A minimally invasively implanted anchor support for securing a medical device to a heart wall including an anchoring member and an expandable distal anchor restraint which is implanted through the anchoring member, through the heart wall, and expands on the opposing heart wall side to anchor a medical device. A single-stage anchor system includes the distal flange and a two-stage anchor system includes the distal flange and a proximal flange which cooperates with the distal flange to secure a medical device to the heart wall and methods of a single-stage anchor system and a two-stage anchor system.

Systems and methods for implanting a shunt for regulating blood pressure between a patient's left and right atria are provided. The shunt comprises an anchor having a neck region, first and second end regions, and a conduit affixed with the anchor formed of a biocompatible material that is resistant to transmural and translation tissue ingrowth and that reduces a risk of paradoxical embolism. The shunt may be advanced through the sheath until the first region protrudes from the sheath and self-expands within the left atrium. The shunt and the sheath may then be retracted until the first region contacts the left side of the atrial septum. The sheath may further be retracted until the counterforce exerted by shunt tension on the atrial septum overcomes the friction of the retained portions of the shunt such that the second region is exposed from the sheath and self-expands within the second atrium.

Methods and systems for closing an opening or defect in tissue, closing a lumen or tubular structure, cinching or remodeling a cavity or repairing a valve preferably utilizing a purse string or elastic device. The preferred devices and methods are directed toward catheter-based percutaneous, transvascular techniques used to facilitate placement of the devices within lumens, such as blood vessels, or on or within the heart to perform structural defect repair, such as valvular or ventricular remodeling. In some methods, the catheter is positioned within the right ventricle, wherein the myocardial wall or left ventricle may be accessed through the septal wall to position a device configured to permit reshaping of the ventricle. The device may include a line or a plurality of anchors interconnected by a line. In one arrangement, the line is a coiled member.

A device comprising a three-dimensional polymeric element and an electronic element integrated with the polymeric element is disclosed. The electronic element is made up of one or more electrode(s) each individually connectable to a measuring device and/or a controller, and each independently having a thin electrically-isolating layer deposited thereon such that the electrode is exposed to an environment surrounding the electrode at one or more pre-determined locations over the electrode. The device can include cells and/or tissue and/or a therapeutically active agent incorporated within the polymeric material. Processes of fabricating the device, systems for operating the device and methods utilizing same are also disclosed.

A method for improving leaflet prolapse and/or valve regurgitation associated with a heart valve involves delivering a spacer device into a ventricle of a heart using a delivery system comprising a catheter, fixing the spacer device to a wall of the ventricle, expanding the spacer device to reposition a papillary muscle disposed in the ventricle away from the wall, the papillary muscle being connected to a leaflet of an atrioventricular heart valve via chordae tendineae, and releasing the spacer device from the catheter.

Methods and systems for closing an opening or defect in tissue, closing a lumen or tubular structure, cinching or remodeling a cavity or repairing a valve preferably utilizing a purse string or elastic device. The preferred devices and methods are directed toward catheter-based percutaneous, transvascular techniques used to facilitate placement of the devices within lumens, such as blood vessels, or on or within the heart to perform structural defect repair, such as valvular or ventricular remodeling. In some methods, the catheter is positioned within the right ventricle, wherein the myocardial wall or left ventricle may be accessed through the septal wall to position a device configured to permit reshaping of the ventricle. The device may include a line or a plurality of anchors interconnected by a line. In one arrangement, the line is a coiled member.

Methods and systems for closing an opening or defect in tissue, closing a lumen or tubular structure, cinching or remodeling a cavity or repairing a valve preferably utilizing a purse string or elastic device. The preferred devices and methods are directed toward catheter-based percutaneous, transvascular techniques used to facilitate placement of the devices within lumens, such as blood vessels, or on or within the heart to perform structural defect repair, such as valvular or ventricular remodeling. In some methods, the catheter is positioned within the right ventricle, wherein the myocardial wall or left ventricle may be accessed through the septal wall to position a device configured to permit reshaping of the ventricle. The device may include a line or a plurality of anchors interconnected by a line. In one arrangement, the line is a coiled member.

Systems and methods for modifying a heart valve annulus in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. A helical anchor is provided, having a memory set to a coiled shape or state. The helical anchor is further configured to self-revert from a substantially straight state to the coiled state. The helical anchor is loaded within a needle that constrains the helical anchor to the substantially straight state. The needle is delivered to the valve annulus and inserted into tissue of the annulus. The helical anchor is then deployed from the needle (e.g., the needle is retracted from over the helical anchor). Once deployed, the helical anchor self-transitions toward the coiled shape, cinching engaged tissue of the valve annulus.

A shunt for regulating blood pressure between a patient's left atrium and right atrium comprises an anchor comprising a neck region, first and second end regions, and a conduit affixed with the anchor that formed of a biocompatible material that is resistant to transmural and translation tissue ingrowth and that reduces a risk of paradoxical embolism.

A method for improving leaflet prolapse and/or valve regurgitation associated with a heart valve involves delivering a spacer device into a ventricle of a heart using a delivery system comprising a catheter, fixing the spacer device to a wall of the ventricle, expanding the spacer device to reposition a papillary muscle disposed in the ventricle away from the wall, the papillary muscle being connected to a leaflet of an atrioventricular heart valve via chordae tendineae, and releasing the spacer device from the catheter.