A tissue anchor is provided for delivery by a deployment tool in a constrained state, the tissue anchor including a shaft; a tissue-coupling element, which includes a wire including a shape-memory alloy; and a flexible elongate tension member, which is distinct from the wire. The flexible elongate tension member includes a distal portion that is fixed to a site on the wire such that, when the tissue anchor is not constrained by the deployment tool, the flexible elongate tension member applies, to the tissue-coupling element, tension that constrains lateral expansion of the tissue-coupling element away from a central longitudinal axis of the shaft, by preventing the tissue-coupling element from automatically assuming a predetermined shape provided by the shape-memory alloy of the wire. Other embodiments are also described.

Body lumen occlusion apparatus and methods are described.

An anchor assembly can include at least one anchor member, such as a pair of anchor members that are configured to be implanted in a target anatomical location in a first configuration, and can subsequently be actuated to an expanded configuration that secures the anchor members in the target anatomy. The anchor assembly can further include a connector member configured as a stitch lock that attaches the pair of anchor members together across a gap so as to approximate the anatomical defect.

A heart valve therapeutic device has an elongate anchor wherein the anchor has a stiffness to hold its shape and location to support the valve element. The anchor may have a stylet or a shaped or stiff collar arranged to provide a desired shape to the anchor and it may be lockable. A prosthetic valve element has leaflets and is supported on the anchor by coupler at a desired location. There is an actuator for changing relative axial position of the proximal and distal couplers on the anchor. The anchor stiffness may be sufficient to provide sufficient support to resist axial forces from the ventricle in use without necessarily having a fixing element engaging heart tissue. The prosthetic leaflets may extend proximally and radially outwardly, so that there is excellent co-apting of the native leaflets (NL) against the prosthetic leaflets.

An apparatus for transferring mechanical energy in a handle to a cartridge to manipulate tissue or anatomical structures within the body of a human or animal subject for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders.

The present teachings provide devices and methods of treating a tricuspid valve regurgitation. Specifically, one aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods of identifying a suitable location on the tricuspid annulus, another aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods of placing a wire across the tricuspid annulus at such an identified location, another aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods of deploying a tissue anchor across such an identified location, and yet another aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods of applying tension to two or more of such tissue anchors and reducing the circumference of the tricuspid annulus. As a result, a regurgitation jet is reduced or eliminated.

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 adjustability and retrievability years after implant. 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 utilise an adjustable bridge stop to secure the implant, and the methods of implantation employ various tools.

A system for treating a heart includes a catheter that is advanceable into a chamber of the heart and that is repositionable within the chamber between a septal wall and an external wall to enable penetration of the septal and external walls via a needle that is disposed within a lumen of the catheter. A first guidewire is deliverable through the penetration of the septal wall so that a distal end of the first guidewire is disposed within another chamber of the heart. A second guidewire is deliverable through the penetration of the external wall so that a distal end of the second guidewire is disposed externally of the external wall. The first guidewire is connectable to the second guidewire to join or form a path within the chamber that extends between the septal wall and the external wall.

A tissue anchor includes an anchor member formed from a generally flexible material. An activation member, which may be a tensioning member, causes proximal and distal end portions of the anchor member to move toward each other into a shortened configuration suitable for anchoring against the tissue. The tissue anchor can optionally be deployed and activated using a catheter device.

A cannula mounting fixture may include a base, a first arm with a first cannula mounting bracket and a second arm with a second cannula mounting bracket. The first arm may be coupled to the base so that a first cannula mounted at the first mounting bracket is positioned within an opening in a patient's body. The second arm may be coupled to the base and includes a joint that allows a second cannula mounted at the second mounting bracket to be inserted through the opening. A cannula stabilizing fixture may include a base and a repositionable arm. The base may be configured to be securely and removably coupled to a first cannula that extends into an opening in a patient's body. The repositionable arm may include a first cannula holder coupled to the base and is configured to support a second cannula that extends into the opening.