Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive electrodes are formed on the endotracheal tube. The conductive electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least wireless sensor is formed on the endotracheal tube, and is configured to wirelessly transmit information to a processing apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive electrodes are formed on the endotracheal tube. The conductive electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least wireless sensor is formed on the endotracheal tube, and is configured to wirelessly transmit information to a processing apparatus.

Abstract: A quick-connect heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The heart valve includes a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable frame, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A small number of guide sutures may be provided for aortic valve orientation. The prosthetic valve may be a commercially available valve with a sewing ring with the frame attached thereto. The frame may expand from a conical deployment shape to a conical expanded shape, and may include web-like struts connected between axially-extending posts. A system and method for deployment includes an integrated handle shaft and balloon catheter. A valve holder is stored with the heart valve and the handle shaft easily attaches thereto to improve valve preparation steps.

Abstract: Embodiments of a prosthetic heart valve comprise an annular main body, an atrial cap extending radially outwardly from the atrial end of the main body, and a plurality of ventricular anchors extending outwardly from the ventricular end of the main body. Each ventricular anchor can have a proximal end portion connected to the ventricular end, an intermediate portion extending away from the atrial end and then back toward the atrial so as to define a first bend, and a free distal end portion that extends from the intermediate portion. The distal end portion can comprise a first section, a second section, and a second bend between the first and second sections, the first section extending from the intermediate portion in a direction toward the atrial end and radially away from the main body.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive electrodes are formed on the endotracheal tube. The conductive electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least wireless sensor is formed on the endotracheal tube, and is configured to wirelessly transmit information to a processing apparatus.

Abstract: A quick-connect heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The heart valve includes a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable frame, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A small number of guide sutures may be provided for aortic valve orientation. The prosthetic valve may be a commercially available valve with a sewing ring with the frame attached thereto. The frame may expand from a conical deployment shape to a conical expanded shape, and may include web-like struts connected between axially-extending posts. A system and method for deployment includes an integrated handle shaft and balloon catheter. A valve holder is stored with the heart valve and the handle shaft easily attaches thereto to improve valve preparation steps.

Abstract: Embodiments of a prosthetic heart valve comprise an annular main body, an atrial cap extending radially outwardly from the atrial end of the main body, and a plurality of ventricular anchors extending outwardly from the ventricular end of the main body. Each ventricular anchor can have a proximal end portion connected to the ventricular end, an intermediate portion extending away from the atrial end and then back toward the atrial so as to define a first bend, and a free distal end portion that extends from the intermediate portion. The distal end portion can comprise a first section, a second section, and a second bend between the first and second sections, the first section extending from the intermediate portion in a direction toward the atrial end and radially away from the main body.

Abstract: A prosthetic remodeling annuloplasty ring for use in tricuspid or mitral valve repairs to provide support after annuloplasty surgery. The annuloplasty ring includes a relatively rigid core extending around an axis that is discontinuous to define two free ends. A suture-permeable interface surrounding the core includes floppy regions adjacent both free ends of the core. Sutures are used to attach the annuloplasty ring to the annulus, including at least one suture through each of the floppy regions to secure the free ends of the ring and minimize the risk of ring dehiscence, or pull through of the sutures through the annulus tissue. The floppy regions may project from each free end into the gap toward each other, be radially enlarged such as paddle-like extensions, or may comprise outwardly lateral extensions at the free ends of the core.

Abstract: This application relates to methods, systems, and apparatus for replacing native heart valves with prosthetic heart valves and treating valvular insufficiency. In a representative embodiment, a support frame configured to be implanted in a heart valve comprises a main body formed by formed by a plurality of inner members forming an inner clover and a plurality of outer members forming an outer clover. The support frame can include gaps located between inner members of the plurality of inner members and outer members of the plurality of outer members. The inner clover can be radially inside the outer clover, and the outer clover can have larger dimensions than the inner clover. The support frames herein can be radially expandable and collapsible.

Abstract: Methods of quickly and easily implanting a quick-connect heart valve prosthesis during a surgical procedure are provided. The heart valve may include a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable frame, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A system and method for deployment includes an integrated handle shaft and balloon catheter. A safety member disposed between the balloon catheter and handle shaft prevents premature catheter advancement prior to heart valve placement at the annulus, and also may prevent premature balloon inflation prior to full catheter advancement.

Abstract: A prosthetic remodeling annuloplasty ring for use in tricuspid or mitral valve repairs to provide support after annuloplasty surgery. The annuloplasty ring includes a relatively rigid core extending around an axis that is discontinuous to define two free ends. A suture-permeable interface surrounding the core includes floppy regions adjacent both free ends of the core. Sutures are used to attach the annuloplasty ring to the annulus, including at least one suture through each of the floppy regions to secure the free ends of the ring and minimize the risk of ring dehiscence, or pull through of the sutures through the annulus tissue. The floppy regions may project from each free end into the gap toward each other, be radially enlarged such as paddle-like extensions, or may comprise outwardly lateral extensions at the free ends of the core.

Abstract: This application relates to methods, systems, and apparatus for replacing native heart valves with prosthetic heart valves and treating valvular insufficiency. In a representative embodiment, a support frame configured to be implanted in a heart valve comprises an annular main body formed by a plurality of angled struts, the main body including a plurality of peaks formed by the intersection of respective adjacent struts. The support frame further comprises one or more leaflet-engaging mechanisms configured to engage leaflets of the heart valve. The support frame can be radially expandable and collapsible.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive electrodes are formed on the endotracheal tube. The conductive electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least wireless sensor is formed on the endotracheal tube, and is configured to wirelessly transmit information to a processing apparatus.

Abstract: This application relates to methods, systems, and apparatus for replacing native heart valves with prosthetic heart valves and treating valvular insufficiency. In a representative embodiment, a support frame configured to be implanted in a heart valve comprises a main body formed by formed by a plurality of inner members forming an inner clover and a plurality of outer members forming an outer clover. The support frame can include gaps located between inner members of the plurality of inner members and outer members of the plurality of outer members. The inner clover can be radially inside the outer clover, and the outer clover can have larger dimensions than the inner clover. The support frames herein can be radially expandable and collapsible.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive electrodes are formed on the endotracheal tube. The conductive electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least wireless sensor is formed on the endotracheal tube, and is configured to wirelessly transmit information to a processing apparatus.

Abstract: A quick-connect heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The heart valve includes a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable frame, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A small number of guide sutures may be provided for aortic valve orientation. The prosthetic valve may be a commercially available valve with a sewing ring with the frame attached thereto. The frame may expand from a conical deployment shape to a conical expanded shape, and may include web-like struts connected between axially-extending posts. A system and method for deployment includes an integrated handle shaft and balloon catheter. A valve holder is stored with the heart valve and the handle shaft easily attaches thereto to improve valve preparation steps.

Abstract: Embodiments of a prosthetic heart valve comprise an annular main body, an atrial cap extending radially outwardly from the atrial end of the main body, and a plurality of ventricular anchors extending outwardly from the ventricular end of the main body. Each ventricular anchor can have a proximal end portion connected to the ventricular end, an intermediate portion extending away from the atrial end and then back toward the atrial so as to define a first bend, and a free distal end portion that extends from the intermediate portion. The distal end portion can comprise a first section, a second section, and a second bend between the first and second sections, the first section extending from the intermediate portion in a direction toward the atrial end and radially away from the main body.

Abstract: A quick-connect heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The heart valve includes a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable frame, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A small number of guide sutures may be provided for aortic valve orientation. The prosthetic valve may be a commercially available valve with a sewing ring with the frame attached thereto. The frame may expand from a conical deployment shape to a conical expanded shape, and may include web-like struts connected between axially-extending posts. A system and method for deployment includes an integrated handle shaft and balloon catheter. A valve holder is stored with the heart valve and the handle shaft easily attaches thereto to improve valve preparation steps.

Abstract: According to one representative embodiment, a method of treating aortic insufficiency comprises delivering a support structure to a position around the leaflets of a native heart valve. The support structure comprises an annular body defining an interior and at least one projection extending radially inwardly from the annular body. An expandable prosthetic heart valve can be advanced into the native heart valve and into the interior of the annular body. The prosthetic heart valve can be expanded into contact with the leaflets of the native valve, thereby causing the leaflets of the native valve to be frictionally secured between an inner surface of the annular body and an outer surface of the prosthetic heart valve and causing the at least one projection and a portion of one of the leaflets contacted by the at least one projection to extend into an opening of the frame of the prosthetic valve.

Abstract: Embodiments of a prosthetic heart valve comprise an annular main body, an atrial cap extending radially outwardly from the atrial end of the main body, and a plurality of ventricular anchors extending outwardly from the ventricular end of the main body. Each ventricular anchor can have a proximal end portion connected to the ventricular end, an intermediate portion extending away from the atrial end and then back toward the atrial so as to define a first bend, and a free distal end portion that extends from the intermediate portion. The distal end portion can comprise a first section, a second section, and a second bend between the first and second sections, the first section extending from the intermediate portion in a direction toward the atrial end and radially away from the main body.