Abstract: A prosthetic apparatus includes a main body having a lumen and configured for placement within a native annulus of a native valve complex. The main body is radially compressible to a radially compressed state for delivery into the heart and self-expandable from the compressed state to a radially expanded state. The apparatus also includes at least one arm coupled to and disposed outside of the main body. The arm being coupled to the main body such that when the main body is compressed to the compressed state, a leaflet-receiving space between the arm and an outer surface of the main body increases to receive a native valve leaflet therebetween, and when the main body expands to the expanded state in the absence of any radial inward forces on the main body or the arm, the space decreases to capture the leaflet between the outer surface of the main body and the arm.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including a catheter (20) configured to be placed inside a blood vessel of a subject. A first impeller (28) is disposed on the catheter, and a second impeller (28) is disposed on the catheter, proximally to the first impeller. A support structure (160) is disposed upon the catheter such that a longitudinal center of the support structure is disposed between the first and second impellers, the support structure being configured to support an inner wall of the blood vessel in an open configuration in a region between the first and second impellers. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including identifying a subject as suffering from a condition selected from the group consisting of: cardiac dysfunction, congestive heart failure, reduced renal blood flow, increased renal vascular resistance, arterial hypertension, and kidney dysfunction. In response thereto, blood pressure within a renal vein of the subject is reduced, by placing a blood pump inside the subject's renal vein and activating the impeller to pump blood from the renal vein into the subject's vena cava. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A prosthetic apparatus for implantation at a native valve complex includes a main body configured for placement within the native valve, at least one downstream arm and at least one upstream arm, each coupled to and disposed outside of the main body. The main body includes a compressed state for delivery and an expanded state. In the expanded state, a space exists between the downstream arm and an outer surface of the main body to receive an edge of a native valve leaflet. A portion of the downstream arm is configured to extend behind the received native leaflet and engage a downstream surface of the native valve complex while the edge of the received native leaflet is not engaged by the downstream arm. The upstream arm is configured to engage an upstream surface of the native valve complex at a location opposite the portion of the downstream arm.

Abstract: A prosthesis is provided for implantation at a native semilunar valve of a native valve complex, the native valve complex having three semilunar sinuses and three native commissures. The prosthesis includes a valve prosthesis support, which comprises a support structure comprising exactly three engagement arms that meet one another at three respective junctures. The engagement arms are shaped so as define three peak complexes at the three respective junctures, and three trough complexes, each of which is between two of the peak complexes. Upon implantation of the prosthesis, each of the engagement arms is at least partially disposed within a respective one of the semilunar sinuses, such that each of the peak complexes is disposed distal to and in rotational alignment with a respective one of the native commissures, and each of the trough complexes is disposed at least partially within the respective one of the semilunar sinuses.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including inserting a catheter into a subject's body via a vein of the subject's groin. The catheter is advanced distally such that a distal end of the catheter is disposed inside the subject's renal vein. Respective stabilizing portions of the catheter stabilize the catheter by being in contact with inner walls of, respectively, an iliac vein of the subject, and a vena cava of the subject. Subsequently, a medical device is deployed inside the renal vein by retracting the distal end of the catheter, such that the distal end of the catheter is in a retracted state, in which the respective stabilizing portions of the catheter still stabilize the catheter by being in contact with the inner walls of, respectively, the subject's iliac vein and the subject's vena cava. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use with a mitral valve of a heart of a subject. The apparatus includes a P1-anchor, a P2-anchor, and a P3-anchor, that are anchored to tissue in a vicinity of, respectively, P1, P2 and P3 segments of a posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, a tether being fixedly coupled to the P2-anchor, and slidably coupled to the P1 and P3 anchors. A cardiac-site anchor anchors the tether to an anchoring location that is at a cardiac site that is anterior and inferior to the posterior leaflet. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including inserting a catheter into a subject's body via a vein of the subject's groin. The catheter is advanced distally such that a distal end of the catheter is disposed inside the subject's renal vein. Respective stabilizing portions of the catheter stabilize the catheter by being in contact with inner walls of, respectively, an iliac vein of the subject, and a vena cava of the subject. Subsequently, a medical device is deployed inside the renal vein by retracting the distal end of the catheter, such that the distal end of the catheter is in a retracted state, in which the respective stabilizing portions of the catheter still stabilize the catheter by being in contact with the inner walls of, respectively, the subject's iliac vein and the subject's vena cava. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use with a mitral valve of a heart of a subject. The apparatus includes a P1-anchor, a P2-anchor, and a P3-anchor, that are anchored to tissue in a vicinity of, respectively, P1, P2 and P3 segments of a posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, a tether being fixedly coupled to the P2-anchor, and slidably coupled to the P1 and P3 anchors. A cardiac-site anchor anchors the tether to an anchoring location that is at a cardiac site that is anterior and inferior to the posterior leaflet. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are described including identifying a subject as suffering from a condition that causes the subject to have elevated central venous pressure. In response thereto, a device is placed inside the subject's vena cava such that an upstream end of the device is placed at a location upstream of junctions of the vena cava with all of the subject's renal veins. The device defines a passage through the device, at least a portion of the passage converging in a direction from an upstream end of the device to downstream end of the device. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A catheter system configured to deploy a valve prosthesis can include a catheter tip at a distal end of the catheter system. The catheter tip can include a device holder releasably connected to and retaining the prosthesis. The catheter tip can also include a first housing portion that accommodates the first portion of the prosthesis, and a second housing portion that accommodates the second portion of the prosthesis. The first housing portion and the second housing portion are configured to move relative to one another such that the catheter system sequentially releases the prosthesis to an expanded state by uncovering the second portion of the prosthesis allowing the second portion of the prosthesis to expand.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a catheter (20), a first pump (24U) disposed on the catheter, and a second pump (24D) disposed on the catheter, proximally to the first pump. A control unit (52) is configured to control activation of the first and second pumps. The first and second pumps are configured, when activated, to pump fluid in opposite directions from one another. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a valve (34) that includes valve leaflets (33) and a non-branched valve frame (31) configured to support the valve leaflets, the frame defining a single longitudinal axis thereof, the longitudinal axis being a generally straight line along a full length of the frame. The valve (34) is placed at least partially within a renal vein of a subject. The valve defines an open state thereof in which the valve leaflets (33) allow generally unimpeded antegrade blood flow therethrough, and a closed state thereof in which the valve leaflets (33), in a passive manner, reduce venous pressure within the renal vein relative to central venous pressure of the subject. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A mitral valve prosthesis and methods for implanting the prosthesis transapically (i.e., through the apex of the heart), transatrially (i.e., through the left atrium of the heart), and transseptally (i.e., through the septum of the heart). The prosthesis generally includes a self-expanding frame and two or more support arms. A valve prosthesis is sutured to the self-expanding frame. Each support arm corresponds to a native mitral valve leaflet. At least one support arm immobilizes the native leaflets, and holds the native leaflets close to the main frame.

Abstract: A loading tool for withdrawing, crimping, and loading a stent-mounted valve into a delivery catheter, and for pushing the stent-mounted valve from the delivery catheter into a native heart valve orifice. The loading tool comprises at least one connector adapted for being removably connected to the stent of the stent-mounted valve. A crimping tool having a generally converging shape is adapted for use with the loading tool. Following connection of the loading tool to the steal-mounted valve, the loading tool operates to allow the stent-mounted valve to be drawn through the crimping tool, and loaded, in, a crimped state, into a delivery catheter. Also disclosed is a kit of the of the various components for effecting the delivery of the stent-mounted valve and a method for withdrawing, crimping, and loading a steel-mounted valve from a storage container into a delivery catheter for the performance of a transcatheter valve implantation procedure.

Abstract: A prosthesis is provided for implantation at a native semilunar valve of a native valve complex, the native valve complex having three semilunar sinuses and three native commissures. The prosthesis includes a valve prosthesis support, which comprises a support structure comprising exactly three engagement arms that meet one another at three respective junctures. The engagement arms are shaped so as define three peak complexes at the three respective junctures, and three trough complexes, each of which is between two of the peak complexes. Upon implantation of the prosthesis, each of the engagement arms is at least partially disposed within a respective one of the semilunar sinuses, such that each of the peak complexes is disposed distal to and in rotational alignment with a respective one of the native commissures, and each of the trough complexes is disposed at least partially within the respective one of the semilunar sinuses.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use with a mitral valve of a heart of a subject. The apparatus includes a P1-anchor, a P2-anchor, and a P3-anchor, that are anchored to tissue in a vicinity of, respectively, P1, P2and P3segments of a posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, a tether being fixedly coupled to the P2-anchor, and slidably coupled to the P1and P3anchors. A cardiac-site anchor anchors the tether to an anchoring location that is at a cardiac site that is anterior and inferior to the posterior leaflet. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A loading tool for withdrawing, crimping, and loading a stent-mounted valve into a delivery catheter, and for pushing the stent-mounted valve from the delivery catheter into a native heart valve orifice. The loading tool comprises at least one connector adapted for being removably connected to the stent of the stent-mounted valve. A crimping tool having a generally converging shape is adapted for use with the loading tool. Following connection of the loading tool to the stent-mounted valve, the loading tool operates to allow the stent-mounted valve to be drawn through the crimping tool, and loaded, in a crimped state, into a delivery catheter. Also disclosed is a kit of the various components for effecting the delivery of the stent-mounted valve and a method for withdrawing, crimping, and loading a stent-mounted valve from a storage container into a delivery catheter for the performance of a transcatheter valve implantation procedure.

Abstract: A prosthesis is provided for implantation at a native semilunar valve of a native valve complex, the native valve complex having three semilunar sinuses and three native commissures. The prosthesis includes a valve prosthesis support, which comprises a support structure comprising exactly three engagement arms that meet one another at three respective junctures. The engagement arms are shaped so as define three peak complexes at the three respective junctures, and three trough complexes, each of which is between two of the peak complexes. Upon implantation of the prosthesis, each of the engagement arms is at least partially disposed within a respective one of the semilunar sinuses, such that each of the peak complexes is disposed distal to and in rotational alignment with a respective one of the native commissures, and each of the trough complexes is disposed at least partially within the respective one of the semilunar sinuses.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including identifying a subject as suffering from a condition selected from the group consisting of: cardiac dysfunction, congestive heart failure, reduced renal blood flow, increased renal vascular resistance, arterial hypertension, and kidney dysfunction. In response thereto, blood pressure within a renal vein of the subject is reduced, by placing a blood pump inside the subject's renal vein and activating the impeller to pump blood from the renal vein into the subject's vena cava. Other applications are also described.