Devices, systems, and methods for removing or dividing valve leaflets, wherein the devices have an elongate shaft and a cutting tool disposed on or near a distal end of the shaft. Certain embodiments include a cutting tool comprising an expandable structure with a cutting element associated with the expandable structure. Other embodiments have a cutting tool that can extend out of an opening in the elongate shaft. Further implementations have a cutting tool that is a laser fiber, an ultrasound emitting tool, or a radiofrequency emitting tool. Some specific embodiments have a first expandable structure disposed at or near a distal end of the elongate shaft, and a second expandable structure disposed on the elongate shaft proximally of the first expandable structure, the second expandable structure comprising at least one distal projection, wherein the at least one distal projection comprises a cutting tool. Other implementations have a cutting tool comprising first and second jaw arms and first and second blades coupled to the first and second jaw arms, respectively.

The present invention relates to an assembly for replacing a heart valve or coronary angioplasty assembly, including an insertion sheath (13) of an introducer (1) or a delivery catheter (1), which is smaller in size than an introducer, intended for being inserted into an artery of a human body. The invention essentially involves integrating the metal substrate of an electrode of the cardiac stimulator directly into the sheath for insertion into the artery of a patient.

A venous valve incising cutter includes a cutting teeth head, a guide, a wire and a coupling rod that couples the guide and a cutting teeth head, all aligned in a rotation axis thereof. More than four pieces of cutting blades are formed on the outer surrounding surface of the cutting teeth head. Each cutting blade has a roughly triangular pyramid shape such that the three ridge lines are composed of the outer surrounding surface of the cutting teeth head and the two planes formed in the reverse side of the outer surrounding surface and the apex is a knife-point of the cutting blade.

Devices, systems, and methods employ an implant that is sized and configured to attach to the annulus of a dysfunctional heart valve annulus. In use, the implant extends across the major axis of the annulus above and/or along the valve annulus. The implant reshapes the major axis dimension and/or other surrounding anatomic structures. The implant restores to the heart valve annulus and leaflets a more functional anatomic shape and tension. The more functional anatomic shape and tension are conducive to coaptation of the leaflets during systole, which, in turn, reduces regurgitation. The implant improves function to the valve, without surgically cinching, resecting, and/or fixing in position large portions of a dilated annulus, or without the surgical fixation of ring-like structures.

The present technology is directed generally to devices, systems, and methods for capturing and cutting fibrous and trabeculated structures (such as synechiae) in vessel lumens. In one embodiment, the present technology includes an intraluminal tissue modifying system configured to capture the fibrous structures, put the fibrous structures in tension, and controllably cut through the fibrous structures without applying appreciable additional force to the vessel wall. The system may include an expandable capture device and a cutting device.

A basilica system for use in replacement heart valve implant procedures may include a first catheter including a side port disposed proximal of a distal tip, a conductive guidewire slidably disposed within the first catheter and configured to be advanced out the side port proximate a leaflet of a replacement heart valve implant disposed within a native heart valve of a patient, a second catheter including a lumen extending to a distal end of the second catheter, and a snare shaft slidably disposed within the second catheter, the snare shaft including a wire loop configured to grasp the conductive guidewire. The basilica system may include a delivery catheter. The first and second catheters may be disposed within the delivery catheter. The conductive guidewire may be configured to be electrically coupled to a source of RF energy. The conductive guidewire may be configured to puncture the leaflet.

A valve leaflet resection device includes a catheter (110), an electrode assembly (140) slidably disposed within the catheter and deployable from the catheter and configured to remove a portion of a leaflet of a heart valve, a leaflet retainer (130) slidably disposed within the catheter and deployable from the catheter, the leaflet retainer configured to grasp a leaflet of a heart valve, and a capture basket (120) configured to capture a resected portion of the leaflet of the heart valve upon retraction of the leaflet retainer.

Procedures may be performed on the heart after the installation of a mitral valve fixation device. In order to prepare the heart for such procedures, the fixation device may be removed or disabled in minimally invasive ways (e.g., through an endovascular procedure), without requiring open access to the heart. The fixation device may be partitioned so that one portion may remain attached to each leaflet of the mitral valve. In another example, the leaflets may be cut along the edges of the distal element(s) of the fixation device, so as to cut the fixation device from the leaflet(s). Systems and devices for performing such procedures endovascularly are disclosed. Fixation devices with improved access to a release harness are also disclosed.

A device includes a first end portion, a second end portion, an intermediate portion, and a graft material. The first end portion has a first end diameter. The second end portion has a second end diameter smaller than the first end diameter. The first end portion comprises a first material. The second end portion comprises a second material different than the first material. The intermediate portion is between the first end portion and the second end portion. The intermediate portion tapers between the first end portion and the second end portion. The graft material is coupled to at least the intermediate portion.

Methods and devices for treating a vessel for use in a medical procedure are disclosed. A vein or other vessel can be modified in situ, prior to harvesting. Subsequently, at least a portion of the vessel is removed, and subsequently implanted to treat a patient, typically in a bypass procedure in which the vessel portion fluidly connects a source of oxygenated blood to an occluded artery.