient. A gripper control mechanism is configured to separately move the first and second gripping members.

Abstract: A pair of paddles are moved laterally away from one another in an exemplary method of repairing a native valve of a patient during a non-open-heart procedure. After the paddles are moved laterally away from one another, first and second gripping members are moved from an open position to a closed position to grasp valve leaflets. The paddles are then moved laterally toward one another. A cam can be used to move the paddles away from one another.

Abstract: An exemplary recapturable valve repair system for repairing a native valve of a patient during a non-open heart procedure has a delivery device, a valve repair device, and a tethering line. The delivery device has a catheter and a coupler. The valve repair device is configured to be delivered through the catheter and attach to a native valve of a patient. The valve repair device includes a coaption element, a proximal collar, and first and second paddles. The first and second paddles are connected to the coaption element. The coupler is releasably connected to the proximal collar. The tethering line connects the valve repair device to the delivery device for recapturing the valve repair device.

Abstract: An exemplary valve repair device is released from tissue of a valve of a patient by applying tension to a movable arm of a clasp in a retraction direction. A fixed arm of the clasp is attached to an inner paddle portion of a paddle of the valve repair device. The inner paddle portion is connected to an outer paddle portion of the paddle of the valve repair device. Pulling the moveable arm of the clasp flexes the inner paddle portion to allow the moveable arm to move in the retraction direction and thereby release the clasp from the valve tissue.

Abstract: An exemplary valve repair device for repairing a valve of a patient has a paddle, and a clasp. The clasp has a fixed arm attached to the paddle and a moveable arm. The moveable arm includes barbs that are spaced apart from a connection between the moveable arm and the fixed arm. The moveable arm is movable between open and closed positions relative to the fixed arm. The moveable arm has a weakened portion between the barbs and the connection between the moveable arm and the fixed arm. Applying tension to the movable arm in a retraction direction stretches the moveable arm and moves the barbs in the retraction direction.

Abstract: An exemplary valve repair device for repairing a native valve of a patient includes a coaption element, a pair of paddles, and barb portions. The barb portions extend directly from at least one of the coaption element and the pair of paddles.

Abstract: An exemplary valve repair system for repairing a native valve of a patient during a non-open heart procedure includes a delivery device and a valve repair device. The valve repair device includes a pair of gripping members that are configured to attach to the native valve of the patient. A gripper control mechanism is configured to independently engage and move each of the gripping members.

Abstract: An exemplary valve repair device for repairing a native valve of a patient has a pair of paddles, a pair of gripping members, and at least one latch member. The paddles are movable between an open position and a closed position. The paddles and/or the gripping members are configured to attach to the native valve of the patient. When the paddles are in the closed position, the latch members latch the paddles in the closed position.

Abstract: An exemplary valve repair device for repairing a native valve of a patient has a cap, and a paddle. The paddle has an inner paddle portion and an outer paddle portion. The inner paddle portion and the outer paddle portion are formed from a continuous strip of metal fabric. The outer paddle portion is connected to the cap. The cap is moveable away from the inner paddle portion to open the paddle.