Devices, systems and methods are described herein for sealing openings in an anatomical wall. A sealing system includes an elongate tubular support for delivery to an anatomical opening to be sealed, a cover of bio-compatible material covering a distal portion of the tubular support, and an anchor assembly, the anchor assembly being designed to secure the cover material to the opening. The anchor assembly can include a plurality of distal anchors and a plurality of proximal anchors, a button, ring or donut, and/or a C-clip. In some embodiments, the system further comprises a closure member for closing off an end of the cover material after removal of the tubular support.

Among other things, methods and apparatus for inserting devices for closing tissue openings are disclosed. Examples may include a handle, sheath and/or sleeve for insertion into a patient and through or adjacent a tissue defect, fistula, or other tissue opening to be closed. Winding mechanisms for operation in or with such inserting devices are also described.

Disclosed herein are devices and methods for repairing a heart defect. The disclosed devices, comprising a biodegradable gel and a biodegradable mesh scaffold, enhance cellular infiltration, vascularization, and degredation, while reducing fibrosis and rejection. In many embodiments, the mesh scaffold comprises one or more of polycaprolactone, gelatin, and polyurethane, and the gel comprises a biologically active compound decorated with polyethylene glycol. The disclosed heart patch devices possess elasticity and strength similar existing patch products derived from mammalian pericardium.

A method and apparatus for suture-less placement of an occluding patch in which release of the device can be accelerated. In one embodiment, an inactive form of an adhesive is applied on the area of the patch that will come into contact with cardiac tissue; this allows for the introduction and necessary manipulation of the catheter system until activation of the adhesive occurs. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the adhesive properties of certain polymeric materials are relied upon rather than their ability to cure or harden into a specific shape. In another embodiment, the patch is immediately released utilizing a detaching mechanism on the balloon or the balloon catheter which supports the patch; the patch along with the inflated balloon remain on the cardiac structure occluding the opening.

Catheter based systems for isolated stenting of an intravascular lesion can include two expandable occlusion devices with a balloon expandable stent or self-expanding stent therebetween. Expandable occlusion devices can be expanded in a distal direction and a proximal direction in relation to the lesion to occlude vasculature. A treatment agent can be injected into a cavity formed between the expandable occlusion device. A coating can be applied to one or both occlusion devices to prevent adherence to the treatment agent. The stent can be deployed across the lesion while the occlusion devices are in place. Fragments dislodged during stenting can be aspirated.

A system for endovascularly sealing a perforation of a blood vessel is provided. The system includes a seal configured to radially expand from a constricted configuration to an expanded configuration. In embodiments, the seal is biased to expand to the expanded configuration. The seal includes (i) a covered region including a blood-impermeable cover configured to seal the perforation, and (ii) an uncovered region that is located axially adjacent the covered region, does not include the blood-impermeable cover, and is configured to enable distal blood flow through the seal. In some embodiments, the system further includes a cylindrical sheath disposed about the seal in the constricted configuration and configured to slide axially along an outer surface of the seal to enable the seal to expand from the constricted configuration to the expanded configuration.

Suturing devices and systems used to close openings into a biological structure. The suturing device can comprise an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, one or more arms, and one or more needles. One or more sheaths may be used with the device to maintain or substantially maintain haemostasis while the device is used and while a procedure is performed in the biological structure.

Multiple vascular wall penetrations are formed and sealed in a single blood vessel, typically a vein, for performing cardiac and other catheter-based procedures. Access sheaths are placed in two or more tissue tracts each having a vascular wall penetration at a distal end and into a lumen of the blood vessel. A catheter is advanced though each of the access sheaths to perform a therapeutic or diagnostic procedure. A vascular closure device is introduced through each access sheath, typically sequentially, and an occlusion element at a distal end of the device is deployed against an inner wall of the blood vessel in a manner so that the adjacent access sheath does not interfere or overlap with the deployed occlusion element. The vascular penetration at the distal end in that tissue tract may then be sealed prior to using another vascular closure device to seal a caudally adjacent vascular wall penetration.

A method for delivery and deployment of a prosthetic mitral valve into a heart includes inserting an introducer sheath having a prosthetic mitral valve disposed therein in a collapsed configuration into the left atrium of a patient's heart, through a gap between the native mitral valve leaflets, the left ventricle and apex of the heart. An epicardial pad device coupled to the prosthetic valve via a tether is moved distally out of the sheath. The introducer sheath is withdrawn into the left atrium of the heart. An inner delivery sheath is extended distally from within the introducer sheath and disposed within the left atrium. The prosthetic mitral valve is moved distally out of the inner delivery sheath and assumes a biased expanded configuration. The valve is positioned within the mitral annulus of the heart, and secured in place via the tether and epicardial pad device.

A delivery system, including an inner member, an outer tube surrounding the inner member and movable axially relative to the inner member, wherein a space is defined between an outer surface of the inner member and an inner surface of the outer tube, an expandable element disposed in the space at a distal portion of the system, and a patch disposed in the space at the distal portion of the system, wherein the patch is radially outward of the expandable element.