A stent is provided that includes a body extending between a distal and a proximal end. The body is defined by a plurality of elongated members, with each elongated member extending between a distal end that is coterminous with the distal end of the body and a proximal end that is coterminous with the proximal end of the body. Each of the plurality of elongated members are arranged so as to define a lumen extending along the length of the respective plurality of elongated members, the lumen extending between the distal and proximal ends of the body so as to form a lumen length. Each of the plurality of elongated members are configured to permit drainage of a fluid from within the lumen to an environment external the stent along the entire lumen length.

A stent includes an expandable tubular body formed of one or more interwoven wires, and including a plurality of anti-migration features each having a first end fixed to the tubular body and a second end extending radially outward from an outer surface of the tubular body. The anti-migration features may be formed of a closed loop of one or more of the interwoven wires extending from the outer surface of the tubular body. The closed loops may be formed at the first end, the second end and/or along a medial region of the tubular body. In some instances, the base of the loops may be a cross-over point of the wire(s) forming the closed loop. The wire(s) may be welded at the cross-over point.

A stent includes an expandable tubular body formed of one or more interwoven wires, and including a plurality of anti-migration features each having a first end fixed to the tubular body and a second end extending radially outward from an outer surface of the tubular body. The anti-migration features may be formed of a closed loop of one or more of the interwoven wires extending from the outer surface of the tubular body. The closed loops may be formed at the first end, the second end and/or along a medial region of the tubular body. In some instances, the base of the loops may be a cross-over point of the wire(s) forming the closed loop. The wire(s) may be welded at the cross-over point.

An assembly includes an implant and a control lead. The implant includes a tubular implant body, a circumferentially adjustable sealing collar coupled to the implant body, a rotatable sealer gear coupled to the sealing collar and configured to adjust the circumference of the sealing collar, and a locking member having a locked state and an unlocked state. The control lead is configured for rotating the locking member and moving the locking member from the locked state to the unlocked state. In the locked state, rotating the control lead does not adjust the circumference of the sealing member. In the unlocked state, rotating the control lead in a first direction rotates the locking member and the sealer gear and circumferentially expands the sealing collar. In the unlocked state, rotating the control lead in a second direction rotates the locking member and the sealer gear and circumferentially contracts the sealing collar.

A prosthetic heart valve includes a frame, a valve component, and an actuation mechanism. The frame has a plurality of struts interconnected by a plurality of joints and is movable between expanded and compressed configurations. The valve component is inside the frame and has a plurality of leaflets. The actuation mechanism has a first expansion element coupled to the frame at a first location and a second expansion element coupled to the frame at a second location. The actuation mechanism is configured such that moving the first expansion element and the second expansion element toward each other in a first direction results in the frame moving from the compressed configuration to the expanded configuration, and such that moving the first expansion element and the second expansion element away from each other in a second direction results in the frame moving from the expanded configuration to the compressed configuration.

A convertible nephroureteral catheter is used in the treatment of urinary system complications, particularly on the need for a single surgically delivered device to treat patients who must be seen by an interventional radiologist (IR). In many current procedures, patients need to return to the operating room to remove a previously delivered nephroureteral catheter to exchange this catheter with a fully implanted ureteral stent delivered though the same access site at the flank. The present convertible nephroureteral catheter reduces the need to return for a second surgical procedure. Two weeks after initial implantation, the proximal portion of the convertible nephroureteral catheter extending out from the body may simply be removed. A simple action at the catheter hub allows this proximal portion to be removed, leaving behind the implanted ureteral stent within the patient's urinary system. Other medical procedures, devices, and technologies may benefit from the described convertible catheter.

A stent and a system comprising a stent and a stent deployment catheter are disclosed. The stent comprises an elongated tubular body defining a longitudinal axis and including a proximal end, a distal end, and a central lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The central lumen is configured for passage of a guide wire therethrough. The stent further comprises a tapered and/or frustoconical distal tip portion disposed at the distal end of the elongated tubular body, wherein the distal tip portion comprises one or more spiral threads. The stent deployment catheter comprises an inner sheath configured to be slidably disposed within the central lumen of the elongated tubular body; and an outer sheath configured to be slidably disposed over the inner sheath. The stent and stent deployment catheter can be configured for placement of the stent within a pancreaticobiliary duct.

A stent and a system comprising a stent and a stent deployment catheter are disclosed. The stent comprises an elongated tubular body defining a longitudinal axis and including a proximal end, a distal end, and a central lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The central lumen is configured for passage of a guide wire therethrough. The stent further comprises a tapered and/or frustoconical distal tip portion disposed at the distal end of the elongated tubular body, wherein the distal tip portion comprises one or more spiral threads. The stent deployment catheter comprises an inner sheath configured to be slidably disposed within the central lumen of the elongated tubular body; and an outer sheath configured to be slidably disposed over the inner sheath. The stent and stent deployment catheter can be configured for placement of the stent within a pancreaticobiliary duct.

A method is provided, including, delivering into a heart of a patient an annuloplasty ring structure including a body portion and an adjusting mechanism configured to adjust a size of the body portion of the annuloplasty ring structure, the adjusting mechanism including a housing, and following the delivering, moving the housing with respect to the body portion. Other applications are also described.

A method is provided, including, delivering into a heart of a patient an annuloplasty ring structure including a body portion and an adjusting mechanism configured to adjust a size of the body portion of the annuloplasty ring structure, the adjusting mechanism including a housing, and following the delivering, moving the housing with respect to the body portion. Other applications are also described.