System for fixation of leaflets of a heart valve including a delivery catheter having an elongated shaft, a proximal end portion and a distal end portion configured to be positioned proximate native leaflets of a heart valve from a remote vascular access point, the delivery catheter further includes a rotatable actuator rod having a threaded fastener at a distal end thereof, and a fixation device releasably coupled by a threaded connection to the threaded fastener of the actuator rod. The fixation device includes a first arm moveable between a closed position and an open position, a second arm moveable between a closed position and an open position. The fixation device further includes a first gripping element movable relative to the first arm in the open position, the first gripping element biased toward the first arm to capture a first leaflet of the heart valve therebetween, and a second gripping element movable relative to the second arm in the open position, the second gripping element biased toward the second arm to capture a second leaflet of the heart valve therebetween. The first gripping element and the second gripping element each includes a plurality of barbs extending therefrom, the plurality of barbs of each of the first gripping element and the second gripping element being aligned transversely in at least one row. The fixation device further includes a covering disposed on each of the first gripping element and the second gripping element, wherein the plurality of barbs of the first gripping element and the second gripping element, respectively, protrude through the covering.

System for fixation of leaflets of a heart valve including a delivery catheter having an elongated shaft, a proximal end portion and a distal end portion configured to be positioned proximate native leaflets of a heart valve from a remote vascular access point, and a fixation device releasably coupled to the delivery catheter. The fixation device includes a first arm moveable between a closed position and an open position, and a second arm moveable between a closed position and an open position. The fixation device further includes a first gripping element movable relative to the first arm in the open position, the first gripping element biased toward the first arm to capture a first leaflet of the heart valve therebetween, and a second gripping element movable relative to the second arm in the open position, the second gripping element biased toward the second arm to capture a second leaflet of the heart valve therebetween. The first gripping element and the second gripping element each include a plurality of barbs extending therefrom, the plurality of barbs of each of the first gripping element and the second gripping element being aligned transversely in at least one row. The fixation device further includes a covering disposed on each of the first gripping element and the second gripping element, wherein the plurality of barbs of the first gripping element and the second gripping element, respectively, protrude through the covering.

In certain embodiments, a device is configured to be compressed and inserted into the distal end of an endoscope. The delivery device can be configured to deliver the delivery catheter to the site of one or more fistulas in the wall of a body cavity or lumen within a patient. The delivery catheter is configured to deliver the device to the site of the one or more fistulas. The device is configured to expand at the site of the one or more fistulas and substantially seal the fistula in one or more directions. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the device is coated with and/or constructed of biocompatible material. In some configurations, the device is configured to be implanted for an extended period of time or even permanently. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the device is constructed of biodegradable, dissolvable and/or bioabsorbable material.

The invention provides devices, systems and methods for tissue approximation and repair at treatment sites. The devices, systems and methods of the invention will find use in a variety of therapeutic procedures, including endovascular, minimally-invasive, and open surgical procedures, and can be used in various anatomical regions, including the abdomen, thorax, cardiovascular system, heart, intestinal tract, stomach, urinary tract, bladder, lung, and other organs, vessels, and tissues. The invention is particularly useful in those procedures requiring minimally-invasive or endovascular access to remote tissue locations, where the instruments utilized must negotiate long, narrow, and tortuous pathways to the treatment site. In addition, many of the devices and systems of the invention are adapted to be reversible and removable from the patient at any point without interference with or trauma to internal tissues.

Implants or systems of implants and methods apply a selected force vector or a selected combination of force vectors within or across the left atrium, which allow mitral valve leaflets to better coapt. The implants or systems of implants and methods make possible rapid deployment, facile endovascular delivery, and full intra-atrial retrievability. The implants or systems of implants and methods also make use of strong fluoroscopic landmarks. The implants or systems of implants and methods make use of an adjustable implant and a fixed length implant. The implants or systems of implants and methods may also utilize a bridge stop to secure the implant, and the methods of implantation employ various tools.

Systems and methods for accessing, stabilizing and sealing a device attached to a tissue surface comprising a tissue attaching device having an outer base ring defining an opening therethrough and a distally projecting tissue attachment element. The systems variously utilize annular sealing flanges distally attached to the outer base ring outside or inside the tissue attachment element to create a fluid tight seal. The systems variously utilize coils with regions of differing pitch to create sealing tissue pressure. Methods for installing an apical attaching device with a transapical port into a patient, comprising assessing the patient's viability for installation of the apical attaching device by determining an Index of Tissue Elasticity (ITE).

Systems and methods for accessing, stabilizing and sealing a device attached to a tissue surface comprising a tissue attaching device having an outer base ring defining an opening therethrough and a distally projecting tissue attachment element. The systems variously utilize annular sealing flanges distally attached to the outer base ring outside or inside the tissue attachment element to create a fluid tight seal. The systems variously utilize coils with regions of differing pitch to create sealing tissue pressure. Methods for installing an apical attaching device with a transapical port into a patient, comprising assessing the patient's viability for installation of the apical attaching device by determining an Index of Tissue Elasticity (ITE).

Disclosed is a plug for amniotic recovery including a body part which blocks a wounded part of an amniotic membrane to recover the wounded part and a shock-absorbing part which is provided at one end of at least one of both ends in an insertion direction of the body part to absorb a shock by external force.

A vascular closure device, having an insertion sheath and a vascular closure implant positioned at least partially in the insertion sheath. The vascular closure implant may have an anchor element, the anchor element including an expandable material, a first puncture contact portion, a bend portion connected to the first puncture contact portion, the bend portion including a bend, and a second puncture contact portion connected to the bend portion. The vascular closure implant may also include a plug element coupled to the bend portion of the anchor element. The anchor element may be formed of an expandable material having the same or a different expansion rate than a material forming the plug element. The vascular closure device may additionally include a locator tube having a vessel locator positioned at least partially in the locator tube. The vessel locator may also have an elongated member that includes a superelastic material.

Disclosed herein is a non-vascular fistula treatment system. The system may include a collapsible member, at least one tether, and a bioresorbable material. The collapsible member may be configured for positioning through a fistula tract and may comprise first and second disc members. The outer perimeter of the second disc member may be larger than the outer perimeter of the first disc member, and the first disc member may comprise a tether attachment structure. The at least one tether may be attached to the tether attachment structure. The bioresorbable material may be configured for placement in the fistula tract and may comprise a coupling structure configured to couple to the at least one tether. The second disc member may be configured to seal to a surface of a body lumen at a distal opening of the fistula tract and occlude the fistula tract at the distal opening.