Abstract: Devices and methods for treatment of a failing heart by reducing the heart wall stress. The device can be one which reduces wall stress throughout the cardiac cycle or only a portion of the cardiac cycle.

Abstract: The various aspects of the invention pertain to devices and related methods for treating heart conditions, including, for example, dilatation, valve incompetencies, including mitral valve leakage, and other similar heart failure conditions. The devices and related methods of the present invention operate to assist in the apposition of heart valve leaflets to improve valve function. According to one aspect of the invention, a method improves the function of a valve of a heart by placing an elongate member transverse a heart chamber so that each end of the elongate member extends through a wall of the heart, and placing first and second anchoring members external the chamber. The first and second anchoring members are attached to first and second ends of the elongate member to fix the elongate member in a position across the chamber so as to reposition papillary muscles within the chamber.

Abstract: An external heart wall stress reduction apparatus is provided to create a heart wall shape change. The device is generally disposed to the exterior of a heart chamber to reshape the chamber into a lower stress configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for treatment of a failing heart by reducing the wall tension therein. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a tension member for drawing at least two walls of a heart chamber toward each other. Methods for placing the apparatus on the heart are also provided.

Abstract: A method for placing a splint assembly transverse a heart chamber includes providing an elongate member having a first end and a second end and a deployable heart-engaging assembly connected to at least the first end. The method includes advancing the elongate member through vasculature structure and into the heart chamber such that the first end of the elongate member extends through a first location of a wall surrounding the heart chamber and the second end extends through a second location of the heart chamber wall substantially opposite the first location. A deployable heart-engaging assembly is deployed such that it engages with a first exterior surface portion of the heart chamber wall adjacent the first location. The elongate member is secured with respect to the heart with a second heart-engaging assembly connected to the second end. The second heart-engaging assembly engages with a second exterior surface portion of the heart chamber wall adjacent the second location.

Abstract: A medical guidewire includes a distal end for entering and navigating in a lumen. The distal end comprises a core having a length for navigating the guidewire in the lumen. A formable distal tip is included at the distal end of the core, and a sleeve element substantially surrounds the core over less than a majority of the length of the core. The sleeve element is rotatable with respect to the core, and is offset proximally of the formable distal tip such that the formable distal tip is movable independently of the sleeve element. The sleeve element is positively coupled to the core such that the sleeve element and the core move substantially conjointly axially within the lumen. An improvement for improving navigability of a medical guidewire in a lumen is also provided. The improvement comprises a sleeve element separate from and disposed around the core. The sleeve element is rotatable with respect to the core. Multiple sleeve elements may be provided on a single core.