Described here are expandable devices and methods for using them. The devices generally comprise a hub and a plurality of legs extending therefrom. In some variations, the hub may comprise one or more domed portions, tapered portions, or the like. The legs may comprise one or more straight segments, one or more curved segments, or a combination thereof. The devices may comprise one or more polymers, and/or one or more portions of the device may be configured to biodegrade. In other variations, the device may be configured to release one or more drugs therefrom. Additionally, in some variations the devices may be configured to be self-expandable from a low-profile configuration to an expanded configuration.

An adjustable length medical device, such as a drainage stent, and delivery device for placing within the body, having an elongate tube and retention members at each end portion for anchoring the device in the body. The proximal portion of the device including the proximal retention member may be segmented in incremental portions so that the length of the device can be adjusted for placement.

An adjustable length medical device, such as a drainage stent, and delivery device for placing within the body, having an elongate tube and retention members at each end portion for anchoring the device in the body. The proximal portion of the device including the proximal retention member may be segmented in incremental portions so that the length of the device can be adjusted for placement.

Systems and methods for delivering a device for regulating blood pressure between a patient's left atrium and right atrium are provided. The delivery apparatus may include a first catheter, a hub having one or more engagers disposed thereon configured to releasably engage with a first expandable end of the shunt in a contracted delivery state within a lumen of a sheath, and a second catheter extending through a center lumen of the first catheter and the hub, wherein the first catheter, the hub, and the second catheter are independently moveable relative to the sheath. The inventive devices may reduce left atrial pressure and left ventricular end diastolic pressure, and may increase cardiac output, increase ejection fraction, relieve pulmonary congestion, and lower pulmonary artery pressure, among other benefits. The inventive devices may be used, for example, to treat subjects having heart failure, pulmonary congestion, or myocardial infarction, among other pathologies.

The disclosure provides a tubular stent comprising at least three primary elongate columns disposed around a circumference of the stent. The primary elongate columns substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stent. The stent further comprises at least two non-linear struts disposed between each pair of circumferentially adjacent primary columns, wherein each strut extends between the circumferentially adjacent primary columns. The stent is configured to adopt a first, unexpanded configuration and a second, expanded configuration in which the stent has a greater diameter than in the first, unexpanded configuration.

A connector for transfer of an implantable device from a loading tube to a delivery catheter, comprising: a first connecting portion (110) having a first distal end (120) configured to receive a delivery catheter (190); a second connecting portion (130) having a second proximal end (150) configured to receive a loading tube (180) extending towards the first distal end, the second connecting portion movably connected to the first connecting portion; and a biasing element (160) connecting the first and second connecting portions, having a relaxed configuration in which the first distal end and the second proximal end are spaced apart by a predetermined distance, and configured to bias the first distal end and second proximal end to the relaxed configuration when the first distal end and second proximal end are moved apart; such that when the loading tube is received, upon receiving the delivery catheter by the first connecting portion, the loading tube is biased to the delivery catheter to form a connection for the transfer of the implantable device.

A connector for transfer of an implantable device from a loading tube to a delivery catheter, comprising: a first connecting portion (110) having a first distal end (120) configured to receive a delivery catheter (190); a second connecting portion (130) having a second proximal end (150) configured to receive a loading tube (180) extending towards the first distal end, the second connecting portion movably connected to the first connecting portion; and a biasing element (160) connecting the first and second connecting portions, having a relaxed configuration in which the first distal end and the second proximal end are spaced apart by a predetermined distance, and configured to bias the first distal end and second proximal end to the relaxed configuration when the first distal end and second proximal end are moved apart; such that when the loading tube is received, upon receiving the delivery catheter by the first connecting portion, the loading tube is biased to the delivery catheter to form a connection for the transfer of the implantable device.

Apparatus is provided for treating heart failure, the apparatus including one or more propeller blades and a controller, which is configured to rotate the one or more propeller blades to produce continuous non-pulsatile blood flow not synchronized with a cardiac cycle of a subject. An intra-atrial anchor includes a stent surrounding the one or more propeller blades. The intra-atrial anchor is coupled to the one or more propeller blades and configured to be anchored in a left atrium of the subject so as to position the one or more propeller blades in the left atrium oriented such that the one or more propeller blades, when rotated by the controller, draw blood from the left atrium and expel the blood in the left atrium toward a mitral valve, thereby increasing atrial pressure above the mitral valve. Other embodiments are also described.

Apparatus is provided for treating heart failure, the apparatus including one or more propeller blades and a controller, which is configured to rotate the one or more propeller blades to produce continuous non-pulsatile blood flow not synchronized with a cardiac cycle of a subject. An intra-atrial anchor includes a stent surrounding the one or more propeller blades. The intra-atrial anchor is coupled to the one or more propeller blades and configured to be anchored in a left atrium of the subject so as to position the one or more propeller blades in the left atrium oriented such that the one or more propeller blades, when rotated by the controller, draw blood from the left atrium and expel the blood in the left atrium toward a mitral valve, thereby increasing atrial pressure above the mitral valve. Other embodiments are also described.

A stent system may include a stent including a first leg having a first end fixedly attached to the distal end of a main body portion and extending distally from the distal end of the main body portion in a deployed configuration, and a second leg having a first end fixedly attached to the distal end of the main body portion and extending distally from the distal end of the main body portion in the deployed configuration. The second leg may extend proximally from the distal end of the main body portion in a delivery configuration. A stent system may include a bifurcated delivery sheath and two guidewires for delivery of two stents at the same time. A method of treating a body lumen may include delivering a contrast fluid including an anti-gas agent while implanting a stent in the body lumen.