Abstract: A system is provided for anchoring a prosthetic valve to a native valve of a heart. The system includes a steerable catheter, a low friction sleeve, and an anchoring device. The steerable catheter has a first lumen with a distal opening in a distal portion. The low-friction sleeve is configured for delivery through the first lumen. The low-friction sleeve has a second lumen. The anchoring device is configured for delivery through the second lumen such that the low-friction sleeve fits around at least a portion of the anchoring device. The low-friction sleeve is configured to be removed from the anchoring device to expose an exterior surface of the anchoring device when the anchoring device is in position in the native valve.

Abstract: A system for bridging a gap between an article or a portion thereof and a target, and anchoring the article or its portion to the target, the system comprising a) an elongated delivery catheter having a distal end; b) and a bridging and anchoring construction, operable to selectably translate in a distal and a proximal direction relative to the distal end of the elongated delivery catheter, the bridging and anchoring construction slidably coupled to the elongated delivery catheter, wherein the bridging and anchoring construction is operable to 1) engage the target following the distal translation spanning the gap between the article or its portion and the target; 2) eliminating the gap following the proximal translation; and 3) anchoring the article or its portion to the target.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an annuloplasty device and delivery system for treating valvular regurgitation. The annuloplasty device (e.g., a transcatheter annuloplasty ring) may include a tube having anterior and posterior anchors that may transition from a constrained state within the tube to a deployed state in which anchors extend through windows of the tube into tissue at the native valve site. Each anchor may include valvular and atrial anchors as well as anchors having different shapes (e.g., a curved anchor and a non-curved anchor). The annuloplasty device may be delivered to the native valve site via a catheter and the annuloplasty device may be manipulated within the patient's heart using a delivery handle to selectively deploy anchors while closing the anterior-to-posterior distance of the valve to treat valvular regurgitation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an annuloplasty device and delivery system for treating valvular regurgitation. The annuloplasty device (e.g., a transcatheter annuloplasty ring) may include a tube having anterior and posterior anchors that may transition from a constrained state within the tube to a deployed state in which anchors extend through windows of the tube into tissue at the native valve site. Each anchor may include valvular and atrial anchors as well as anchors having different shapes (e.g., a curved anchor and a non-curved anchor). The annuloplasty device may be delivered to the native valve site via a catheter and the annuloplasty device may be manipulated within the patient's heart using a delivery handle to selectively deploy anchors while closing the anterior-to-posterior distance of the valve to treat valvular regurgitation.

Abstract: Systems and methods usable in delivering a docking device to a native valve of a patient's heart. A docking device can be connected to a pusher tool by a line, such as a suture. A member of the pusher tool can be rotatable to change the amount of the suture extending from the pusher tool. A locking mechanism can be used to fix or lock the pusher tool in position.

Abstract: Systems and methods usable in delivering a prosthetic implant to a patient's heart. A distal region of a delivery catheter can be positioned in an atrium of the heart and a distal tip can be positioned at or near a commissure of the native valve. The prosthetic implant can be located within the delivery catheter. A pusher tool can be advanced distally through the delivery catheter to push the docking device along within the delivery catheter. The docking device can be connected to the pusher tool by a line, such as a suture. A member of the pusher tool can be rotatable to change the amount of the suture extending from the pusher tool.

Abstract: Anchoring or docking devices configured to be positioned at a native valve of a human heart and to provide structural support for docking a prosthetic valve therein. The docking devices can have coiled structures that define an inner space in which the prosthetic valve can be held. The docking devices can have enlarged end regions with circular or non-circular shapes, for example, to facilitate implantation of the docking device or to better hold the docking device in position once deployed. The docking devices can be laser-cut tubes with locking wires to assist in better maintaining a shape of the docking device. The docking devices can include various features to promote friction, such as frictional cover layers. Such docking devices can have ends configured to more securely attach the cover layers to cores of the docking devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering a docking device configured to receive a prosthetic valve are disclosed. A system can include a delivery catheter and a pusher device disposed in the delivery catheter and a docking device comprising a plurality of turns when in a coiled shape and having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion opposite the proximal end portion, where a retrieval line extends through a central lumen of the pusher device and is coupled to the proximal end portion of the docking device. The docking device is configured to move between a straightened shape when the docking device is arranged within the delivery catheter and the coiled shape after the docking device is pushed out of the docking device by the pusher device.

Abstract: Prosthetic ring valve assemblies are disclosed. A prosthetic valve ring assembly includes an outer tube and a plurality of anchors. The outer tube includes a plurality of windows. The plurality of anchors are positioned inside the outer tube and about a perimeter of the outer tube. The plurality of anchors are configured to be emitted from the plurality of windows in order to anchor the prosthetic valve ring assembly to annulus tissue of a patient.

Abstract: A docking device for docking a prosthetic valve at a native valve of a heart can include a coil comprising a plurality of turns and having a proximal end and distal end. The docking device can further include a first covering disposed around and covering the coil from the distal end to the proximal end of the coil, and a second covering disposed over the first covering. A distal end and proximal end of the second covering are spaced away from a distal end and proximal end, respectively, of the first covering.

Abstract: Prosthetic ring valve assemblies are disclosed. A prosthetic valve ring assembly includes an outer tube and a plurality of anchors. The outer tube includes a plurality of windows. The plurality of anchors are positioned inside the outer tube and about a perimeter of the outer tube. The plurality of anchors are configured to be emitted from the plurality of windows in order to anchor the prosthetic valve ring assembly to annulus tissue of a patient.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a guard member for preventing prolapse, flail, or billow of at least one leaflet of a heart valve, and a pathology associated therewith. Specifically, the guard member is adapted, sized and configured to operably couple to the heart valve annulus and prevent a leaflet of the heart valve from extending cephalad to the heart valve's annular plane.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for aligning annuloplasty rings during surgical procedures and selectively engaging portions of the targeted annuli. Specifically, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for aligning an annuloplasty ring or a toroidal portion thereof with natural fiducials present at or near an annular target, and engaging the annulus at the points aligned with the natural fiducials.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods, systems, subsystems, and kits for aligning an annuloplasty ring or a toroidal portion thereof with a natural fiducial in an annular target.

Abstract: Systems and methods usable in delivering a docking device to a native valve of a patient's heart. A distal region of a delivery catheter can be positioned in an atrium of the heart and a distal tip can be positioned at or near a commissure of the native valve. The docking device can be located within the delivery catheter. A pusher, such as a pusher wire or tube, of a pusher tool can be advanced distally through the delivery catheter, wherein the pusher can push the docking device along within the delivery catheter. The docking device can be connected to the pusher tool by a line, such as a suture. A member of the pusher tool can be rotatable to change the amount of the suture extending from the pusher tool.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for aligning annuloplasty rings during surgical procedures and selectively engaging portions of the targeted annuli. Specifically, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for aligning an annuloplasty ring or a toroidal portion thereof with natural fiducials present at or near an annular target, and engaging the annulus at the points aligned with the natural fiducials.

Abstract: Systems and methods usable in delivering a docking device to a native valve of a patient's heart. A docking device can be connected to a pusher tool by a line, such as a suture. A member of the pusher tool can be rotatable to change the amount of the suture extending from the pusher tool.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to system and methods for preventing paravalvular leak (PVL) associated with a replacement of a structural cardiac valve. Specifically the disclosure relates to system and methods operable to prevent PVL by restricting the axial translation of a resilient prosthetic valve scaffold within a containing ring.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods, systems, subsystems, and kits for aligning an annuloplasty ring or a toroidal portion thereof with a natural fiducial in an annular target.

Abstract: Docking devices for docking a prosthetic valve at a native valve of a heart can include a coiled docking anchor and a retrieval suture. The docking device and retrieval suture can be configured for improved retention and retrieval of the docking device after deployment. The docking devices can have an end portion with a central axis. The retrieval suture can be connected to the end portion such that a line of force applied by applying tension to the retrieval suture is substantially aligned with the central axis.