Abstract: A cardiac valve with a support frame having a first end member and a second end member opposing the first end member in a substantially fixed distance relationship, and a cover extending over the support frame to allow for unidirectional flow of a liquid through the valve.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for percutaneous valve replacement and/or augmentation are provided. The apparatus includes a valve having a valve frame, a valve leaflet coupled to the valve frame, and a leaflet transition member coupled to the valve leaflet. The valve leaflet and leaflet transition member can transition from a first position where the valve leaflet and leaflet frame are at least partially outside a lumen of the valve frame to a second position where the valve leaflet and the leaflet transition member are within the lumen of the valve frame.

Abstract: A venous valve with a frame and a cover on the frame for unidirectional flow of a liquid through the valve.

Abstract: A venous valve with a frame and a cover on the frame for unidirectional flow of a liquid through the valve.

Abstract: A catheter including an elongate body, a first cutting head and a second cutting head both having a blade, where the blades moves relative each other to provide a shearing action for cardiac tissue. The catheter can further include a stent positioned over an inflatable balloon, where the inflatable balloon can deploy the expandable stent over sheared cardiac tissue. The catheter can further be included in a system having a sheath, where at least a part of the catheter resides in the lumen of the sheath. The sheath further includes a cardiac valve and an expandable filter. The sheath can move relative the cardiac valve and the expandable filter to deploy the cardiac valve and at least a portion of the expandable filter proximal the inflatable balloon and the expandable stent.

Abstract: Some embodiments of pacing systems employ wireless electrode assemblies to provide pacing therapy. The wireless electrode assemblies may wirelessly receive energy via an inductive coupling so as to provide electrical stimulation to the surrounding heart tissue. In certain embodiments, the wireless electrode assembly may be pivotable so that the proximal end of the wireless electrode assembly may be shifted to a position against the heart wall after the distal end has been secured to the heart wall.

Abstract: A closure device closes an opening in a body cavity. The closure device includes a closure member that has an external, tissue-engaging surface formed with tissue engaging surface irregularities. An elongate member is disconnectably connected to the closure member.

Abstract: A perfusion guidewire is disclosed. The perfusion guidewire includes an elongate core member and a collapsible sheath tightly wrapped around at least the distal portion of the elongate core member such that the wrapped sheath is folded upon itself, forming a plurality of layers of material in a radial direction from the longitudinal axis of the elongate core member. The wrapped sheath is tightly wrapped about the elongate core member such that the wrapped sheath and elongate core member travel as a unit during navigation within the blood vessel of the body of a patient. The wrapped sheath is expandable to a larger diameter in order to allow a perfusate to pass through the lumen of the sheath.

Abstract: Disclosed is a combination perfusion and occlusion device that can have a perfusion member, an occlusive member and an elongate member. The perfusion member can be an elongate perfusion member that can have a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the collapsed configuration, the perfusion member can be disposed around the elongate member. In the expanded configuration, the perfusion member can define a perfusion lumen. The occlusive member can have a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The occlusive member in the collapsed configuration can have a low profile that can facilitate insertion of the occlusive member in a body lumen. In the expanded configuration the occlusive member can be a structure that restricts the flow of fluids through a body vessel, for example a filter or another structure that restricts the flow of fluids. The occlusive member can be disposed on the elongate member, for example on a distal portion of the elongate member.

Abstract: A venous valve with a frame and a cover on the frame for unidirectional flow of a liquid through the valve.

Abstract: A cardiac valve with a support frame having a first end member and a second end member opposing the first end member in a substantially fixed distance relationship, and a cover extending over the support frame to allow for unidirectional flow of a liquid through the valve.

Abstract: A cardiac valve with a support frame having a first end member and a second end member opposing the first end member in a substantially fixed distance relationship, and a cover extending over the support frame to allow for unidirectional flow of a liquid through the valve.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided to treat diseased cardiac valves. The device includes a percutaneous heart valve having an expandable valve frame including valve frame members, a valve leaflet coupled to the valve frame, and an expandable stent anchoring frame coupled to the valve frame including stent frame members defining a first portion and a second portion having greater flexibility than the first portion, where the first portion and the valve frame define a length, and where the stent frame members and the valve frame members along the length provide a contiguous surface over which a delivery device can repeatedly slide over the length in its entirety in two longitudinal directions when the first portion and the valve frame are in a partially expanded state during delivery from the delivery device.

Abstract: Various configurations of systems that employ leadless electrodes to provide pacing therapy are provided. In one example, a system that provides multiple sites for pacing of myocardium of a heart includes wireless pacing electrodes that are implantable at sites proximate the myocardium using a percutaneous, transluminal, catheter delivery system. Each of the electrodes contains a source of electrical energy for pacing the myocardium and is adapted to receive electromagnetic energy from a source outside the myocardium. The system also includes a source adapted for placement outside the myocardium and that uses locally measured electrocardiograms to synchronize pacing of the heart by sending electromagnetic commands to the electrodes to pace the myocardium surrounding the electrodes. Also disclosed is various configurations of such systems, wireless electrode assemblies, and delivery catheters for delivering and implanting the electrode assemblies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simplifying carotid artery stenting and/or angioplasty provides for the use of a filter wire system, which employs a sliding sheath. The sheath has an undeployed state and a deployed state, wherein in the undeployed state a distal region of the sheath is disposed about an embolic protection filter and a proximal region extends proximal from the distal region. At least a portion of the proximal region has a first end region, a second end region and a length there between. The first end region is proximal of the second end region. The at least a portion of the proximal region has a graduated stiffness along the length, wherein the stiffness is greatest at the first end region and is least at the second end region.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for use in a vascular system. The apparatus include a circulatory valve having a valve frame in which frame members define frame cells. Frame cells include joints in opposing relationship, where the joints transition from a first stable equilibrium state through an unstable equilibrium state to a second stable equilibrium state as the joints are drawn towards each other.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for closing an arteriotomy site is disclosed. The apparatus includes inner and outer frames adapted to sandwich a blood vessel wall therebetween. The inner and outer frames may be manufactured from memory metals such that they can be compressed during the insertion into the tissue tract proximate the arteriotomy site, and then deployed into an expanded configuration larger than the dimensions of the arteriotomy opening itself. A universal joint connects the inner and outer frames to ensure proper pivoting therebetween. In addition, polymeric coverings can be provided on the inner and outer frames to ensure closure, while a collagen plug can also be provided between inner and outer frames to facilitate closure as well.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for providing an indication as to the relative position of a vessel or artery opening thereby facilitating the choice of which suturing or plugging technique to thereafter use. A disclosed device includes an outer tube and a collapsible foot slidably disposed within a distal end of the outer tube. The foot is connected to a shaft that passes through the tube and exits a proximal end thereof. The device may further include one or more threaded suture needles, a biodegradable plug or other wound closing device that is connected to another shaft. The collapsed or folded foot is pushed distally out of the tube and through the opening in the vessel whereupon the foot expands. Pulling the expanded foot in the proximal direction provides an indication as to the orientation of the opening in the vessel, which assists in determining the type of closing procedure to be carried out.

Abstract: A venovenous expandable dialysis apparatus includes a blood feeding needle component configured to introduce blood at a position of a first peripheral vein and a blood withdrawal needle component configured to withdraw blood at another position from a second peripheral vein located, where the first position is located away from the second position. The expandable dialysis apparatus further includes a guide wire having a central axis, an expanding sheath configured circumferentially around the guide wire to form an annular lumen between a distal blood withdrawal position and a proximal extracorporeal position; and a needle disposed around the expandable sheath.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for closing an arteriotomy site are disclosed. The apparatus and method employ the use of a delivery sheath within which is provided an anchoring device formed of memory metal. The delivery sheath can be inserted through a tissue tract extending from an epidermal layer to the blood vessel wall, whereupon the anchoring device can be extended from the delivery sheath into the blood vessel itself The memory metal, once freed from the delivery sheath, obtains a non-linear or coiled configuration which can then be pulled back against the inner surface of the blood vessel to form a backstop. A biodegradable plug is then introduced into the tissue tract until it engages the backstop formed by the anchoring device thereby ensuring proper positioning of the biodegradable plug.