Abstract: Prosthetic heart valves described herein can be deployed using a transcatheter delivery system and technique to interface and anchor in cooperation with the anatomical structures of a native heart valve. Some embodiments of prosthetic valves described herein include an anchor portion that couples to the anatomy near a native valve, and a valve portion that is mateable with the anchor portion. In some such embodiments, the anchor portion and/or the deployment system includes one or more prosthetic elements that temporarily augment or replace the sealing function of the native valve leaflets.

Abstract: Prosthetic heart valves described herein can be deployed using a transcatheter delivery system and technique to interface and anchor in cooperation with the anatomical structures of a native heart valve. Some embodiments of prosthetic valves described herein include an anchor portion that couples to the anatomy near a native valve, and a valve portion that is mateable with the anchor portion. In some such embodiments, the anchor portion and/or the deployment system includes one or more prosthetic elements that temporarily augment or replace the sealing function of the native valve leaflets.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to intravascular electrophysiology catheters including a catheter handle with a steering-wire locking mechanism.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (402) includes an attachment member (424) having an aperture (428) with a first diameter. A delivery device (400) includes a catheter shaft (406), a tube (450?) within the shaft, and a tether (422?) within the tube. The tube has a main portion (455?) with a second diameter and an expandable distal end (457?). The tether has a body (423?) and a tether member (426?) having a third diameter greater than the second diameter and smaller than the first diameter. The tether is slideable relative to the tube from a released condition in which the tether member is positioned at least partially distal to the distal end of the tube, and a locked condition in which the tether member is at least partially surrounded by the distal end of the tube. The distal end of the tube can pass through the aperture only in the released condition.

Abstract: An introducer sheath includes a body having a lumen extending between a leading end and a trailing end and having a collapsed condition with a first lateral cross-section, the first lateral cross-section being flower-shaped, the body being configured to transition from the collapsed condition to an expanded condition with a second lateral cross-section when an apparatus is passed through the lumen, the second lateral cross-section having a maximum dimension larger than a maximum dimension of the first lateral cross-section.

Abstract: Prosthetic heart valves described herein can be deployed using a transcatheter delivery system and technique to interface and anchor in cooperation with the anatomical structures of a native heart valve. Some embodiments of prosthetic valves described herein include an anchor portion that couples to the anatomy near a native valve, and a valve portion that is mateable with the anchor portion. In some such embodiments, the anchor portion and/or the deployment system includes one or more prosthetic elements that temporarily augment or replace the sealing function of the native valve leaflets.

Abstract: Prosthetic heart valves described herein can be deployed using a transcatheter delivery system and technique to interface and anchor in cooperation with the anatomical structures of a native heart valve. Some embodiments of prosthetic valves described herein include an anchor portion that couples to the anatomy near a native valve, and a valve portion that is mateable with the anchor portion. In some such embodiments, the anchor portion and/or the deployment system includes one or more prosthetic elements that temporarily augment or replace the sealing function of the native valve leaflets.

Abstract: An introducer sheath (300) includes a body (305) extending between a leading end (304) and a trailing end (302) and including a plurality of rectangular segments (310) extending from the leading end to the trailing end. The segments are joined to one another along longitudinal edges to form a tubular structure with a lumen (308) therethrough, the segments being joined at vertices (314). The body has a collapsed condition with a first cross-section and is configured to transition from the collapsed condition to an expanded condition with a second cross-section when an apparatus is passed through the lumen, the second cross-section having a maximum dimension larger than a maximum dimension of the first cross-section.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (402) includes an attachment member (424) having an aperture (428) with a first diameter. A delivery device (400) includes a catheter shaft (406), a tube (450?) within the shaft, and a tether (422?) within the tube. The tube has a main portion (455?) with a second diameter and an expandable distal end (457?). The tether has a body (423?) and a tether member (426?) having a third diameter greater than the second diameter and smaller than the first diameter. The tether is slideable relative to the tube from a released condition in which the tether member is positioned at least partially distal to the distal end of the tube, and a locked condition in which the tether member is at least partially surrounded by the distal end of the tube. The distal end of the tube can pass through the aperture only in the released condition.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to intravascular electrophysiology catheters including a catheter handle with a steering-wire locking mechanism.

Abstract: A delivery device for a prosthetic heart valve includes a proximal sheath and a distal sheath. The proximal sheath has a distal end disposed at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the proximal sheath, and the distal sheath has a proximal end disposed at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the distal sheath. The distal end of the proximal sheath and the proximal end of the distal sheath mate so that rotation of the distal sheath relative to the proximal sheath causes the distal sheath to deflect from coaxial alignment with the proximal sheath. Deflection of the distal sheath relative to the proximal sheath enables the prosthetic valve to be axially aligned with the native valve annulus for deployment.

Abstract: An introducer sheath includes a body having a lumen extending between a leading end and a trailing end and having a collapsed condition with a first lateral cross-section, the first lateral cross-section being flower-shaped, the body being configured to transition from the collapsed condition to an expanded condition with a second lateral cross-section when an apparatus is passed through the lumen, the second lateral cross-section having a maximum dimension larger than a maximum dimension of the first lateral cross-section.

Abstract: An introducer sheath (300) includes a body (305) extending between a leading end (304) and a trailing end (302) and including a plurality of rectangular segments (310) extending from the leading end to the trailing end. The segments are joined to one another along longitudinal edges to form a tubular structure with a lumen (308) therethrough, the segments being joined at vertices (314). The body has a collapsed condition with a first cross-section and is configured to transition from the collapsed condition to an expanded condition with a second cross-section when an apparatus is passed through the lumen, the second cross-section having a maximum dimension larger than a maximum dimension of the first cross-section.

Abstract: Prosthetic heart valves described herein can be deployed using a transcatheter delivery system and technique to interface and anchor in cooperation with the anatomical structures of a native heart valve. Some embodiments of prosthetic valves described herein include an anchor portion that couples to the anatomy near a native valve, and a valve portion that is mateable with the anchor portion. In some such embodiments, the anchor portion and/or the deployment system includes one or more prosthetic elements that temporarily augment or replace the sealing function of the native valve leaflets.

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 delivery device for a prosthetic heart valve includes a proximal sheath and a distal sheath. The proximal sheath has a distal end disposed at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the proximal sheath, and the distal sheath has a proximal end disposed at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the distal sheath. The distal end of the proximal sheath and the proximal end of the distal sheath mate so that rotation of the distal sheath relative to the proximal sheath causes the distal sheath to deflect from coaxial alignment with the proximal sheath. Deflection of the distal sheath relative to the proximal sheath enables the prosthetic valve to be axially aligned with the native valve annulus for deployment.

Abstract: A delivery device for a prosthetic heart valve includes a proximal sheath and a distal sheath. The proximal sheath has a distal end disposed at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the proximal sheath, and the distal sheath has a proximal end disposed at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the distal sheath. The distal end of the proximal sheath and the proximal end of the distal sheath mate so that rotation of the distal sheath relative to the proximal sheath causes the distal sheath to deflect from coaxial alignment with the proximal sheath. Deflection of the distal sheath relative to the proximal sheath enables the prosthetic valve to be axially aligned with the native valve annulus for deployment.

Abstract: A method of creating a thermochromic artificial blood vessel includes physically cross-linking a polyvinyl alcohol solution in a mold shaped to mimic a blood vessel to create an artificial blood vessel. The artificial tissue is then chemically cross-linked with a solution including a chemical cross-linking reagent. A coagulation solution is then applied to the artificial blood vessel to both inhibit the chemical cross-linking and promote physical cross-linking of the artificial blood vessel. The artificial blood vessel can be used to test an ablation catheter. The vessel, when heated by the ablation catheter, changes color and/or transparency at locations where the temperature of artificial blood vessel increases.

Abstract: A method of creating a thermochromic artificial blood vessel includes physically cross-linking a polyvinyl alcohol solution in a mold shaped to mimic a blood vessel to create an artificial blood vessel. The artificial tissue is then chemically cross-linked with a solution including a chemical cross-linking reagent. A coagulation solution is then applied to the artificial blood vessel to both inhibit the chemical cross-linking and promote physical cross-linking of the artificial blood vessel. The artificial blood vessel can be used to test an ablation catheter. The vessel, when heated by the ablation catheter, changes color and/or transparency at locations where the temperature of artificial blood vessel increases.

Abstract: A delivery device for a prosthetic heart valve includes a proximal sheath and a distal sheath. The proximal sheath has a distal end disposed at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the proximal sheath, and the distal sheath has a proximal end disposed at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the distal sheath. The distal end of the proximal sheath and the proximal end of the distal sheath mate so that rotation of the distal sheath relative to the proximal sheath causes the distal sheath to deflect from coaxial alignment with the proximal sheath. Deflection of the distal sheath relative to the proximal sheath enables the prosthetic valve to be axially aligned with the native valve annulus for deployment.