Among other things, there is disclosed structure and methods for maintaining access to a location in the body while reducing or eliminating the potential for pulling an access device (e.g. a catheter) back through an opening. An introducer sheath includes a distal indented portion and a balloon, so that once placed in a desired location through tissue, the balloon can be inflated to anchor the sheath against retraction. In particular embodiments, structure and methods for accessing the pericardial cavity via the right atrial appendage are shown.

Several unique intra-cardiac pressure devices, placement catheters, methods of placement and methods of treating heart failure are presented. The intra-cardiac pressure devices presented allow sufficient flow from the left atrium to the right atrium to enable the relief of elevated left atrial pressure and resulting patient symptoms. The intra-cardiac pressure devices are made of a non-braided material.

A device for cardiac surgery includes a first frame member having a first end that is pivotably coupled to a first end of a second frame member, and two or more apertures are disposed through each of the first and second frame members that are each configured to receive a corresponding portion of suture. The first frame member and the second frame member are pivotably displaceable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a second end of the first frame member and a second end of the second frame member are separated by a first distance, and in the second position, the second end of the first frame member and the second end of the second frame member are separated by a second distance that is greater than the first distance.

A system for treating mitral regurgitation may include an outer sheath having a lumen extending to a distal end of the outer sheath, an intermediate sheath slidably disposed within the lumen of the outer sheath, the intermediate sheath having a lumen extending to a distal end of the intermediate sheath, and an inner sheath slidably disposed within the lumen of the intermediate sheath, wherein the inner sheath includes a first anchor disposed within a lumen of the inner sheath, the first anchor being configured to penetrate and secure to a first papillary muscle. The intermediate sheath may include a tissue grasping mechanism at the distal end of the intermediate sheath, the tissue grasping mechanism being configured to hold and stabilize the first papillary muscle for penetration and securement of the first anchor to the first papillary muscle.

A surgical stabilizer arm ends with a hybrid quick connect mechanism capable of holding tissue manipulator tools of either the ball type or the shaft type. The single integrated mechanism allows users to choose the type of attachment mechanism they prefer on a case-by-case basis. The mechanism has a spring-loaded sleeve that can be pulled back to enable an attachment (manipulator tool) to be inserted. A ball-style attachment is inserted through an opening in a grip cage, and a shaft-style attachment is inserted into an actuator (e.g., spring detent) through the claws of the grip cage. When the sleeve is released, a compression spring pushed the actuator forward, either pressing the ball attachment against the grip cage or pressing the spring detent against the shaft attachment to partially lock the attachment in place. Tightening a tension cable increases the pressure to fully lock the attachment in place.

A surgical retractor for cardiac surgery with a hollow tube-shaped first base body with a first base body longitudinal axis on which at least one first rib comprising a first end, a second end, and a first rib longitudinal axis is laterally disposed with its first end, and with a second base body with a second base body longitudinal axis on which at least one second rib comprising a first end, a second end, and a second rib longitudinal axis is laterally disposed with its first end, wherein in the first base body a first transport rod with a first transport rod longitudinal axis is disposed such that it is supported rotatably about the first transport rod longitudinal axis, wherein the at least one second rib penetrates the first base body in a through hole transversely to the first base body longitudinal axis, and wherein the at least one second rib comprises several recesses spaced apart with respect to one another along the second rib longitudinal axis, and the first transport rod comprises at least one projection cooperating with the recesses.

A surgical stabilizer arm ends with a hybrid quick connect mechanism capable of holding tissue manipulator tools of either the ball type or the shaft type. The single integrated mechanism allows users to choose the type of attachment mechanism they prefer on a case-by-case basis. The mechanism has a spring-loaded sleeve that can be pulled back to enable an attachment (manipulator tool) to be inserted. A ball-style attachment is inserted through an opening in a grip cage, and a shaft-style attachment is inserted into an actuator (e.g., spring detent) through the claws of the grip cage. When the sleeve is released, a compression spring pushed the actuator forward, either pressing the ball attachment against the grip cage or pressing the spring detent against the shaft attachment to partially lock the attachment in place. Tightening a tension cable increases the pressure to fully lock the attachment in place.

Methods and devices described herein facilitate diaphragm entry for posterior access of body organs.

Methods and devices described herein facilitate diaphragm entry for posterior access of body organs.

Medical devices, systems, and methods reduce the distance between two points in tissue, often for treatment of congestive heart failure and often in a minimally invasive manner. An anchor is inserted along an insertion path through a first wall of the heart. An arm of the anchor is deployed and rotationally positioned according to a desired alignment. Application of tension to the anchor may draw the first and second walls of the heart into contact along a desired contour so as to effect a desired change in the geometry of the heart. Additional anchors may be inserted and aligned with the first anchor to close off a portion of a ventricle such that the ventricle is geometrically remodeled and disease progression is reversed, halted, and/or slowed.