Abstract: Support frames and medical devices are described. An example medical device comprises an expandable support frame with first and second leaflets attached to the support frame. Each of the first and second leaflets defines a domed radius that is equal to or less than the radius of the expandable support frame when the expandable support frame is in an expanded configuration and the leaflets are subjected to fluid pressure sufficient to affect closure of the valve orifice.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for use with suction within a mammalian body. In an exemplary embodiment of a device of the present disclosure, the device comprises one or more of the following: an inner tube, an outer tube, and a foldable portion, whereby movement of the two tubes relative to one another causes the foldable portion to form a suction cup, and conversely causes a suction cup to form a foldable portion, depending on the direction of relative movement.

Abstract: Support frames and medical devices are described. An example medical device comprises an expandable support frame with first and second leaflets attached to the support frame. Each of the first and second leaflets defines a domed radius that is equal to or less than the radius of the expandable support frame when the expandable support frame is in an expanded configuration and the leaflets are subjected to fluid pressure sufficient to affect closure of the valve orifice.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for use with suction within a mammalian body. In an exemplary embodiment of a device of the present disclosure, the device comprises one or more of the following: an inner tube, an outer tube, and a foldable portion, whereby movement of the two tubes relative to one another causes the foldable portion to form a suction cup, and conversely causes a suction cup to form a foldable portion, depending on the direction of relative movement.

Abstract: Methods to generate elongated wires having a metallic substrate thereon and devices comprising the same. In a method of generating a device, the method comprises the steps of applying a first nonconductive coating upon an elongated core body of the device; applying a first conductive coating upon the first nonconductive coating; applying a photoresist coating upon the first conductive coating; directing a laser/light from a laser/light source upon portions of the photoresist coating to cause said portions of the photoresist coating to harden; applying a first chemical to the photoresist coating to remove the photoresist coating that was not hardened by the laser/light; and applying a second chemical to the hardened photoresist coating to expose portions of the first conductive coating previously positioned below the hardened photoresist coating.

Abstract: A quick-connector for use with an autoretroperfusion and hypothermia system and methods of using the connector. The connector comprises a coolant inlet, a coolant outlet, a coolant reservoir, a blood lumen outlet, a blood lumen inlet, and a blood lumen, whereby the coolant outlet is configured to accept a cooling product from the reservoir, the reservoir is configured to accept cooling product from the coolant inlet. Flowing blood powered by the patient's heart may enter the connector through the blood lumen inlet, travel through the blood lumen while being cooled by cooling product in the reservoir, and leave the connector through the blood lumen outlet. The temperature of blood leaving the connector can be measured at the blood lumen outlet. Catheters can be attached to the blood lumen inlet and blood lumen outlet to receive and send blood, respectively. A cooling system can be attached to the coolant inlet and coolant outlet to provide a source of cooling product.

Abstract: Devices and systems for tissue engagement and methods of using the same.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for organ Retroperfusion along with regional mild hypothermia. One such system includes a hypothermia system including a hypothermia system outlet and a hypothermia system inlet; and a connector comprising a coolant inlet, a coolant outlet, a coolant reservoir, and a blood lumen, whereby the coolant inlet is configured to couple to the hypothermia system outlet and whereby the coolant outlet is configured to couple to the hypothermia system inlet; whereby a cooling product, when the hypothermia system is connected to the connector, can flow from the hypothermia system, through the hypothermia system outlet, into the coolant inlet, through the coolant reservoir, into the coolant outlet, and into the hypothermia system inlet, so that the cooling product can cool blood flowing through the blood lumen.

Abstract: A method of treatment for a body vessel is provided. The body vessel includes a dissection flap formed from a wall of the body vessel, which longitudinally separates a natural body vessel lumen into a true lumen and a false lumen. One or more cuts are formed in the dissection flap with a cutting device or system. An expandable device is inserted within the true lumen, and expanded to reappose the dissection flap against the wall of the body vessel where the dissection flap was detached from the wall such that the false lumen is closed. A variety of cut patterns are disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and systems for tissue engagement and methods of using the same. In at least one embodiment of a device of the present disclosure, the device comprises an elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end; an engagement portion at the distal end of the elongated body, the engagement portion configured to engage a tissue adjacent thereto when the engagement portion contacts the tissue while suction is applied through the device; and at least one electrode present along the engagement portion and configured to contact the tissue when the engagement portion contacts the tissue and to obtain bioimpedance data from the tissue while suction is applied through the device.

Abstract: Cutting devices useful for cutting objects or materials are described. Examples of cutting devices useful for creating avulsions in animals, such as human beings, are described. A cutting device includes an elongate main body having proximal and distal ends. A first portion of the main body has a cross-sectional shape that substantially lacks flat surfaces and a second portion of the main body has a cross-sectional shape having one, two or more flat surfaces. The distal end defines a hook having one or more sharpened edges disposed within the notch of the hook. Methods of making cutting devices are also described.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for use with suction within a mammalian body. In an exemplary embodiment of a device of the present disclosure, the device comprises one or more of the following: an inner tube, an outer tube, and a foldable portion, whereby movement of the two tubes relative to one another causes the foldable portion to form a suction cup, and conversely causes a suction cup to form a foldable portion, depending on the direction of relative movement.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for organ Retroperfusion along with regional mild hypothermia. One such system includes a hypothermia system including a hypothermia system outlet and a hypothermia system inlet; and a connector comprising a coolant inlet, a coolant outlet, a coolant reservoir, and a blood lumen, whereby the coolant inlet is configured to couple to the hypothermia system outlet and whereby the coolant outlet is configured to couple to the hypothermia system inlet; whereby a cooling product, when the hypothermia system is connected to the connector, can flow from the hypothermia system, through the hypothermia system outlet, into the coolant inlet, through the coolant reservoir, into the coolant outlet, and into the hypothermia system inlet, so that the cooling product can cool blood flowing through the blood lumen.

Abstract: A method of treatment for a body vessel is provided. The body vessel includes a dissection flap formed from a wall of the body vessel, which longitudinally separates a natural body vessel lumen into a true lumen and a false lumen. One or more cuts are formed in the dissection flap with a cutting device or system. An expandable device is inserted within the true lumen, and expanded to reappose the dissection flap against the wall of the body vessel where the dissection flap was detached from the wall such that the false lumen is closed. A variety of cut patterns are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for treatment for a body vessel having a dissection flap formed from a wall of the body vessel, which longitudinally separates a natural body vessel lumen into a true lumen and a false lumen. One or more cuts are formed in the dissection flap with the cutting device or system including cutting blades. An expandable device is inserted within the true lumen, and expanded to reappose the dissection flap against the wall of the body vessel where the dissection flap was detached from the wall such that the false lumen is closed. A variety of cut patterns are disclosed.

Abstract: Tissue cutting systems and methods of tissue cutting are provided. In one example, the tissue cutting system includes a first device and a second device adapted for coupling to a power supply. The first device includes a conductive probe. The second device includes a conductive material, for example, as part of an expandable structure, having an outer surface area of conductive material that may be larger than a surface area of the conductive probe. The conductive probe and the conductive material are deployed along opposite sides of a body tissue, such as an aortic dissection flap. Selective electrical power is applied to the conductive probe and the conductive material to cut the body tissue.

Abstract: Animal models useful in the evaluation of medical devices, such as intraluminal medical devices, including intraluminal valve prostheses, are described. An example animal model comprises an animal in which a chordae tendineae attached to at least one of the leaflets of the tricuspid valve has been cut during an interventional procedure. Methods of evaluating intraluminal medical devices are also described. An example methods comprises cutting chordae tendineae attached to a leaflet of a tricuspid valve of an animal; allowing the animal to recover from the step of cutting the chordae tendineae; implanting an intraluminal medical device at a target site within a body vessel of the animal; allowing the animal to recover from the step of implanting an intraluminal medical device; and monitoring in vivo performance of the intraluminal medical device.

Abstract: Support frames and medical devices are described. An example medical device comprises an expandable support frame with first and second leaflets attached to the support frame. Each of the first and second leaflets defines a domed radius that is equal to or less than the radius of the expandable support frame when the expandable support frame is in an expanded configuration and the leaflets are subjected to fluid pressure sufficient to affect closure of the valve orifice.

Abstract: Cutting devices useful for cutting objects or materials are described. Examples of cutting devices useful for creating avulsions in animals, such as human beings, are described. A cutting device includes an elongate main body having proximal and distal ends. A first portion of the main body has a cross-sectional shape that substantially lacks flat surfaces and a second portion of the main body has a cross-sectional shape having one, two or more flat surfaces. The distal end defines a hook having one or more sharpened edges disposed within the notch of the hook. Methods of making cutting devices are also described.

Abstract: Methods to generate elongated wires having a metallic substrate thereon and devices comprising the same. In a method of generating a device, the method comprises the steps of applying a first nonconductive coating upon an elongated core body of the device; applying a first conductive coating upon the first nonconductive coating; applying a photoresist coating upon the first conductive coating; directing a laser/light from a laser/light source upon portions of the photoresist coating to cause said portions of the photoresist coating to harden; applying a first chemical to the photoresist coating to remove the photoresist coating that was not hardened by the laser/light; and applying a second chemical to the hardened photoresist coating to expose portions of the first conductive coating previously positioned below the hardened photoresist coating.