A method of assisting a heart for the operation of a ventricular assist device comprising the steps of implanting a cannula to the heart and deploying a stent within a left ventricle, a right ventricle, a left atrium, or a right atrium of the heart. The stent may be transferable from a first compact configuration to a second open configuration to facilitate implantation. The stent may also have a flared distal end to assist with alignment, positioning, and prevent outgrowth.

A stent is disclosed that has an elongated body composed of a bioabsorbable polymer having a proximal end, a distal end, two open spiral channels formed on the exterior surface of the body to provide fluid communication between the proximal end and the distal end. The stent also has a central lumen open at the proximal and distal ends of the stent for the passage of a guide wire. A method for using the stent and a kit containing the stent are also disclosed.

A stent is disclosed that has an elongated body composed of a bioabsorbable polymer having a proximal end, a distal end, two open spiral channels formed on the exterior surface of the body to provide fluid communication between the proximal end and the distal end. The stent also has a central lumen open at the proximal and distal ends of the stent for the passage of a guide wire. A method for using the stent and a kit containing the stent are also disclosed.

Devices for loading intravascular treatment devices into a sheath and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A sheathing tool may include, for example, a first channel extending to a first opening, the first channel configured to receive a treatment device in a constrained state therethrough. The treatment device may include an elongated member and a first element and a second element at a distal region of the elongated member. The second channel may extend to a second opening, the second opening surrounded by a sidewall and configured to receive the treatment device in the constrained state therethrough, wherein the second opening is spaced apart from the first opening by a gap, and wherein a length of the gap is great enough to allow the first element to self-expand over the sidewall while the second element generally maintains its diameter in the constrained state while crossing the gap.

A vascular shunt frame with improved apposition including a main body tube; at least one end of the main body tube is provided with a sealing covering; the sealing covering is provided with a main blood flow opening; a shaping component is disposed at the edge of the main blood flow opening. When the main body stent is inserted into the main blood flow opening of the main body tube, the shaping component can be closely attached to the outer surface of the main body stent, such that the sealing covering closely fits the outer surface of the main body stent to prevent endoleaks. The present disclosure also provides a vascular stent provided with an apposition-improved vascular shunt frame.

Systems and methods are provided for extravascularly bypassing an occlusion within a patient's blood vessel. An upstream bypass stent may be implanted at an implant site upstream of the occlusion and a downstream bypass stent may be implanted at an implant site downstream of the occlusion, wherein an outlet of the upstream stent and an inlet of the downstream stent are coupled extravascularly to permit blood to extravascularly bypass the occlusion. The upstream stent further may include an additional outlet that directs blood to flow through the occluded blood vessel. A kit including a percutaneous tumescence tunneler for implanting the extravascular bypass system is also provided.

Systems and methods are provided for extravascularly bypassing an occlusion within a patient's blood vessel. An upstream bypass stent may be implanted at an implant site upstream of the occlusion and a downstream bypass stent may be implanted at an implant site downstream of the occlusion, wherein an outlet of the upstream stent and an inlet of the downstream stent are coupled extravascularly to permit blood to extravascularly bypass the occlusion. The upstream stent further may include an additional outlet that directs blood to flow through the occluded blood vessel. A kit including a percutaneous tumescence tunneler for implanting the extravascular bypass system is also provided.

A system for treating a diseased native valve in a patient includes a valve prosthesis and a delivery device. The prosthesis includes an anchor and a frame. The delivery device includes an outer sheath, an inner shaft, an anchor guide, and a tether. The anchor is shaped to encircle chordae or leaflets of a native valve. The frame is configured to sit within the anchor. The inner shaft is positioned within the outer sheath and translatable and rotatable relative to the outer sheath. The anchor guide is attached to a distal end of the inner shaft and has a curved distal section. The tether is configured to detachably couple to the anchor and to longitudinally translate the anchor within the inner shaft and anchor guide. The anchor is configured to be actuated from a delivery configuration to the deployed configuration when the anchor is translated out of the anchor guide.

Systems and methods for aiding users in viewing, assessing and analyzing images, especially images of lumens and medical devices contained within the lumens. Systems and methods for interacting with images of lumens and medical devices, for example through a graphical user interface.

Systems and methods for aiding users in viewing, assessing and analyzing images, especially images of lumens and medical devices contained within the lumens. Systems and methods for interacting with images of lumens and medical devices, for example through a graphical user interface.