Abstract: A method and device for reducing mitral regurgitation. An elongated body is positioned in a coronary sinus of a patient in a vicinity of a heart mitral valve posterior leaflet. The body is adapted to straighten a natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet to move a posterior annulus anteriorly, which in turn moves the posterior leaflet anteriorly, thereby to improve leaflet coaptation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation. The apparatus is inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to straighten the natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and reduce mitral regurgitation.

Abstract: A method for reducing mitral regurgitation includes deploying deforming matter into a selected one of (i) a mitral valve annulus adjacent a posterior leaflet, and (ii) tissue adjacent the mitral valve annulus and proximate the posterior leaflet, to cause conformational change in the mitral valve annulus to increase mitral valve leaflet coaptation.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation includes a delivery catheter extendable through a vascular system of a patient and into a coronary sinus proximate a posterior leaflet of a mitral valve, the catheter having at a distal end thereof a flexible tubular extension for engaging an opening of the coronary sinus and entering the coronary sinus, a substantially rigid body for advancement through the delivery catheter and to be positioned in the coronary sinus proximate the posterior leaflet, and an elongated rod for advancing the body through the catheter and into position proximate the posterior leaflet.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation, by applying a force to the wall of the coronary sinus so as to force the posterior leaflet anteriorly and thereby reduce mitral regurgitation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation. The apparatus is inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to straighten the natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and reduce mitral regurgitation.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for providing access to a functioning vascular system of a patient, the apparatus comprising: a main body having sidewalls defining an interior region and an exterior region, a bottom end and a top end; a base being formed at the bottom end of the main body, securing means being configured on the base so as to allow attachment and formation of a seal between the base and the functioning vascular system of the patient, and the base being configurable to provide a passageway from the interior region of the main body to the functioning vascular system of the patient; and a cover being formed at the top end of the main body, wherein the cover provides a barrier between the interior region and the exterior region at the top end of the main body.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for filtering and entrapping debris from the vascular system of a patient.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for deploying an aortic valve prosthesis. This valve prosthesis may include any of the known aortic valves including, but not limited to, stented and unstented bioprosthetic valves, stented mechanical valves, and expandable or self-expanding valves, whether biological or artificial. The method involves the steps of: making a first opening leading to the left atrium; passing a valve prosthesis through the opening and into a cardiac chamber of the left side of the heart using a first manipulation instrument; making a second opening in the arterial system and advancing one end of a second manipulation instrument through the arterial opening and into the aforementioned cardiac chamber; securing the second manipulation instrument to the valve prosthesis; and using the second manipulation instrument to retract at least some portion of the valve prosthesis out of the aforementioned cardiac chamber.