A sizing device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve, the sizing device includes a collapsible and expandable balloon having a proximal end, a distal end. At least one microelectromechanical sensor is coupled to the balloon, the at least one sensor being capable of measuring information related to size and stiffness of tissue.

A method of crimping a stent is disclosed. The stent includes a minimum crimped diameter such that in the minimum crimped diameter, a pair of stent rings, between which marker support structures reside, do not make contact with the marker support structures. The crimped profile of the stent of the present invention can be as small as the crimped profile of a same stent but without the maker support structures.

Assemblies are provided comprising a stent and a sensor positioned on and/or in the stent. Within certain aspects the sensors are wireless sensors, and include for example one or more fluid pressure sensors, contact sensors, position sensors, accelerometers, pulse pressure sensors, blood volume sensors, blood flow sensors, blood chemistry sensors, blood metabolic sensors, mechanical stress sensors and/or temperature sensors. Within certain aspects these stents may be utilized to assist in stent placement, monitor stent function, identify complications of stent treatment, monitor physiologic parameters and/or medically image a body passageway, e.g., a vascular lumen.

The present disclosure relates to the field of endoscopy. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods which allow the distal portion of a catheter to be visualized within the body using a colored marker and one or more secondary markers. In particular, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods which indicate when a medical device is properly positioned for deployment within a body lumen.

Devices and methods for providing localized pressure to a region of a patient's heart to improve heart functioning. The devices include a cardiac jacket made of a flexible biocompatible material and at least one inflatable bladder disposed on an interior surface of the jacket. Inflation of the bladder causes the bladder to expand to exert localized pressure against a region of the heart. In some cases, a phase-change material is filled into the bladder as a liquid and the material solidifies at body temperature. In some cases, a positioning tool is used prior to the implantation of the jacket in order to determine effective positions for the inflatable bladder(s) to be located on the heart to improve heart functioning.

An ultrasound-enabled invasive medical device and a method of manufacturing the ultrasound-enabled invasive medical device. The ultrasound-enabled invasive medical device includes an invasive medical device, an electrical trace deposited either directly on the surface of the invasive medical device or onto an insulating layer covering at least a portion of the surface of the invasive medical device, where the electrical trace is deposited during an additive manufacturing process. The ultrasound-enabled invasive medical device includes an ultrasound transducer assembly attached to the invasive medical device and electrically connected to the electrical trace, and a transducer support structure attached to the invasive medical device, where the transducer support structure defines a nest that is adapted to receive the ultrasound transducer assembly.

A delivery system for an implantable medical device includes an outer shaft defining an outer shaft lumen and an inner shaft translatable within the outer shaft lumen, the inner shaft defining a lumen extending through the inner shaft. An actuation mechanism extends through the lumen and includes a coupler, a force translation rod that extends proximally from the coupler and a plurality of push pull rods that extend distally from the coupler and that releasably couple to the implantable medical device. The force translation rod includes a transition in electromagnetic permeability. The delivery system includes an inductive coil disposed relative to the force translation rod and positioned to detect a change in inductance resulting from the transition in electromagnetic permeability passing through the inductive coil.

A method for controlling an artificial orthotic or prosthetic knee joint, on which a lower-leg component is arranged and with which a resistance device is associated, the bending resistance (R) of which resistance device is changed in dependence on sensor data that are determined by means of at least one sensor during the use of the orthotic or prosthetic knee joint, wherein a linear acceleration (a.sub.F) of the lower-leg component is determined, the determined linear acceleration (a.sub.F) is compared with at least one threshold value, and, if a threshold value of the linear acceleration (a.sub.F) of the lower-leg component is reached, the bending resistance (R) is changed.

Medical devices coupled to a sensor, and systems including such devices, can generate data and analysis based on that data, which may be used to identify and/or address problems associated with the implanted medical device, including incorrect placement of the device, unanticipated degradation of the device, and undesired movement of the device. Also provided are medical devices coupled to a sensor, and devices and methods to address problems that have been identified with an implanted medical device.

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems and methods that include arranging an acute alteration of blood flow in, for example, heart failure patients.