An apparatus for augmenting the length of native chordae tendineae to restore physiological leaflet coaptation. The apparatus includes a delivery device having a lumen therein which at least partially houses a prosthetic cord. The prosthetic cord has a first end with a first clasp configured to attach to a native chordae tendineae and a second end with a second clasp configured to attach to the native chordae tendineae. The native chordae tendineae is severed between the first clasp and the second clasp, and the length of the prosthetic cord between the first clasp and the second clasp is adjusted until physiological leaflet coaptation is restored.

A valve prosthesis and a system for delivering a valve prosthesis are described herein. The system can include a support frame, a valve anchor comprising an anchoring leg and a plurality of U-shaped members, and a connection member coupled to the support frame and slidably coupled to the anchoring leg.

A method for use with a heart of a subject includes advancing a tool distally along a flexible elongate contracting member, toward an anchor implanted at the heart. Tension is applied to the contracting member such that the contracting member slides proximally through a fastener disposed at the heart while a stop coupled to the fastener maintains the fastener in an open state. Using the tool, the stop is pulled proximally (i) away from the fastener, such that the fastener responsively clamps to the contracting member, thereby locking the tension in the contracting member, and (ii) against a cutting element of the tool such that the cutting element moves in a manner that severs the contracting member. Other embodiments are also described.

The invention relates to a device for use in the transcatheter treatment of mitral valve regurgitation, specifically a coaptation assistance element for implantation across the valve; a system including the coaptation assistance element and anchors for implantation; a system including the coaptation assistance element and delivery catheter; and a method for transcatheter implantation of a coaptation element across a heart valve.

The present disclosure relates to heart valve prostheses, delivery devices, actuation handles, and other improved devices and methods that facilitate delivery of a heart valve prosthesis to a defective native valve structure in a patient, such as the aortic valve.

An implant removal device having an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate body being resiliently flexible and configured to transmit torque from the proximal end to the distal end with a predetermined turning ratio, and a capturing structure extending distally from the distal end and having a capture region, the capturing structure being configured to selectively center a deployed implant in relation to a longitudinal axis of the elongate body and the capture region to aid with capture and subsequent removal.

The present invention relates to devices and methods for improving the function of a defective heart valve, and particularly for reducing regurgitation through an atrioventricular heart valve—i.e., the mitral valve and the tricuspid valve. For a tricuspid repair, the device includes an anchor deployed in the tissue of the right ventricle, in an orifice opening to the right atrium, or anchored to the tricuspid valve. A flexible anchor rail connects to the anchor and a coaptation element on a catheter rides over the anchor rail. The catheter attaches to the proximal end of the coaptation element, and a locking mechanism fixes the position of the coaptation element relative to the anchor rail. Finally, there is a proximal anchoring feature to fix the proximal end of the coaptation catheter subcutaneously adjacent the subclavian vein. The coaptation element includes an inert covering and helps reduce regurgitation through contact with the valve leaflets.

An exemplary valve repair device for repairing a native valve of a patient includes: a coaption element formed from a strip of material; a pair of extension members; a pair of paddles formed from the strip of material and connected to the coaption element; and a cap attached to the paddles. The paddles are movable between an open position and a closed position, are disposed over the extension member, and are configured to attach to the native valve of the patient. Movement of the cap toward the coaption element causes the pair of paddles to move to the closed position, and movement of the cap away from the coaption element causes the pair of paddles to move to the open position. The cap has a retention body for receiving attachment portions of the extension members, a retaining nut, and a retaining bolt for securing the retaining nut.

A connecting structure of a stent and a valve leaflet is configured such that the stent is a metal mesh tube and the valve leaflets are three fan-shaped valve leaflets arranged on the inner side of the stent. Each of the three fan-shaped valve leaflets has a free edge, an arc-shaped bottom edge and valve leaflet junction connecting parts extending on two sides. Three connecting posts are uniformly distributed on the metal mesh tube. The junction connecting part of the fan-shaped valve leaflets includes a radial overturning connecting part and an axial overturning connecting part. The radial overturning connecting part of each fan-shaped valve leaflet penetrates through the connecting post from the inner side to the outer side then folds. After the inner side of the connecting post is folded, the axial overturning connecting part is connected and fixed to the connecting post through a suture.

The present invention relates to a stent for interventional valve-in-valve, wherein the stent is a metal mesh tube, and is provided with four rows of transversely extending circumferential struts and a plurality of columns of axial struts arranged between the circumferential struts; the axial struts in each row are arranged in a staggered mode, the axial struts are connected with transverse struts attached thereon to form a staggered honeycomb meshes, the area of honeycomb meshes at the inflow end is basically the same as that of the honeycomb meshes in the middle row, and the area of honeycomb meshes at the outflow end is slightly larger than that of the honeycomb meshes in the other three rows. According to a stent for an interventional valve-in-valve provided herein, in view of the specialty that interventional valve-in-valves are implanted into the previously implanted damaged surgical valve or interventional valve by intervention and in close attachment with the failed valve, the subversive improvement is carried out on the conventional interventional valve stent, with all meshes of the stent adopting honeycomb-like structures, so that the stent with the structure can realize certain rigidity, has high synchronous deployment speed, good attachment, and better use effect.