An illustrative stent may comprise an elongated tubular member having a longitudinal axis, the elongated tubular member comprising at least one knitted filament forming a plurality of twisted knit stitches with intermediate rung portions extending circumferentially between radially adjacent twisted knit stitches. Each twisted knit stitch may be interconnected with a longitudinally adjacent twisted knit stitch forming a series of linked stitches. The elongated tubular member may be configured to move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein in the collapsed configuration the series of linked stitches form longitudinal columns and in the expanded configuration the series of linked stitches extend helically around the elongated tubular member.

An orthopedic drill bit includes a cutting head formed to include diametrically opposed cutting lips leading to a central point and away to a radiused periphery to center said bit. The drill includes flutes extending from a cutting end, said flutes having a dulled periphery to prevent out of round holes. The flute design increases in width progressively from the tip up the shank, to maintain an adequate and unrestricted space for chips to easily move upward, preventing the chips from being compressed into a smaller opening while maintaining the tapered depth of the flutes for strength.

There is described an arteriovenous fistula stent, having a tubular body comprising a series of sinusoidal shaped struts along the length of the tubular body. A plurality of curvilinear connectors extend between and are attached to adjacent struts wherein a first end of a connector is attached to a distal face of a proximal strut apex and a second end of a connector is attached to a proximal face of a distal strut apex. A pair of unconnected strut apexes are between pairs of connected apexes. When the tubular body is in a stowed configuration a proximal aperture and a distal aperture are circular and when the tubular body is in a deployed configuration the distal aperture is oblong or ovoid. There is also described a method for inserting a stent for use in creation of an arteriovenous fistula by identifying a candidate artery and a candidate vein and dissecting the candidate vein. Next, inserting a stent into the vein and creating a breach in the candidate artery at a desired angle and location. Next, introducing the stent and vein into the candidate artery and forming the stent into a curvature angle selected to minimize turbulent blood flow in an anastomosis formed by the vein and the artery. Optionally, there is a step of fastening a distal portion of the stent to the artery.

The invention described herein relates to telescoping stents. The embodiments described herein allow for adequate securement to, accommodation for movement by, and prevention of in of tubular organs or hollow areas of the body. Certain embodiments relate to telescoping stents with loop interlocking mechanisms. Further embodiments relate to telescoping stents with ball-in-groove interlocking mechanisms.

A tubular prosthetic device for implantation into a body lumen includes a first part including a tubular lumen and a second part including an attachment member. The second part is secured to the first part via various configurations, where the device is capable of being reduced to a diameter less than the diameter of traditional devices, for ease of use during implantation. Methods of using the device are also provided.

Kit includes coaptation aid and fixation system for repair of leaflets of a heart valve. Coaptation aid includes coaptation catheter having an expandable member at a distal end thereof adapted to be introduced to a left ventricular outflow tract of a heart via a retrograde approach. Expandable member has a delivery configuration with a reduced cross-dimension and a deployed configuration with an expanded cross-dimension adapted to contact a ventricular side of a first leaflet of a heart valve and position the first leaflet generally proximate a coapting configuration with a second leaflet. Fixation system includes a delivery catheter having a distal end, and a fixation device removably coupled to the distal end of the delivery catheter and is adapted to couple the first leaflet to the second leaflet of the heart valve. Methods for fixation of native leaflets of a heart valve using a coaptation aid also disclosed.

A tissue clamping device including a clamp, a first connector, a second connector, and a clip is provided. The clamp may include a supporting unit, a first interior clamping arm, a first exterior clamping arm, a second interior clamping arm, and a second exterior clamping arm. The supporting unit may be connected to the first interior clamping arm, the first exterior clamping arm, the second interior clamping arm, and the second exterior clamping arm. The clamp may be connected to a portion between the first connector and the second connector. A relative movement of the first connector and the second connector may drive the first interior clamping arm and the second interior clamping arm to be expanded or folded relatively. The clip may include a first clip and a second clip, and the first clip and the second clip may be respectively expanded or folded.

A prosthetic heart valve for deployment in a native heart valve. The prosthetic heart valve includes an inner frame and a plurality of anchors extending from a distal portion of the inner frame. An outer sealing frame is positioned radially outward of the inner frame. The distal end portion of the outer frame is attached to a distal portion of the inner frame by a flexible cloth material such that the outer frame can move axially or tilt with respect to the inner frame. The anchors are shaped to capture native leaflets between the anchors and the outer frame to secure the prosthetic valve in the native heart valve. Prosthetic valve leaflets are provided in a lumen of the inner frame for allowing one way flow through the prosthetic valve, thereby replacing the function of the native heart valve.

A mitral valve clip includes a stud, a lock, and two arms. The stud includes a shank, and the lock includes a frame relative to which the stud is translatable and into which the shank extends. The lock is able to prevent movement of the stud relative to the lock in at least one direction by locking engagement of the shank. The two arms are connected to the lock and the stud such that an angle between the arms depends on a location of the stud relative to the lock. The locking engagement of the shank that prevents movement of the stud relative to the lock in the at least one direction is only possible when the angle between the arms is below a predefined locking threshold.

Described is a prosthetic valve, comprising: an expandable stent including an inner lumen and having a first and a second end; and a spring attached to the first end of the expandable stent; wherein the expandable stent and the spring can expand radially to a desired diametric configuration in order to anchor the prosthetic valve at an implantation position in a body lumen. Related systems and methods.