A medical implant (20) includes first and second ring members (22, 24), each including a resilient framework (26) having a generally cylindrical form. A tubular sleeve (28) is fixed to the first and second ring members so as to hold the ring members in mutual longitudinal alignment, thereby defining a lumen (32) passing through the ring members. A constricting element (30) is fit around the sleeve at a location intermediate the first and second ring members so as to reduce a diameter of the lumen at the location.

A replacement valve has an expandable frame configured to engage a native valve and a valve body mounted to the expandable frame. The valve body can have a plurality of valve leaflets configured to open to allow flow in a first direction and engage one another so as to close and prevent flow in a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction.

A stent graft delivery system includes a stent graft and a thermal stent graft cutter for shortening the stent graft to a desired length in vivo. The thermal stent graft cutter is coupled to at least one of a stent graft cover at a distal longitudinal end of a cover body thereof, and the inner lumen tip of an inner lumen. A safety system allows activation of the stent graft cutter only when the stent graft is suitably sandwiched between the inner lumen tip and the distal end of the stent graft cover to inhibit inadvertent activation of the cutter and provide for proper cutting of the stent graft.

A method of inflating a catheter balloon may include providing a balloon assembly operable to provide a balloon diameter vs. balloon pressure profile generally depicting a balloon inflation sequence providing at least one intermediate inflated diameter and a final inflated diameter of a balloon such that the balloon attains the at least one intermediate diameter at a predetermined pressure, and attains the final diameter at a final predetermined pressure that is lower than a predetermined pressure of a last intermediate pressure.

The invention relates to a novel medical apparatus for treatment of obesity, diabetes, and/or other obesity-associated health problems. The apparatus is used to impede absorption of nutrients within the gastrointestinal tract, i.e., substantially isolating nutrients from a portion of the gastrointestinal tract. The apparatus can be implanted using minimally invasive techniques, such a transesophageal approach under visualization. More specifically, the apparatus is used to impede absorption of nutrients within the gastrointestinal tract, i.e., substantially isolating nutrients from a portion of the gastrointestinal tract. The apparatus may include a sleeve and at least one anchoring component attached to the sleeve with a releasable component. The sleeve may have different properties along its length or there may be multiple sleeves having different properties.

A system and method of delivering and detaching an implant within a body of a patient is described. A tether connects an implant with a delivery device. The delivery device includes a heater coil through which the tether passes. The inner diameter of the heater coil is about the same size or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the tether, allowing the tether to more efficiently break the tether during delivery.

A stent includes a plurality of rings which form a tubular scaffold. The rings include an elongation mechanism which allows for further expansion of the stent.

A method for delivering a platform for reinforcing an annulus of a mitral valve: Passing a catheter having a sheath covering a tube formed from a metal into the left atrium, the tube including: an annular portion defining at least one opening, a plurality of upper elements attached to an upper perimeter of the annular portion and extending axially, and a plurality of lower elements attached to a lower perimeter of the annular portion. Inserting the tube into the annulus of the mitral valve; withdrawing the sheath, but leaving the sheath covering the annular portion and the upper elements; bending the lower elements until the lower elements extend radially so as to be positioned beneath the mitral valve; then withdrawing the sheath from covering the annular portion and the upper elements; bending the upper elements until the upper elements extend radially so as to be positioned above the mitral valve.

A stent includes a tubular body possessing a plurality of gaps. The tubular body includes a plurality of circumferentially extending linear struts. The stent includes a plurality of links connecting the linear struts. At least one of the links has first and second connection portions. The first connection portion is integrally formed with one strut, and the second connection portion is integrally formed with an adjacent strut. The stent includes a biodegradable material between the first connection portion and the second connection portion to connect the first and second connection portions to each other. The biodegradable material restrains the one strut and the adjacent strut from moving to their original shapes. The first and second connection portions move relative to one another in a separation direction when a connection by the biodegradable material is released so that the original shapes of the struts are restored.

Disclosed embodiments and methods provide solutions for coupling and decoupling of a delivery device from a stented prosthetic heart valve with one or more release mechanisms. In situations when one or more sutures get tangled or caught upon attempted retraction of the delivery device and sutures after deployment of the stented prosthetic heart valve, a secondary release mechanism can be provided to sever the suture(s) or release the suture(s) from the delivery device. Exemplary secondary release mechanisms include high resistance inserts, cutters and balloon expandable devices. Methods of releasing the sutures from the delivery device or severing the suture(s) are also disclosed.