Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device for continuously determining the intra-arterial blood pressure in a finger of a hand, the measuring device comprises a base part and a cuff part. A light source for near-infrared light and a photodetector are provided for the finger. The light sources and the photodetectors are connected to an associated optical emission surface or optical collector surface via a respective so-called light pipe for coupling emitted light into the finger tissue or decoupling non-absorbed light from the finger tissue. The cuff-side and base-part-side sections of the light pipes are connected to one another via separable optical contact points at the interface between the cuff part and the base part. On the base-part side, a cover glass closes flush with the housing of the base part and is attached to the contact points.

Abstract: A bioerodible endoprosthesis includes a bioerodible magnesium alloy. The bioerodible magnesium alloy has magnesium and one or more additional alloying elements, including aluminum. The alloy has a microstructure comprising equiaxed Mg-rich solid solution phase grains having an average grain diameter of less than or equal to 5 microns and continuous or discontinuous second-phase precipitates in grain boundaries between the Mg-rich solid solution-phase grains, the second-phase precipitates having an average longest dimension of 0.5 micron or less.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heart implant comprising a tubular attachment element (1) for attaching an inflatable membrane (2), particularly an inflatable membrane (2) being coaxially positioned around the tubular attachment element (1) and fixed to it, the tubular attachment element (1) at one of its ends being split into several strips (4), the strips (4) extending away from the tubular attachment element (1) and forming an expandable cage (C), particularly for fixing the heart implant to the atrium of the heart by surface contact between an exterior surface of the expandable cage (C) and an interior atrium surface, each one of the strips (4) being split into two branches (4a, 4b, 4a?, 4b?, . . . ), each respective branch (4a) being merged into a new strip (5) together with another respective branch (4b?) of a neighboring strip (4) wherein such splitting and merging is performed one after the other at least three times and the number of strips (7) being formed of the last merged branches (6a, 6b, . . .

Abstract: A medical device for reducing the volume of a left atrial appendage (LAA) may include an elongate shaft having a distal portion, and a volume-reducing means expandable from a collapsed to an expanded state, the volume-reducing means being releasably attached to the distal portion. The volume-reducing means may include an actuatable frame and an impermeable covering disposed over the frame. The volume-reducing means may be sized to fit within the LAA in the expanded state while maintaining an open fluid flow path from a distal region through the ostium of the LAA. A medical device may include a second volume-reducing means to be placed within and substantially occlude a distalmost region of the LAA. A method may include inserting a volume-reducing means into the LAA, expanding the volume-reducing means, and positioning the volume-reducing means such that an open fluid flow path is maintained through an entire cycle of the heart.

Abstract: An implantable device for improving or remedying valvular incompetence, comprising a sealing body and at least one anchoring element (2) fastened thereto, by means of which the sealing body is able to be fastened in the heart, preferably in the atrium of the heart, wherein the sealing body comprises at least one cavity (6), which is also able to be filled with a fluid after implanting the sealing body and preferably not able to be emptied independently, and wherein, furthermore preferably, the sealing body remains expanded with constant volume during the cardiac phases as a result of the filling, characterized in that a plurality of cavities (6) are disposed about a main body (1) of the sealing body lying in the direction of longitudinal extent of the sealing body, or a single cavity (6) surrounds a main body (1) of the sealing body lying in the direction of longitudinal extent of the sealing body, wherein the main body (1) is embodied as a tube which is able to be bent out of the linear extent thereof and in

Abstract: The invention relates to a heart implant comprising a tubular attachment element (1) for attaching an inflatable membrane (2), particularly an inflatable membrane (2) being coaxially positioned around the tubular attachment element (1) and fixed to it, the tubular attachment element (1) at one of its ends being split into several strips (4), the strips (4) extending away from the tubular attachment element (1) and forming an expandable cage (C), particularly for fixing the heart implant to the atrium of the heart by surface contact between an exterior surface of the expandable cage (C) and an interior atrium surface, each one of the strips (4) being split into two branches (4a, 4b, 4a?, 4b?, . . . ), each respective branch (4a) being merged into a new strip (5) together with another respective branch (4b?) of a neighboring strip (4) wherein such splitting and merging is performed one after the other at least three times and the number of strips (7) being formed of the last merged branches (6a, 6b, . . .

Abstract: An implantable device for improving or remedying valvular incompetence, comprising a sealing body and at least one anchoring element (2) fastened thereto, by means of which the sealing body is able to be fastened in the heart, preferably in the atrium of the heart, wherein the sealing body comprises at least one cavity (6), which is also able to be filled with a fluid after implanting the sealing body and preferably not able to be emptied independently, and wherein, furthermore preferably, the sealing body remains expanded with constant volume during the cardiac phases as a result of the filling, characterized in that a plurality of cavities (6) are disposed about a main body (1) of the sealing body lying in the direction of longitudinal extent of the sealing body, or a single cavity (6) surrounds a main body (1) of the sealing body lying in the direction of longitudinal extent of the sealing body, wherein the main body (1) is embodied as a tube which is able to be bent out of the linear extent thereof and in

Abstract: The invention relates to an implantable device for improving or treating a heart valve insufficiency, comprising a closure body (1) and at least one anchoring element fastened thereto, by means of which the closure body (1) can be fastened in the heart, preferably in the atrium of the heart, in which the anchoring element comprises a plurality of contact strips (2) extending between the closure body (1) and a shared connecting element (3) which is spaced from the closure body (1), wherein, due to a shape change of the contact strips (2), the connecting element (3) can be brought into a first and a second position each spaced from the closure body, wherein, in the first position, the connecting element (3) is spaced farther apart from the closure body (1) than in the second position, and in the second position, the connecting element (3) is arranged between the contact strips (2).

Abstract: A system for inserting an implant at an implantation site has a tubular catheter through which the implant to be installed is transported in a longitudinal travel direction to the implantation site. A ring is spaced forward in the direction to the implantation site from the implant and is longitudinally coupled to the implant. A guide wire in the tubular catheter also can pass through the ring. A push tube in the tubular catheter the guide wire is slidable on the guide wire longitudinally forward toward the implantation site and has a front end closer to the implantation site and for which the ring forms an impenetrable stop.

Abstract: Described is an apparatus for locally monitoring nerve activity that may be incorporated into a nerve ablation catheter. Such a catheter is equipped with magnetic sensing for both identifying nerves and assessing the success of the ablation. The catheter is also equipped with an ablation instrument for both stimulating and destroying nerve tissue.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a lead body having a distal end and a proximal end, a lumen and at least one lead wire extending through the lumen. The lead wire has an outer surface and a polymeric coating on at least a portion of the outer surface of the lead wire. The coating includes a first structure having a first end proximate the outer surface of the lead wire and a second end opposite the first end. The second end is movable relative to the first end and relative to the lead wire.

Abstract: A medical device includes a tubular body having a distal end and a proximal end, a lumen extending through the tubular body from the distal end to the proximal end, a wire extending through the lumen from the distal end to the proximal end, and a polymeric coating. The wire has an outer surface. The polymeric coating is on at least a portion of the outer surface of the wire. The coating comprises a bulk material and a plurality of flexible microstructures disposed on the bulk material. The microstructures extend outwardly from a surface of the polymeric coating.

Abstract: Provided are devices, systems and methods of selectively controlling air flow into one or more section of a patient's lungs. In particular, the devices may be valve devices having an inner lumen configured to transition between a first diameter and a second diameter smaller than the first diameter to control the airflow through the valve.

Abstract: Provided are devices, systems and methods of selectively controlling air flow into one or more section of a patient's lungs. In particular, the devices may be valve devices having an inner lumen configured to transition between a first diameter and a second diameter smaller than the first diameter to control the airflow through the valve.

Abstract: Apparatuses for identifying nerve tissue and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example apparatus may include an elongate shaft having a distal region configured to be percutaneously deployed within a patient. An active imaging structure may be disposed on the distal region. The active imaging structure may be configured to remotely image nerve tissue by exciting a signal in nerve tissue from a percutaneous location and receiving the signal from a percutaneous location. The active imaging structure may include one or more probes.

Abstract: A bioerodible endoprosthesis includes a bioerodible magnesium alloy. The bioerodible magnesium alloy includes magnesium, between 7 and 8 weight percent aluminum, between 0.4 and 0.8 weight percent zinc, and between 0.05 and 0.8 weight percent manganese.

Abstract: A medical device for reducing the volume of a left atrial appendage (LAA) may include an elongate shaft having a distal portion, and a volume-reducing means expandable from a collapsed to an expanded state, the volume-reducing means being releasably attached to the distal portion. The volume-reducing means may include an actuatable frame and an impermeable covering disposed over the frame. The volume-reducing means may be sized to fit within the LAA in the expanded state while maintaining an open fluid flow path from a distal region through the ostium of the LAA. A medical device may include a second volume-reducing means to be placed within and substantially occlude a distalmost region of the LAA. A method may include inserting a volume-reducing means into the LAA, expanding the volume-reducing means, and positioning the volume-reducing means such that an open fluid flow path is maintained through an entire cycle of the heart.

Abstract: A bioerodible endoprosthesis includes a bioerodible magnesium alloy. The bioerodible magnesium alloy has a microstructure including equiaxed Mg-rich solid solution-phase grains having an average grain diameter of less than or equal to 5 microns and second-phase precipitates in grain boundaries between the equiaxed Mg-rich solid solution-phase grains. The beta-phase precipitates have an average longest dimension of 0.5 micron or less. The microstructure can be produced by one or more equal-channel high-strain processes.

Abstract: A bioerodible endoprosthesis includes a bioerodible magnesium alloy. The bioerodible magnesium alloy has a microstructure including equiaxed Mg-rich solid solution-phase grains having an average grain diameter of less than or equal to 5 microns and second-phase precipitates in grain boundaries between the equiaxed Mg-rich solid solution-phase grains. The beta-phase precipitates have an average longest dimension of 0.5 micron or less. The microstructure can be produced by one or more equal-channel high-strain processes.

Abstract: Apparatuses for identifying nerve tissue and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example apparatus may include an elongate shaft having a distal region configured to be percutaneously deployed within a patient. An active imaging structure may be disposed on the distal region. The active imaging structure may be configured to remotely image nerve tissue by exciting a signal in nerve tissue from a percutaneous location and receiving the signal from a percutaneous location. The active imaging structure may include one or more probes.