Abstract: A device may include a frame including an inflow end and an outflow end. The frame defines a lumen between the inflow end and the outflow end. A device may include a first expandable member coupled to at least one portion of an internal surface of the frame and including a first inflation port. The first expandable member defines a first volume configured to receive an inflation fluid therein through the first inflation port. The first expandable member is configured to be reversibly inflatable to a first plurality of inflation states to partially or fully occlude the lumen. The devices described herein may be used to alleviate symptoms from congestive heart failure or chronic kidney disease.

Abstract: A method for assisting a heart ventricle can comprise providing a longitudinally expandable member that is reversibly expandable along a longitudinal dimension, wherein the longitudinally expandable member can include adjacent abutting portions meeting at respective bends that form acute angles along the longitudinal dimension. The method can include securing a first end portion of the longitudinally expandable member to a first wall portion of the heart ventricle via a first anchor engagement feature associated with the first end portion. The method can include securing a second end portion of the longitudinally expandable member to a second wall portion of the heart ventricle via a second anchor engagement feature associated with the second end portion, the plurality of bends between the first and second end portions allowing augmenting expansion of the heart ventricle using spring force of the longitudinally expandable member to thereby improve heart function.

Abstract: Systems and devices for incising tissue are provided. A system can comprise a catheter having a proximal-distal axis extending from a distal end of the catheter. The catheter includes an indentation adjacent to the distal end of the catheter, a vacuum system having one or more vacuum apertures situated within the indentation, where the vacuum apertures are connectable to a vacuum source for providing a vacuum to pull tissue into the indentation, and means for incising tissue connected adjacent to the distal end of the catheter and slidable relative to the indentation, whereby tissue located in the indentation can be incised by sliding the means for incising relative to the indentation while the vacuum system is activated.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for modulating blood flow through a blood vessel. Devices may include one or more implantable devices comprising an expandable frame comprising a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough; a membrane comprising an inflow end and an outflow end, wherein the inflow end is at least partially installed within the distal end of the expandable frame; an actuator coupled to a control wire, the control wire being coupled to a portion of the membrane; a first magnet configured to induce rotation of the actuator to actuate the control wire to activate application of tension to the control wire and cause the membrane to radially collapse at the outflow end; and a second magnet configured to generate a changing magnetic field pole direction to cause rotation of the first magnet to cause the membrane to radially expand at the outflow end.

Abstract: A flow restrictor for a blood vessel can include a frame positionable within a blood vessel, and a leaflet or flap comprising an inflow end and an outflow end. The inflow end of the leaflet or flap can be configured to move (optionally using a control element) in response to a first increase in a blood pressure within the blood vessel, and in response to the blood pressure being within a first blood pressure range. The flow restrictor can be further configured to be a bi-modal flow restrictor, wherein the leaflet or flap can be configured to collapse or prolapse in response to the blood pressure being within a second blood pressure range. In some cases, the bi-modal flow restrictor can include an inner valve configured to move with respect to the frame in response to the blood pressure being within the second blood pressure range.

Abstract: A device may include a control element coupled to a valve disposed in an outer frame. The control element is configured to manipulate the valve between an unrestricted blood flow state and a restricted blood flow state. A device may include an actuation device including a linear actuator coupled to a control element of an implantable device, and a first magnet configured to induce rotation of the linear actuator. A control device communicatively coupled to the linear actuator includes a second magnet configured to generate a changing magnetic field pole direction to cause rotation of the first magnet either to tension the control element to position a valve of the implantable device in a restricted blood flow state or to release tension in the control element to position the valve in an unrestricted blood flow state.

Abstract: A system for regulating blood flow through a blood vessel of a heart includes a valve and a controller. The valve includes an outer frame and two or more leaflets and is sized for placement at least partially within the blood vessel. The two or more leaflets are sized to overlap or contact each other in an expanded state. The controller is disposed outside the heart and transmits signals to the valve.

Abstract: A medical device includes an incision device operably coupled to a distal end of an elongate catheter. The incision device includes an incision channel, and a retractable cutting apparatus disposed within the incision channel. The retractable cutting apparatus includes a first cutting apparatus link that is rotatably fixed proximate to a distal end of the incision channel and a second cutting apparatus link that is attached to the first link proximal end of the first cutting apparatus link. The first cutting apparatus preferably includes a first cutting surface proximate to the first link proximal end of the first cutting apparatus link and the second cutting apparatus link includes a second cutting surface. The retractable cutting apparatus also includes a guide member coupled to cause the retractable cutting apparatus to move between a retracted position and a deployed position.

Abstract: A method of infusing a solution to a target site in a patient is described. In one application, the method may be used for infusing a solution into a kidney. A cannula catheter includes a catheter shaft, the catheter shaft having a first lumen extending from a proximal end of the catheter shaft to a side opening along a distal portion. A cannula shaft of an infusion cannula can be pre-loaded within the first lumen. The method may include advancing the cannula shaft and the catheter shaft along a guidewire. The method can further include withdrawing the guidewire and advancing the cannula shaft relative to the catheter shaft for advancing a distal end of the cannula shaft through the side opening, thereby facilitating infusion of a solution from the cannula shaft to the target site.

Abstract: Methods of improving a heart function in a heart of a subject having heart dysfunction are described. An exemplary embodiment includes accessing a pericardial cavity of the heart and advancing a cutting device within the pericardial cavity to a first incision point. At least a parietal layer of a pericardium of the heart is then pierced. A cutting device is placed against the parietal layer and retracted along a selected cut path so as to create a first incision having a selected length in at least the parietal layer to reduce pressure exerted on the heart by the pericardium. The above operations are repeated to create one or more additional incisions along respective additional cut paths.

Abstract: A medical device for creating elongated incisions within a pericardium is provided. The medical device includes an incision device operably coupled to a distal end of a catheter. The incision device includes an incision channel defined along the incision device. The medical device further includes a retractable cutting apparatus disposed within the incision channel. The retractable cutting apparatus includes a blade structured to move between a retracted position and a deployed position. In an instance in which the blade is in the retracted position, the blade is disposed within the incision channel. In an instance in which the blade is in the deployed position, the blade at least partially protrudes from the incision channel. The medical device further includes a cutting apparatus actuation mechanism structured to move the blade between the retracted position and the deployed position within a human body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical device comprising an incision assembly coupled to a catheter and an incision opening defined along the incision assembly. A retractable cutting apparatus is disposed within the incision opening and comprises a first incision member comprising at least one first cutting surface and defining a first member proximal end rotatably fixed proximate to a distal end of the incision opening and the at least one cutting surface is located on a bottom edge of the first incision member. A second incision member comprises at least one second cutting surface and defines a second member distal end attached to the first incision member at a connection point between a first member distal end and the first member proximal end of the first incision member, and wherein the at least one second cutting surface is located on a bottom edge of the second incision member.

Abstract: A shunt device comprises a first shunt portion configured to maintain a blood flow pathway between a first blood vessel and a second blood vessel, a first proximal flange configured to anchor the first shunt portion in place and configured for placement within the first blood vessel, and a first distal flange configured to anchor the first shunt portion in place. The first shunt portion is situated at least partially between the first proximal flange and the first distal flange.

Abstract: According to certain aspects, an implant device comprises an outer member configured to position the implant device within one or more pulmonary vessels. The implant device also comprises an inner member comprising one or more blades configured to modify one or more of forward waves or backward waves within the one or more pulmonary vessels to reduce interference between the forward waves and the backward waves during systole, the one or more blades having a shape or surface that directs a portion of the forward waves to a region of the one or more pulmonary vessels.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical apparatus includes an end effector; and a handle operationally connected to the end effector, the handle including a trigger and a mode button; where the mode button is first in a neutral position in which actuation of the trigger causes the end effector to move to a clamped configuration; and where the mode button is movable laterally to a second position in which actuation of the trigger causes the end effector to deploy staples.

Abstract: One example of a surgical apparatus may include at least one resorbable feeder belt, and a plurality of staples fixed to that feeder belt. Another example of a surgical apparatus may include at least one feeder belt and at least one resorbable carrier detachably connected to a corresponding feeder belt, where the carrier includes a plurality of staples attached to it.