A valvuloplasty system comprises a balloon adapted to be placed adjacent leaflets of a valve. The balloon is inflatable with a liquid. The system further includes a shock wave generator within the balloon that produces shock waves. The shock waves propagate through the liquid and impinge upon the valve to decalcify and open the valve.

An apparatus includes a balloon adapted to be placed adjacent a calcified region of a body. The balloon is inflatable with a liquid. The apparatus further includes a shock wave generator within the balloon that produces shock waves that propagate through the liquid for impinging upon the calcified region adjacent the balloon. The shock wave generator includes a plurality of shock wave sources distributed within the balloon.

A method of removing thrombus accumulation from a space between a body valve and a wall of a body vessel is described herein. The method can include an occlusion catheter with a first occlusion member positioned on the second side of the vessel. An aspiration catheter is introduced through the vessel and the valve. The aspiration catheter can have a nozzle with a bent configuration to position the end opening proximate to the thrombus accumulation.

A method of delivering a prosthetic heart valve to the aortic valve annulus while a patient's heart is beating is disclosed. The method includes accessing the left ventricle through an intercostal incision and forming a puncture in the left ventricle. A guidewire is advanced into the left ventricle and through the aortic valve. An introducer is passed over the guidewire and into the left ventricle. A valve delivery device is advanced over the guidewire and through the introducer until a prosthetic heart valve positioned thereon is located within the aortic valve. The prosthetic heart valve is then radially expanded within the aortic valve annulus for replacing the function of the native aortic valve.

Method for delivering an expandable member to a treatment location includes an elongate shaft and an expandable member coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft. Embodiments of the expandable member are moveable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, and have an inner expandable member and a plurality of outer expandable members that at least partially surround the inner expandable member, and are suitable for delivering prosthetic heart valves and performing vavuloplasties.

A device for cutting off and removing calcified tissue from a heart valve, including a tubular body suitable for being inserted by way of a minimally invasive or endoscopic channel in relation to a previously inserted guide wire suitable for passing through the flaps of the valve above the portion where the calcified tissue is to be removed. One of the ends of the body, viewed at the flaps, has a profiled tip made of flexible material and arrangements for the lateral projection of a cutting member for cutting the tissue. The end of the body has, upstream from the arrangements for the lateral projection of the cutting member, a laterally offset rounded area defining, on the same side as the arrangements, a recessed portion and, on the opposite side, a projecting portion suitable for bearing upon the flaps during the cutting procedure under the effect of a rotational movement of the body that can be actuated using only one hand by way of a handle located externally in order to decalcify the whole valve. The arrangements are in communication with a mechanism for sucking away the cut tissue.

The invention provides a device for generating shock waves. The device may comprise an elongated tube and a conductive sheath circumferentially mounted around the elongated tube. The device may further comprise first and second insulated wires extending along the outer surface of the elongated tube. A portion of the first insulated wire is removed to form a first inner electrode, which is adjacent to a first side edge of the conductive sheath. A portion of the second insulated wire is removed to form a second inner electrode, which is adjacent to a second side edge of the conductive sheath. Responsive to a high voltage being applied across the first inner electrode and the second inner electrode, a first shock wave is created across the first side edge and the first inner electrode, and a second shock wave is created across the second side edge and the second inner electrode.

A method of delivering a prosthetic heart valve to the aortic valve annulus while a patient's heart is beating. The method includes accessing the left ventricle through an intercostal incision and forming a puncture in the left ventricle. A guidewire is advanced into the left ventricle and through the native aortic valve. An introducer sheath is passed over the guidewire and into the left ventricle. A prosthetic heart valve is advanced over the guidewire and through the introducer sheath using a delivery catheter. After positioning the prosthetic heart valve in the native aortic valve, the prosthetic heart valve is radially expanded in the aortic valve annulus for replacing the function of the native aortic valve.

A valve insertion device for traversing a wire guide through a valve within an intraluminal passage. A wire guide is positioned near the outflow of a valve within an intraluminal passage. Alongside the wire guide, a pressure sensor is positioned to detect the pressure of the fluid in the intraluminal passage. As the valve opens, the fluid pressure at the outflow of the valve increases. This information is sent from the pressure sensor to a control system. From this information, the control system can determine when the valve will open and can actuate an advancement system to move the wire guide to traverse the open valve. After traversing the valve, various catheters and sheaths may be advanced over the wire guide through the valve.

A valvuloplasty device comprises an expandable anchor and an expansion member mounted about an outer surface of the expandable anchor. The expansion member is either an annular balloon or a sleeve. The valvuloplasty device can be used for valvuloplasty and for valve implantation.