Abstract: A delivery catheter (12) for a stent valve (10), the delivery catheter having a distal portion (14) insertable into an anatomy, the distal portion comprising an accommodation region (18) for accommodating a stent-valve for delivery into the anatomy, the delivery catheter further comprising at least one sheath (20; 22) that is translatable between a closed position for at least partly closing the accommodation region and an open position for at least partly opening the accommodation region.

Abstract: Apparatus (40) for compressing a transcatheter cardiac stent-valve (10) comprises: a first compressor stage (100) including a hollow channel (42) with a tapered interior surface configured for compressing a stent-valve in response to longitudinal advancement of the stent-valve within the channel; and a second compressor stage (102) comprising a crimper for compressing a portion of the stent-valve without longitudinal advancement.

Abstract: A guide catheter is described for introduction into a patient's vasculature, to provide a substantially continuous guide lumen within the vasculature to the ascending aorta, through which one or more other functional catheters may be introduced and removed during the procedure. The guide catheter includes an aligner at its distal region for aligning the position and/or inclination of the distal region of the guide catheter with respect to the ascending aorta. The aligner includes an embolic protection filter. The guide catheter is made of material collapsible/distensible in cross section to adopt a small shape when no catheter is present inside, and to distend to a large shape to accommodate passage of functional catheter therethrough. The cross-section shape collapses/distends by folding/unfolding of material without elastic stretching of the material.

Abstract: A device for heart valve replacement comprises a valve component having at least two valve leaflets preferably made of pericardium tissue. Each valve leaflet includes at least two tabs. The device further includes a stent component configured to be radially compressible into a compressed state and expandable into a functional state. The stent component comprises a first end, a second end and at least one intermediate section arranged between said first and said second end. The intermediate section has at least two commissural posts generally aligned parallel to an axis spanning from the first end to the second end. The commissural posts are formed in the shape of a wishbone.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a stent-valve for transcatheter implantation to replace a cardiac valve. In some embodiments, the stent valve being compressible to a compressed state for delivery, and expandable to an operative state for implantation. In some embodiments, the stent-valve comprises a stent, a plurality of leaflets for defining a prosthetic valve, an inner skirt, an outer skirt, and a paravalve seal for sealing against surrounding tissue. In some embodiments, the paravalve seal comprising material that swells in response to contact with blood or components thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are related to devices and techniques for para-valve sealing of an expandable stent-valve implanted using a catheter. In some embodiments, a stent-valve is provided which comprises a seal sleeve/cuff containing material that swells when contacted by blood. A piercing tool may be included and used to permit a user to puncture the sleeve/cuff prior to introduction into a patient's body. In some embodiments, the sleeve/cuff has an integral tubular structure configured to withstand balloon expansion of the stent-valve during or after implantation. In some embodiments, the seal is provided as a separate component from the stent-valve.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for creating a channel through a foreign material located in a body of a patient. The foreign material defines a material first surface and a substantially opposed material second surface and the channel extends through the foreign material between the material first and second surfaces. The method uses an apparatus including an electrode, and includes the steps of: positioning the electrode substantially adjacent to the material first surface; energizing the electrode with a radiofrequency current; and using the electrode energized with the radiofrequency current to deliver energy into the foreign material to create the channel. In some embodiments, the patient's body includes a heart defining a septum, the septum defines an aperture extending there-through and the foreign material extends across the aperture to cover the aperture.

Abstract: A delivery catheter for a prosthetic heart valve, the valve expandable from a collapsed condition for delivery to an ex paneled condition for implantation, the delivery catheter comprising: a holder for engaging the valve in the collapsed state of the valve, the holder configured such that (i) in response to a radial compression force exerted thereon, the holder has a first shape defining an exposed engagement region for engaging at least a portion of the collapsed prosthetic heart valve for restraining axial displacement of the prosthetic valve in at least one axial direction of the catheter, and (ii) in response to removal of the radial compression force upon expansion of the valve, at least a portion of the holder transitions to a second shape.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes embodiments for treating a defect in a tissue, the tissue having internal and external surfaces. A device includes a first portion for positioning at one of the internal and external surfaces for applying a treatment force to the defect. In addition, the device has a second portion for applying a counter-force, where the second portion is operable to be positioned so that the counter-force is applied on the other of the internal and external surfaces, away from the defect so as to substantially avoid application of force at the defect. Furthermore, the device includes a coupling member for connecting the inner and outer portions. Methods of using the device are described, for example in an intervertebral disc having a herniation.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for creating a channel through a foreign material located in a septum of a heart at the site of a septal defect. The foreign material defines a material first surface and a substantially opposed material second surface, and the channel extends through the foreign material at least partially between the material first and second surfaces. The method uses an apparatus including an electrode and includes the steps of: positioning the electrode substantially adjacent to the material first surface; energizing the electrode with a radiofrequency current; and using the electrode energized with the radiofrequency current to deliver energy into the foreign material to create the channel.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes embodiments for treating a defect in a tissue, the tissue having internal and external surfaces. A device includes a first portion for positioning at one of the internal and external surfaces for applying a treatment force to the defect. In addition, the device has a second portion for applying a counter-force, where the second portion is operable to be positioned so that the counter-force is applied on the other of the internal and external surfaces, away from the defect so as to substantially avoid application of force at the defect. Furthermore, the device includes a coupling member for connecting the inner and outer portions. Methods of using the device are described, for example in an intervertebral disc having a herniation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are related to devices and techniques for para-valve sealing of an expandable stent-valve implanted using a catheter. In some embodiments, a stent-valve is provided which comprises a seal sleeve/cuff containing material that swells when contacted by blood. A piercing tool may be included and used to permit a user to puncture the sleeve/cuff prior to introduction into a patient's body. In some embodiments, the sleeve/cuff has an integral tubular structure configured to withstand balloon expansion of the stent-valve during or after implantation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to stents, valved-stents, and associated methods and systems for their delivery via minimally-invasive surgery.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to devices, solutions and methods for collecting and processing samples of bodily fluids containing cells (as well as embodiments for the collection, and processing and/or analysis of other fluids including toxic and/or hazardous substances/fluids). In addition, the disclosure relates generally to function genomic studies and to the isolation and preservation of cells from saliva and other bodily fluids (e.g., urine), for cellular analysis. With respect to devices for collection of bodily fluids, some embodiments include two mating bodies, a cap and a tube (for example), where, in some embodiments, the cap includes a closed interior space for holding a sample preservative solution and mates with the tube to constitute the (closed) sample collection device. Upon mating, the preservation solution flows into the closed interior space to preserve cells in the bodily fluid. The tube is configured to receive a donor sample of bodily fluid (e.g.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for creating a channel through a foreign material located in a body of a patient. The foreign material defines a material first surface and a substantially opposed material second surface and the channel extends through the foreign material between the material first and second surfaces. The method uses an apparatus including an electrode, and includes the steps of: positioning the electrode substantially adjacent to the material first surface; energizing the electrode with a radiofrequency current; and using the electrode energized with the radiofrequency current to deliver energy into the foreign material to create the channel. In some embodiments, the patient's body includes a heart defining a septum, the septum defines an aperture extending there-through and the foreign material extends across the aperture to cover the aperture.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for creating a channel through a foreign material located in a septum of a heart at the site of a septal defect. The foreign material defines a material first surface and a substantially opposed material second surface, and the channel extends through the foreign material at least partially between the material first and second surfaces. The method uses an apparatus including an electrode and includes the steps of: positioning the electrode substantially adjacent to the material first surface; energizing the electrode with a radiofrequency current; and using the electrode energized with the radiofrequency current to deliver energy into the foreign material to create the channel.

Abstract: A guide catheter (30) is described for introduction into a patient's vasculature, to provide a substantially continuous guide lumen (28) within the vasculature to the ascending aorta (34), through which one or more other functional catheters (44) may be introduced and removed during the procedure. The guide catheter includes an aligner (70) at its distal region for aligning the position and/or inclination of the distal region of the guide catheter with respect to the ascending aorta. The aligner includes an embolic protection filter (88). The guide catheter is made of material collapsible/distensible in cross section to adopt a small shape when no catheter is present inside, and to distend to a large shape to accommodate passage of functional catheter therethrough. The cross-section shape collapses/distends by folding/unfolding of material without elastic stretching of the material.

Abstract: A device for heart valve replacement comprises a valve component having at least two valve leaflets preferably made of pericardium tissue. Each valve leaflet includes at least two tabs. The device further includes a stent component configured to be radially compressible into a compressed state and expandable into a functional state. The stent component comprises a first end, a second end and at least one intermediate section arranged between said first and said second end. The intermediate section has at least two commissural posts generally aligned parallel to an axis spanning from the first end to the second end. The commissural posts are formed in the shape of a wishbone.

Abstract: A method for creating a channel through a foreign material located in a body of a patient, the foreign material defining a material first surface and a substantially opposed material second surface, the channel extending through the foreign material between the material first and second surfaces, the method using an apparatus including an electrode, the method comprising: positioning the electrode substantially adjacent to the material first surface; energizing the electrode with a radiofrequency current; and using the electrode energized with the radiofrequency current to deliver energy into the foreign material to create the channel, wherein the foreign material is included in a stent graft.

Abstract: A delivery catheter (12) for a stent valve (10), the delivery catheter having a distal portion (14) insertable into an anatomy, the distal portion comprising an accommodation region (18) for accommodating a stent-valve for delivery into the anatomy, the delivery catheter further comprising at least one sheath (20; 22) that is translatable between a closed position for at least partly closing the accommodation region and an open position for at least partly opening the accommodation region.