Abstract: The disclosure provides an elongate tissue dissection and removal catheter having a length and defining a longitudinal axis along the length of the catheter. The tissue dissection and removal catheter includes an outer tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and defining an elongate passage therethrough along its length, and a subassembly slidably disposed in the elongate passage of the outer tubular member. The subassembly includes first and second deployable stabilizers configured to expand in lateral width along a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis when unconstrained by the outer tubular member. Each stabilizer can define a curved free distal end that is configured to be received within a cusp of a respective cardiac valve leaflet.

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: The disclosure provides various embodiments of catheters having articulable ends that can be used for various procedures. Embodiments of methods are also provided that can be performed with catheters in accordance with the present disclosure.

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: Systems and methods of atrioventricular valve replacement are provided. In various embodiments, an arch-like support structure is provided that is insertable and implantable into a heart and is positioned in the mitral annulus to replace a native mitral valve. The support structure is operable to support, and various systems comprise leaflet and chord structures operable to control and regular blood flow between chambers of the heart.

Abstract: The disclosure provides various embodiments of systems to facilitate the cutting of luminal tissue structures percutaneously.

Abstract: The disclosure provides various embodiments of systems to facilitate the cutting of luminal tissue structures percutaneously.

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: Disclosed delivery catheters have a three-dimensional curvature that facilitates reaching the RAA from the inferior vena cava, positioning the distal end of the catheter generally parallel to the plane of the pericardial space at the puncture location within the RAA, orienting the puncturing device in a direction that avoids the right coronary artery, aorta, pulmonary artery, and other structures to prevent bystander injury to such structures, and provides sufficient rigidity to puncture through a wall of the RAA into the pericardial space.

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: Disclosed monopolar and bipolar tissue lacerators can comprise a wire partially covered by electrical insulation, wherein the wire has a kink defining an inner curvature, wherein the wire is exposed through the insulation at one or two exposed regions along or near the inner curvature of the kink, wherein the wire is configured to conduct electrical energy through the one or two exposed regions and through a tissue target positioned adjacent the inner curvature to lacerate the tissue target via the electrical energy. The tissue target can be a native or prosthetic heart valve leaflet in a patient's heart.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods for closing a hole in the wall of a cardiovascular structure from the inside using a self-assembling closure device. The closure device can be delivered to the subject hole from the inside of the cardiovascular chamber using a transcatheter approach. Disclosed techniques involve deploying the closure device from the delivery device such that an endo-cameral portion of the closure device self-expands first to cover the hole from the inside, and then extra-cameral arms of the device are released to self-deploy against the outside of the wall by withdrawal of a retaining element, such as a guidewire, to secure the closure device to the wall.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to devices and methods for manipulating, such as with a suction based traction device, a target anatomic structure inside the body and delivering an ligation device around the anatomic structure. In particular examples, the target structure can be an atrial appendage, and the devices and methods are for atrial appendage ligation.

Abstract: A method of querying a database system, the database system comprising at least one database populated with a plurality of unique, multi-character expressions associated with the data entities of the at least one database, the method comprising: providing a graphical user interface for receiving at least one input selection from a user defining a database query expression; scanning the at least one database with the database query expression to obtain a first set of results; parsing the first set of results with a user profile expression associated with the user to obtain a second set of results, the user profile expression comprising a unique, multi-character expression; and displaying the second set of results in the graphical user interface.

Abstract: Delivery devices for delivering encircling implants can include two separate limbs that are held together at a distal articulation by the implant being delivered. The implant can comprise a suture and/or a braided tube. The implant can extend through or over the limbs. The implant and at least a distal portion of the limbs can be compressible into a delivery shape that allows for advancement through the lumen of a delivery catheter. When the distal portion of the limbs move out of the delivery catheter, the limbs and implant can resiliently assume a loop shape that is complementary to a shape of a target around which the encircling implant is to be placed. The limbs are then retracted from along the implant to leave the implant in the desired delivery position. The delivery device can be used to place encircling implants around the heart or other targets, and the implant can be tightened to exert compressive force on the target.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for the treatment or repair of regurgitant cardiac valves, such as a mitral valve. An illustrative annuloplasty device can be placed in the coronary sinus to reshape the mitral valve and reduce mitral valve regurgitation. An improved protective device can be placed between the annuloplasty device and an underlying coronary artery to inhibit compression of the underlying coronary artery by the annuloplasty device in the coronary sinus. In addition, the protective device can inhibit compression of the coronary artery from inside the heart, such as from a prosthetic mitral valve that exerts radially outward pressure toward the coronary artery. The annuloplasty device can also create an artificial inner ridge or retaining feature projecting into the native mitral valve region to help secure a prosthetic mitral valve.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a variety of prostheses, delivery systems and techniques to facilitate closure of transvascular or transcameral access ports. Various embodiments of prostheses are provided including a plurality of radially expandable discs that can be filled with material to facilitate coagulation and to reduce or stop leakage from punctures in vessel walls.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods for closing a hole in the wall of a cardiovascular structure from the inside using a self-assembling closure device. The closure device can be delivered to the subject hole from the inside of the cardiovascular chamber using a transcatheter approach. Disclosed techniques involve deploying the closure device from the delivery device such that an endo-cameral portion of the closure device self-expands first to cover the hole from the inside, and then extra-cameral arms of the device are released to self-deploy against the outside of the wall by withdrawal of a retaining element, such as a guidewire, to secure the closure device to the wall.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a variety of prostheses, delivery systems and techniques to facilitate closure of transvascular or transcameral access ports. Various embodiments of prostheses are provided including a plurality of radially expandable mesh discs filled with material to facilitate coagulation and to reduce or stop leakage from punctures in vessel walls.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a variety of prostheses, delivery systems and techniques to facilitate closure of transvascular or transcameral access ports. Various embodiments of prostheses are provided including a plurality of radially expandable discs that can be filled with material to facilitate coagulation and to reduce or stop leakage from punctures in vessel walls.