A catheter device for implanting a medical implant includes an actuating element configured to move with a capsule of the catheter device and to be manually operated to bring the actuating element from a first state to a second state. A first and/or second stop is included in the catheter device. The first stop is configured to limit a movement of the actuating element and therewith of the capsule in a first direction, e.g. proximal direction (P), when the actuating element is in the first state. The second stop is configured to limit a movement of the actuating element and therewith of the capsule in a second direction, e.g. distal direction (D), when the actuating element is in the first state, so as to prevent pressing of the capsule against a catheter tip of the catheter device and/or against a capsule stop of the catheter device.

An apparatus for hydraulic deployment and recapture of an implant includes a hydraulic implant uncovering mechanism and a hydraulic implant re-covering mechanism. The implant uncovering mechanism and the implant re-covering mechanism are independently actuateable with a fluid, and the implant uncovering mechanism is coupled to the implant re-covering mechanism by a flexible elongate tether.

An alignment tool for loading a stent includes a plurality of arms each having a shaft with an engagement region moveable between a first, angled configuration relative to the shaft, and a second, straight configuration, with each engagement region having an inner surface shaped to mate with a stent holder. The alignment tool further includes a lock ring having a lumen configured to receive the plurality of arms, with the lock ring configured to slide over the arms between a first retracted position in which the engagement region of each arm is exposed and allowed to bias into the angled configuration, and a second locked position in which the lock ring extends over at least a portion of the engagement regions and compresses the engagement regions into the straight configuration. The alignment tool may also include a spring configured to bias the lock ring in the locked position.

A delivery assembly includes a prosthetic device, a catheter shaft, a release wire, a first line, and a second line. The prosthetic device has a first arm and a second arm. The release wire extends through the catheter shaft. The first line includes a first loop. The first line extends from the catheter shaft, through the first arm of the prosthetic device, and to the release wire, where the release wire extends through the first loop. The second line includes a second loop. The second line extends from the catheter shaft, through the second arm of the prosthetic device, and to the release wire, where the release wire extends through the second loop.

A method of implanting a device in a heart includes inserting an implant into a blood vessel with a delivery apparatus. The implant includes a stent member and an adjustment member. The stent member is circumferentially expandable and contractible. The adjustment member is coupled to the stent member. The delivery apparatus includes a rotatable shaft and a locking mechanism coupled to an end portion of the shaft. The shaft of the delivery apparatus is releasably coupled to the adjustment member of the implant by the locking mechanism of the delivery apparatus. The method further includes positioning the implant at an implantation location within a heart by manipulating the delivery apparatus, and rotating the shaft of the delivery apparatus relative to the stent member of the implant to actuate the adjustment member of the implant. Actuating the adjustment member results in circumferential expansion or contraction of the stent member.

A stent for insertion into an intracranial blood vessel of the cerebral venous sinus system includes a proximal end, a distal end, a body between the proximal end and the distal end, the body comprising a plurality of wires in a closed pattern, wherein the stent is configured for insertion into an intracranial blood vessel of the cerebral venous sinus system. The stent is further capable of being repositioned, retrieved/re-sheathed, and removed for more precise delivery.

A stent with a common connection interface, and a method and platform used to create a stent with a common connection interface is described. A common connection interface used to connect a stent to a pusher is described.

A system for fracturing a frame of a deployed prosthesis with ultrasonic vibration includes a shaft, a tip assembly, an ultrasonic electric generator, and an ultrasonic transducer. The shaft includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The tip assembly is coupled to the distal portion of the shaft. The tip assembly includes a cutting edge. The ultrasonic transducer is electrically coupled to the ultrasonic generator. Ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic transducer is translated to the tip assembly. The cutting edge of the tip assembly is configured to focus the vibration of the tip assembly onto a frame of a deployed prosthesis to fracture the frame of the prosthesis. The ultrasonic transducer may be coupled to the proximal portion or the distal portion of the shaft.

Apparatus and methods are described herein for use in the delivery and deployment of a prosthetic mitral valve into a heart. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a catheter assembly, a valve holding tube and a handle assembly. The valve holding tube is releasably couplable to a proximal end portion of the catheter assembly and to a distal end portion of the handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a housing and a delivery rod. The delivery rod is configured to be actuated to move distally relative to the housing to move a prosthetic heart valve disposed within the valve holding tube out of the valve holding tube and distally within a lumen of the elongate sheath of the catheter assembly. The catheter assembly is configured to be actuated to move proximally relative to the housing such that the prosthetic valve is disposed outside of the lumen of the elongate sheath.

A branched graft method includes securing a first end of a branch graft into a first conduit and subsequently moving the second end into a second conduit. The first conduit may be a branch vessel, such as a renal artery and the second conduit may be a main graft that extends over an aortic aneurysm. The branch graft may be deployed starting at an offset distance from the first end, thereby preventing the deployed portion from insertion into the first conduit and predetermining the insertion length into the target vessel. The first end may then be deployed to secure the first end to the first conduit. A branch graft may be a self-expanding stent graft having one or more ripcords, and/or a serpentine ripcord that enables non-linear deployment of the branch graft, or deployment that does not progress from one end to the opposing end.