Delivery systems (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) including a delivery device (130, 230, 330, 430, 530) having a catheter (132, 133, 232, 233, 332, 333, 432, 433, 532) and a stabilization device (150, 250, 350, 450, 550), the delivery device configured for delivering an apparatus to a left atrium (20) of a patient via the patient's vasculature. The stabilization device has a delivery position in which the stabilization device is collapsed against the catheter and a deployed position in which the stabilization device expands to engage and support the catheter within the vasculature, for example, within the vena cava (14) proximate the right atrium (16). In various embodiments, the delivery device functions as an introducer though which a second delivery device carrying the apparatus is inserted. Methods of accessing the left atrium with the delivery systems and devices are also disclosed.

A prosthesis delivery device having a cannula with an expandable positioning device disposed at the proximal end thereof is disclosed. A prosthesis is retained on the cannula distal of the expandable device. Expansion of the expandable device retains and centers the delivery device and the prosthesis carried thereon in the vessel and allows repositioning of the prosthesis without contacting the proximal end of the prosthesis with the vessel walls prior to deployment.

An optical therapeutic apparatus includes: a liquid discharge catheter including a first tubular member; a balloon catheter including a shaft, a balloon and a second tubular member; and a light irradiation body. The balloon is positioned such that the balloon is exposed from a distal end of the liquid discharge catheter by bringing the second tubular member into contact with the first tubular member.

In some examples, a catheter includes one or more balloons that, when inflated, are configured to be apposition with vasculature or other hollow anatomical structure of a patient to help anchor the catheter within the vasculature, while still permitting fluid to flow past the inflated balloons. When inflated, the one or more balloons define one or more passageways configured to enable fluid to flow past the inflated balloons in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the catheter. For example, the catheter may comprise a plurality of balloons that are circumferentially and longitudinally staggered relative to each other.

A medical device including both an intraluminal imaging apparatus and dual guidewire lumens is provided, allowing more accurate and stable catheter navigation and treatment delivery. The dual lumen catheter may also include members for increased torsional rigidity, distally located functional measurement sensors, and patterned radioopaque markers for orientation of the dual lumen exits.

A device for manipulating tissue at a vessel includes an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end, a guide member at the distal end of the elongated member, the guide member having a blunt distal tip for engagement against an interior wall of the vessel, and a tissue cutting device at the distal end of the elongated member, wherein the tissue cutting device has a sharp tip that is proximal to the blunt distal tip of the guide member.

A catheter device and method are disclosed for transvascular delivery of a medical device to a cardiac valve region of a patient. The catheter device comprises an elongate sheath with releasable locking members for controllably locking the elongate sheath in a shape at least partly along its length from a relaxed state to a locked state when positioned in relation to a cardiac valve. Furthermore, alignment members are provided to provide for a desired positioning in relation to the cardiac valve. Embolic protection is further provided.

Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for repairing heart valves through percutaneous transcatheter delivery and fixation of annuloplasty rings to heart valves via a trans-apical approach to accessing the heart. A guiding sheath may be introduced into a ventricle of the heart through an access site at an apex of the heart. A distal end of the guiding sheath can be positioned retrograde through the target valve. An annuloplasty ring arranged in a compressed delivery geometry is advanced through the guiding sheath and into a distal portion of the guiding sheath positioned within the atrium of the heart. The distal end of the guiding sheath is retracted, thereby exposing the annuloplasty ring. The annuloplasty ring may be expanded from the delivery geometry to an operable geometry. Anchors on the annuloplasty ring may be deployed to press into and engage tissue of the annulus of the target valve.

A device for manipulating tissue at a vessel includes an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end, a guide member at the distal end of the elongated member, the guide member having a blunt distal tip for engagement against an interior wall of the vessel, and a tissue cutting device at the distal end of the elongated member, wherein the tissue cutting device has a sharp tip that is proximal to the blunt distal tip of the guide member.

Example embodiments relate to endoscopic systems. Endoscopic system includes main body and control section. Control section includes extendible section that extends and contracts to change length between extendible section ends. Control section includes first expandable member. When first expandable member is in an expanded configuration, first expandable member includes proximal side wall and distal side wall. Distal side wall of first expandable member includes first protrusions. Control section includes second expandable member. When second expandable member is in an expanded configuration, second expandable member includes distal side wall and proximal side wall. Proximal side wall of second expandable member includes second protrusions. First and second protrusions configurable to cooperate to form a sieve portion between first and second expandable members. The sieve portion configured to reduce an occurrence of solids blocking pressure openings while allowing negative pressure to be applied to a body cavity wall through the pressure openings.