Rail tension extraction devices and methods of extracting target(s) inside a patient's body are disclosed. The device includes a base assembly having a handle and an elongate base. The device additionally includes at least one magnet configured to engage a metallic target, and a capture element received in the base assembly and disposed adjacent to the at least one magnet. The capture element is configured to at least partially surround the metallic target engaged by the at least one magnet. The device further includes an outer tube configured to move relative to the elongate base between a locking position in which a distal end of the outer tube is adjacent the capture element and the at least one magnet to secure the metallic target therebetween, and an unlocking position in which the distal end of the outer tube is spaced from the capture element and the at least one magnet.

Methods and tools for folding and/or capturing leaflets of a heart valve are disclosed herein. Prior to or during installing of a prosthetic heart valve, part of a leaflet of an existing valvular structure can be positioned distally and/or folded upon itself. The existing valvular structure may be a native heart valve or a previously-implanted prosthetic heart valve. When the existing valvular structure is at the aortic position, the prosthetic heart valve can be subsequently installed within the existing valvular structure such that the leaflet is maintained in a location that avoids obstructing blood flow to one or more of the coronary arteries.

A tissue displacing and fastening device is provided for manipulating and fastening tissue together. The device includes a tissue displacing elements, which displaces tissue. A fold is formed from the displaced tissue and the tissue is fastened together to secure the fold.

The present disclosure provides a heart valve repair method, comprising: advancing a distal end of a suture implanting apparatus from an outside of a body through a transapical approach into a left ventricle or a right ventricle of a heart; holding each leaflet of a heart valve with the distal end of the suture implanting apparatus; implanting at least one suture into the leaflet; withdrawing the suture implanting apparatus from the body; advancing a distal end of a suture locking apparatus from the outside of a body through a transapical approach into the corresponding left ventricle or the corresponding right ventricle; using the suture locking apparatus to lock the plurality of sutures; and withdrawing the suture locking apparatus from the body. The heart valve repair method has a simple surgical procedure, a low degree of patient trauma, and a high success rate of surgery.

A medical device includes a mounting structure that is adapted to be secured to a distal end of an endoscope. A first suture arm is pivotably secured to the mounting structure and is adapted to releasably secure a needle that is adapted to puncture tissue while accommodating a suture. A second suture arm is pivotably secured to the mounting structure and is adapted to releasably secure the needle. The first suture arm and the second suture arm cooperate to pass the needle back and forth therebetween along an arcuate path.

Electrophysiology mapping and visualization systems are described herein where such devices may be used to visualize tissue regions as well as map the electrophysiological activity of the tissue. Such a system may include a deployment catheter and an attached hood deployable into an expanded configuration. In use, the imaging hood is placed against or adjacent to a region of tissue to be imaged in a body lumen that is normally filled with an opaque bodily fluid such as blood. A translucent or transparent fluid, such as saline, can be pumped into the imaging hood until the fluid displaces any blood, thereby leaving a clear region of tissue to be imaged via an imaging element in the deployment catheter. A position of the catheter and/or hood may be tracked and the hood may also be used to detect the electrophysiological activity of the visualized tissue for mapping.

A method of altering facial tissue comprises inserting an anchor element into an area of a scalp attached to the facial tissue; attaching a connective element to the anchor element; and using a length of the connective element to alter a position of an area of the facial tissue.

Disclosed are methods and devices for endocardial left atrial appendage management (LAAM) by inversion and excision. The methods may comprise inserting an inverter apparatus into an interior cavity of the left atrial appendage (LAA) of a subject and inverting the LAA, closing the base portion of the inverted LAA with the one or more closure devices, separating the inverted LAA from the left atrium with a separation apparatus positioned at the base portion of the inverted LAA adjacent to the one or more closure devices, and removing the separated LAA from the subject.

Devices used to capture sutures are described. More particularly, suture capture devices described herein include an elongate cannulated tool having a first end with a sharpened point configured to pierce tissue, and an elongate hook member positioned within a hollowed center region of the elongate cannulated tool that has a hook on a first end of the elongate hook member proximate the sharpened point of the elongate cannulated tool. The elongate hook member is capable of advancing and retracting within the elongate cannulated tool. The devices further include a handle positioned on a second end of the elongate cannulated tool that includes a trigger that advances the hook into or out of the first end of the elongate cannulated tool when pushed in a first or second direction. Methods of capturing a suture using such a device are also described.

A magnet-assisted suture grasper for grasping a magnetic suture is provided. The magnet-assisted suture grasper includes a suture retrieval needle, a retriever body, a grasper arm, and a grasper magnet. Translation of the retriever body within a needle lumen of the suture retrieval needle in a first direction causes the grasper arm to move from a first position to a second position, thereby exposing the grasper magnet and allowing contact between the grasper magnet and a magnetic suture attracted thereto. Translation of the retriever body within the needle lumen in a second direction opposite the first direction causes the grasper arm to move from the second position to the first position, thereby sequestering the grasper magnet and grasping the magnetic suture within the needle lumen. Another magnet-assisted suture grasper including a handle, a stem, first and second grasper jaws, a grasper magnet, and an actuator body also is disclosed.