Abstract: The present invention relates to an occluder device (1) comprising a supporting structure (2) said supporting structure (2) comprising a central portion (201) having a distal end (202) and a proximal end (203); said supporting structure (2) comprising distal branches (204) extending away from said distal end (202) of the central portion (201); said supporting structure (2) comprising proximal branches (205) extending away from said proximal end (203) of the central portion (201); said proximal and distal branches (204, 205) defining elastic hooked struts which are rotatable away from the central portion (201) to anchor a septum (7) of a heart (103); said occluder device (1) further comprising at least one membrane (8); said membrane (8) comprises a membrane body (11) connected to the distal or proximal branches (204; 205); when the branches (204, 205) are in the unfolded or lying position, said membrane (8) has a closed position where the membrane (8) is in a configuration which provides maximum occlusion to

Abstract: According to some embodiments, an interseptal occluding device comprises a support structure comprising a first anchoring portion and an opposite second anchoring portion, a lumen extending through a center of the first anchoring portion and a center second anchoring portion, wherein the support structure is configured to contract and expand between a compressed tubular configuration for insertion through a patient's vasculature, and an expanded configuration, in which the first and second anchoring portions extend radially outwards from the lumen; and a membrane coupled to the first anchoring portion, the membrane configured to occlude a majority of the lumen when the support structure is expanded, the membrane configured to promote tissue growth at least across the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an occluder device (1) comprising a supporting structure (2) adapted to anchor the septum (7) of a heart (103) when crossing a septum defect (107); said supporting structure (2) comprising a supporting structure periphery (5) delimiting a structure central opening (6); said occluder device (1) further comprising a membrane (8); said membrane (8) comprises a membrane body (11) having a membrane periphery (12); said membrane (8) has a closed position in which the membrane (8) is in a configuration which provides maximum occlusion to the structure central opening (6); the membrane periphery (12) is fastened to said supporting structure periphery (5) to cover the structure central opening (6); said membrane (8) comprising at least one slit (21); when actively engaged by an external device (108) the membrane (8) deforms the slit (21) which elastically extends, creating a passage lumen (27); in which said membrane (8) comprises at least one permanent passage lumen or shunt lumen (13

Abstract: The present invention relates to an occluder device (1) comprising a supporting structure (2) said supporting structure (2) comprising a central portion (201) having a distal end (202) and a proximal end (203); said supporting structure (2) comprising distal branches (204) extending away from said distal end (202) of the central portion (201); said supporting structure (2) comprising proximal branches (205) extending away from said proximal end (203) of the central portion (201); said proximal and distal branches (204, 205) defining elastic hooked struts which are rotatable away from the central portion (201) to anchor a septum (7) of a heart (103); said occluder device (1) further comprising at least one membrane (8); said membrane (8) comprises a membrane body (11) connected to the distal or proximal branches (204; 205); when the branches (204, 205) are in the unfolded or lying position, said membrane (8) has a closed position where the membrane (8) is in a configuration which provides maximum occlusion to

Abstract: A device for treating valvular regurgitation that includes an expandable anchor designed for transitioning from a linear configuration to a crown-like configuration through a radial expansion phase and an inversion phase. The expandable anchor is attached to a transvalvular spacer for providing a coaptation surface to valve leaflets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heart implant comprising an attachment element (2), particularly a tubular attachment element for attaching a sheath (4), preferably having a sheath (4) being coaxially positioned around at least a part of the attachment element (2) and fixed to it, the attachment element (2) having a lower end (2a) and an upper end (2b) and several strips (3) at least at one of the ends, preferably being split into several strips at least at one of the ends (2b), preferably only at the upper end (2b), the strips (3) forming an expandable anchoring cage, particularly for fixing the heart implant to a lumen of the heart, preferably the atrium, by surface contact between an exterior surface of the expandable cage and an interior lumen surface, the strips (3) of the anchoring cage ending in respective strip tips (7) at the end of their extension in the compressed state, particularly during delivery through a catheter (1), the strip tips (7) forming the distal or proximal end of the implant, particularl

Abstract: The invention provides a non-occlusive dilation and deployment catheter device which includes a catheter having a distal end configured for entering a patient and a proximal end for manipulating the device. A distender is provided at or near the distal end which is movable between a collapsed configuration which enables introduction and removal thereof to and from an operative site in a vessel or other hollow organ of a patient, and an expanded configuration in which the distender assumes a radially expanded condition and defines a flow path therethrough. The distender includes a substantially tubular, radially expandable frame having a plurality of spaced apertures and at least one inflatable tube threaded through the apertures and shaped to extend in a spiral when inflated. The distender is movable to the expanded configuration by inflating the tube, and movable to the collapsed configuration from the expanded configuration by deflating the tube.

Abstract: The invention provides a heart valve leaflet capture device (250) comprising a cardiac catheter probe having a proximal end for manipulating the device (250) and a distal end terminating in a transvalve element (256). The transvalve element (256) is configured to pass through a heart valve generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the catheter and includes two or three leaflet gripping elements (252). The leaflet gripping elements (252) are individually movable by operation of an associated actuating mechanism (260) between a radially retracted position, in which they are withdrawn with respect to the transvalve element (256), and a capture position, in which they diverge outwardly at an acute angle from the transvalve element (256). In the capture position, each leaflet gripping element (252) defines a convergent capture zone that is directed towards the edges of a target valve leaflet and in which the target valve leaflet may be captured.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heart implant, particularly being configured to reduce or eliminate a heart valve insufficiency after implantation into the heart, comprising a closure element (1) being configured to be positioned within the heart valve annulus, particularly being configured to close or at least to reduce a remaining gap between closing valve leaflets, an anchoring element (2) being attached to the closure element (1) for fixing the implant in the heart, preferably for non-invasive fixing by surface contact between the exterior surface of the anchoring element (2) and an interior surface of a heart lumen, preferably the atrium, wherein the closure element (1) and the anchoring element (2) are connected with a means (1a, 2a) for changing the relative position of the closure element (1) and the anchoring element (2) to each other. The invention furthermore relates to a method of treating a heart valve insufficiency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heart implant comprising an attachment element (2), particularly a tubular attachment element for attaching a sheath (4), preferably having a sheath (4) being coaxially positioned around at least a part of the attachment element (2) and fixed to it, the attachment element (2) having a lower end (2a) and an upper end (2b) and several strips (3) at least at one of the ends, preferably being split into several strips at least at one of the ends (2b), preferably only at the upper end (2b), the strips (3) forming an expandable anchoring cage, particularly for fixing the heart implant to a lumen of the heart, preferably the atrium, by surface contact between an exterior surface of the expandable cage and an interior lumen surface, the strips (3) of the anchoring cage ending in respective strip tips (7) at the end of their extension in the compressed state, particularly during delivery through a catheter (1), the strip tips (7) forming the distal or proximal end of the implant, particularl

Abstract: An orientation device (200) for use in mitral valve repair surgery is provided and includes a catheter (202) catheter insertable percutaneously through the mitral valve into a chamber of a heart. At least one pressure sensor (216, 218) and two generally arcuate commissural arms (208, 210) are provided at or near the distal end (204) of the catheter (202). The arms (208, 210) are deployable from a stowed condition, in which the catheter (202) can be introduced percutaneously into the heart, to an operative condition in which they extend outwardly in generally opposite directions. Each arm (208, 210) is shaped to be locatable within a mitral valve commissure and has an indentation (212) shaped to extend, in use, at least partially about a mitral valve commissure to limit movement of the device (200) relative to the mitral valve in the axial direction of the catheter (202).

Abstract: The invention provides a non-occlusive dilation and deployment catheter device which includes a catheter having a distal end configured for entering a patient and a proximal end for manipulating the device. A distender is provided at or near the distal end which is movable between a collapsed configuration which enables introduction and removal thereof to and from an operative site in a vessel or other hollow organ of a patient, and an expanded configuration in which the distender assumes a radially expanded condition and defines a flow path therethrough. The distender includes a substantially tubular, radially expandable frame having a plurality of spaced apertures and at least one inflatable tube threaded through the apertures and shaped to extend in a spiral when inflated. The distender is movable to the expanded configuration by inflating the tube, and movable to the collapsed configuration from the expanded configuration by deflating the tube.

Abstract: The invention provides a heart valve leaflet capture device (250) comprising a cardiac catheter probe having a proximal end for manipulating the device (250) and a distal end terminating in a transvalve element (256). The transvalve element (256) is configured to pass through a heart valve generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the catheter and includes two or three leaflet gripping elements (252). The leaflet gripping elements (252) are individually movable by operation of an associated actuating mechanism (260) between a radially retracted position, in which they are withdrawn with respect to the transvalve element (256), and a capture position, in which they diverge outwardly at an acute angle from the transvalve element (256). In the capture position, each leaflet gripping element (252) defines a convergent capture zone that is directed towards the edges of a target valve leaflet and in which the target valve leaflet may be captured.

Abstract: A sealing liquid for sealing mail pieces contains water and a penetration agent. The sealing liquid is applied by letter-closing devices and franking machines containing such a sealing liquid. Once sealed, the opening of the letter produces a pronounced pattern so that it is clear that the letter has been opened. Therefore any attempts to reseal the once opened enveloped are easily detected.

Abstract: An orientation device (200) for use in mitral valve repair surgery is provided and includes a catheter (202) catheter insertable percutaneously through the mitral valve into a chamber of a heart. At least one pressure sensor (216, 218) and two generally arcuate commissural arms (208, 210) are provided at or near the distal end (204) of the catheter (202). The arms (208, 210) are deployable from a stowed condition, in which the catheter (202) can be introduced percutaneously into the heart, to an operative condition in which they extend outwardly in generally opposite directions. Each arm (208, 210) is shaped to be locatable within a mitral valve commissure and has an indentation (212) shaped to extend, in use, at least partially about a mitral valve commissure to limit movement of the device (200) relative to the mitral valve in the axial direction of the catheter (202).

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a flexible drive assembly (12) which includes drive elements (14) connected to one another in series. Each drive element has a body (16) with a central axis (18) and male and female ends (20, 22). The male end includes a projecting rib (26) of non-circular cross-section and the female end defines a socket (36) with a groove (44) therein which is of non-circular cross-section. The drive elements are connected to one another in series by location of the male end of one element in the series in the socket at the female end of a neighbouring element in the series with the rib of the male end received as a snap fit in the groove of the socket. The male ends and sockets are configured to allow limited pivotal movement to take place between adjacent elements, in each case about an axis transverse to the central axes of the elements, while also allowing the connected elements to transmit rotational torque in either direction from one to the other.

Abstract: A sealing liquid for sealing mail pieces contains water and a penetration agent. The sealing liquid is applied by letter-closing devices and franking machines containing such a sealing liquid. Once sealed, the opening of the letter produces a pronounced pattern so that it is clear that the letter has been opened. Therefore any attempts to reseal the once opened enveloped are easily detected.

Abstract: An particle separation microstructure comprising a body and a flow channel extending through the body, having an inlet and an outlet for receiving a flow of particles therethrough. The flow channel comprises opposing first and second walls disposed in a spaced-apart relationship and at least one protrusion extending from the first wall into the flow channel and extending along a length of the flow channel. At least a portion of one of the first and second walls is reversibly actuatable between a first and a second position and the first and second walls are substantially parallel in the second position. In the first position the flow channel is open for receiving the flow of particles and in the second position the at least one protrusion abuts the second wall and the flow channel is constricted for restricting the flow of particles and separating particles from the flow of particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a grating image (30) for depicting a motif (24) that moves upon tilting the grating image (30) about a tilt axis (20), having two or more grating fields (32, 34, 36) having a viewing-angle-dependent visual appearance, that each include an electromagnetic-radiation-influencing grating pattern composed of a plurality of grating lines, and exhibit a preferred direction that establishes a viewing angle from which the appropriate grating field (32, 34, 36) is visually distinguishable, wherein, according to the present invention, the grating fields (32, 34, 36) are formed from a plurality of sub-regions nested within each other (32-i, 34-i, 36-i), and each grating field (32, 34, 36) displays a motif (24) view (24-A, 24-B, 24-C) that is shifted substantially along the tilt axis (20), wherein the viewing angles for the visual distinguishability and the shifts of the motif views (24-A, 24-B, 24-C) of the grating fields (32, 34, 36) are coordinated with each other such that, upon til