Abstract: Devices and methods for providing localized pressure to a region of a patient's heart to improve heart functioning, including: (a) a jacket made of a flexible biocompatible material, the jacket having an open top end that is received around the heart and a bottom portion that is received around the apex of the heart; and (b) at least one inflatable bladder disposed on an interior surface of the jacket, the inflatable bladder having an inelastic outer surface positioned adjacent to the jacket and an elastic inner surface such that inflation of the bladder causes the bladder to deform substantially inwardly to exert localized pressure against a region of the heart.

Abstract: Described here are devices and methods for forming a fistula between two vessels. In some instances, the fistula may be formed between a proximal ulnar artery and a deep ulnar vein. The fistula may be formed using an electrode, and may be formed with a first catheter placed in a first blood vessel and a second catheter placed in a second blood vessel. In some instances, access to the proximal ulnar artery may be achieved through a brachial artery, and access to the deep ulnar vein may be achieved through a brachial vein.

Abstract: An assembly for providing localized pressure to a region of a patient's heart to improve heart functioning, including: (a) a jacket made of a flexible biocompatible material, the jacket having an open top end that is received around the heart and a bottom portion that is received around the apex of the heart; and (b) at least one inflatable bladder disposed on an interior surface of the jacket, the inflatable bladder having an inelastic outer surface positioned adjacent to the jacket and an elastic inner surface such that inflation of the bladder causes the bladder to deform substantially inwardly to exert localized pressure against a region of the heart.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing localized pressure to a region of a patient's heart to improve heart functioning, including: (a) a jacket made of a flexible biocompatible material, the jacket having an open top end that is received around the heart and a bottom portion that is received around the apex of the heart; and (b) at least one inflatable bladder disposed on an interior surface of the jacket, the inflatable bladder having an inelastic outer surface positioned adjacent to the jacket and an elastic inner surface such that inflation of the bladder causes the bladder to deform substantially inwardly to exert localized pressure against a region of the heart.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve in combination with a delivery assembly that includes a first elongate component that is movably disposed to a second elongate component. The delivery assembly has a temporary valve location relative to the delivery assembly to which the prosthetic heart valve can be releasably mounted in position and a spaced implantation location relative to the delivery assembly to which the prosthetic heart valve can also be releasably mounted in position. The prosthetic heart valve and delivery assembly combination is configurable with movement of the first elongate component relative to the second elongate component from a delivery state with the prosthetic heart valve mounted in the temporary location to an implantation state with the prosthetic heart valve repositioned from the temporary, location to the implantation location so that the prosthetic heart valve can subsequently be deployed from the implantation location.

Abstract: Apparatus for reconfiguring tissue, the apparatus comprising a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; at least one effector mechanism movably mounted to the distal end of the shaft, each effector mechanism comprising at least one gripping element for gripping tissue to that effector mechanism, the at least one effector mechanism being configured to capture the gripped tissue against said shaft, at least one actuating mechanism mounted to the proximal end of the shaft, and at least one connection mechanism connecting the at least one actuating mechanism to the at least one effector mechanism, whereby a user may utilize the at least one actuating mechanism to actuate the at least one effector mechanism so as to reconfigure tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided in one example embodiment and includes a body section having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an inner edge circumferentially arranged around at least a portion of an open area. The apparatus also includes a tool extending from the body section into the open area for holding a graft vessel. The lower surface of the body section opposes a receiving vessel when the tool is positioned to transfer the graft vessel to the receiving vessel, such that the graft vessel is axially accessible through the open area to be attached to the receiving vessel. In more specific embodiments, the body section has first and second opposing ends defining a gap sized to permit the vessel to pass through.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to catheters that can be placed in or around bodily conduits to occlude or widen a biological lumen without imparting significant trauma to the lumen. In certain embodiments, the invention particularly relates to the use of a polymer composition which can be made to gel upon insertion into said balloon or skirt. In certain embodiments, the inflating viscous polymer composition is a liquid at room temperature and a gel at mammalian physiological temperature. In certain embodiments, the inflating viscous polymer composition comprises an optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to catheters that can be placed in or around bodily conduits to occlude or widen a biological lumen without imparting significant trauma to the lumen. In certain embodiments, the invention particularly relates to the use of a polymer composition which can be made to gel upon insertion into said balloon or skirt. In certain embodiments, the inflating viscous polymer composition is a liquid at room temperature and a gel at mammalian physiological temperature. In certain embodiments, the inflating viscous polymer composition comprises an optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer.

Abstract: A method for inducing weight loss in a patient, the method comprising: intentionally occluding a blood vessel so as to create hypoperfusion in a gastrointestinal organ serviced by the blood vessel, whereby to interfere with normal gastrointestinal function and thereby induce weight loss in a patient.

Abstract: A device for clearing obstructions from a medical tube, such as a chest tube, is disclosed in various embodiments. The device features a clearance member in the form of a loop. The loop desirably has a diameter that substantially corresponds to the inner diameter of the medical tube. Also desirably, the loop presents a substantially unobstructed pathway therethrough for the flow of material from a location in the medical tube distal to the loop to a location in the medical tube proximal to the loop regardless whether the clearance member is being translated or is at rest in the medical tube. Methods of utilizing such a device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A delivery assembly for delivering a prosthetic heart valve can include a first elongate component and a second elongate component. The delivery assembly includes a temporary valve location to which the prosthetic heart valve can be releasably mounted and an implantation location to which the prosthetic heart valve can also be releasably mounted. The delivery assembly can move from a delivery state with the prosthetic heart valve mounted to the temporary location to an implantation state with the prosthetic heart valve repositioned from the temporary location to the implantation location. The prosthetic heart valve can subsequently be deployed from the implantation location. The position of the prosthetic heart valve relative to the first elongate component at the temporary location is different than a position of the prosthetic heart valve relative to the first elongate component at the implantation location.

Abstract: Described here are devices, systems and methods for forming a fistula between two blood vessels. Generally, the systems may comprise a first catheter which may comprise a fistula-forming element. The fistula-forming element may comprise one or more electrodes, mechanical cutting elements, laser sources, or combinations thereof, and may be used to assist in fistula formation. In some instances, a system may comprise a second catheter, which may comprise a fistula-forming element. One or more of the catheters may comprise one or more markers, magnetic alignment elements, and/or one shape-changing elements.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided in one example embodiment including a body section including inner and outer edges with the inner edge surrounding at least a portion of an open area. The body section further includes a lower surface extending between the inner and outer edges, and a handle adjacent to the lower surface. The apparatus also comprises a plurality of arms that include opposing tips and proximal ends received in the body section. The opposing tips define a tip spacing therebetween, and the arms are configured to extend and retract to decrease and increase, respectively, a dimension of the tip spacing. In more specific embodiments, the lower surface of the apparatus includes size markers, and each size marker corresponds to a dimension of the tip spacing when the handle is aligned with the size marker.

Abstract: A heart size measuring tool includes a tubular body, a flexible measuring cord having length indicia, a measuring cord support mechanism movable between retracted and extended states with respect to the body, and an actuating mechanism to move the measuring cord support mechanism. When in the retracted state the measuring cord support mechanism is positioned within the tubular body with the measuring cord in a collapsed position. When the measuring cord support mechanism is in the extended state the measuring cord extends around a portion of a heart to be measured. A scale on the body can be used in connection with the indicia on the measurement cord to provide a reading of the heart size.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides aortic valve prosthetic devices that are constructed in a non-axisymmetric shape, or are expandable to a non-axisymmetric shape for improved results in the repair of defective aortic valves. The devices can be surgically implanted, or they can be implanted percutaneously through an insertion catheter. The expandable devices can be self-expanding or expanded by an inflatable balloon to a non-axisymmetric cross-section geometry.

Abstract: The present invention is TAH system for auto-regulating blood flow and maintaining the asymmetric pressure balance in the mammalian cardiovascular system by decreasing the resistance in blood flow and minimizing the pressure gradients to exploit the in-flow pressure sensitivities of continuous flow pumps. The system further includes laminar flow generating manifolds connected to the atrium at one end and attached to pumps linked to the great vessels at the other, such that the in-let flow sensitivities of the pumps are maximized to auto-regulate blood flow, providing adequate pulmonary and systemic arterial flow to support normal metabolism and end-organ function and maintain the appropriate asymmetric physiologic pressure balance between the systemic and pulmonary systems of the mammalian cardiovascular system.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides aortic valve prosthetic devices that are constructed in an elliptical shape, or are expandable to an elliptical shape for improved results in the repair of defective aortic valves. The devices can be surgically implanted, or they can be implanted percutaneously through an insertion catheter. The expandable devices can be self-expanding or expanded by an inflatable balloon to an elliptical cross section geometry.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve in combination with a delivery assembly that includes a first elongate component that is movably disposed to a second elongate component. The delivery assembly has a temporary valve location relative to the delivery assembly to which the prosthetic heart valve can be releasably mounted in position and a spaced implantation location relative to the delivery assembly to which the prosthetic heart valve can also be releasably mounted in position. The prosthetic heart valve and delivery assembly combination is configurable with movement of the first elongate component relative to the second elongate component from a delivery state with the prosthetic heart valve mounted in the temporary location to an implantation state with the prosthetic heart valve repositioned from the temporary, location to the implantation location so that the prosthetic heart valve can subsequently be deployed from the implantation location.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to methods and kits for treating wounds, comprising the step of introducing into said wound a composition comprising at least one optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer, wherein said at least one optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer forms a gel in said wound, thereby temporarily occluding said wound. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method wherein a wound to a blood vessel or a segment of the GI tract is occluded, thereby preventing exsanguination and/or septicemia. In other embodiments, the inventive methods and kits described herein may be used to ameliorate (e.g., fill) temporarily a defect in a biological lumen, thereby strengthening said defect, preventing rupture of, or maintaining, improving or optimizing fluid flow through said lumen.