A self-adjusting device configured to be placed in contact with tissue/organ and apply mechanical force to the tissue/organ to achieve an improvement of functioning of the tissue/organ. The self-adjusting capabilities can be carried out by three functional subsystems that can be packaged either in a single, integrated system or in separate modules. A sensing subsystem senses the tissue/organ and sends at least one type of sensing signal characteristic of functioning of the tissue/organ to a controlling subsystem. The controlling subsystem processes the signal with an algorithm to determine if a configuration of the device needs to be changed or a force applied to the tissue/organ needs to be changed. An actuating subsystem can be controlled by the controlling subsystem to affect the configuration/force change when needed. A feedback loop is provided to keep the controlling subsystem up to date as to the state of the actuating subsystem.

An epicardial device for reducing or preventing regurgitation of blood through a valve of a heart includes a main body having a segment adapted to apply force to an epicardial surface of the heart. A member that applies counterforce to the force applied by the segment is also provided. A foundation is configured to be anchored to the epicardial surface of the heart. The foundation includes a surface configured with attachment features. The device further includes a surface configured with mating attachment features configured to attach to the attachment features of the foundation. The mating attachment features and attachment features are separable and reattachable to allow repositioning of at least a portion of the device relative to the foundation.

Methods for draining pseudocysts and stent delivery systems for use therein are disclosed. An illustrative system may include a catheter shaft having an inflatable balloon affixed to a distal end region thereof. A cutting electrode may be disposed at the distal end of the system and at least one heating electrode may be disposed within the inflatable balloon. A self expandable stent may be disposed about the inflatable balloon. The stent may be formed of a shape memory polymer. The inflation fluid may be heated within the balloon to facilitate expansion of the stent.

Tubular propulsion devices and systems and methods for using such devices and systems to restore, replace, or augment or otherwise modulate active transport of fluids through a diseased or damaged tubular organ or organ segment are described. The devices have a hollow center surrounded by a peripheral wall. The devices can be multilayer devices. The devices may be single tube devices or multi-section devices. Typically, elements for altering the structure of the device, such as via compression, expansion, twisting, and/or contraction of one or more sections of the peripheral wall, are included in the walls or are outside or inside, of the walls of the device. The devices undergo intermittent change of the contained volume (luminal volume) in a sequential manner to direct fluid flow. In use, the devices are able to serve as local mini- or regional-pumps.

Methods for draining pseudocysts and stent delivery systems for use therein are disclosed. An illustrative system may include a catheter shaft having an inflatable balloon affixed to a distal end region thereof. A cutting electrode may be disposed at the distal end of the system and at least one heating electrode may be disposed within the inflatable balloon. A self expandable stent may be disposed about the inflatable balloon. The stent may be formed of a shape memory polymer. The inflation fluid may be heated within the balloon to facilitate expansion of the stent.

A self-adjusting device configured to be placed in contact with tissue/organ and apply mechanical force to the tissue/organ to achieve an improvement of functioning of the tissue/organ. The self-adjusting capabilities can be carried out by three functional subsystems that can be packaged either in a single, integrated system or in separate modules. A sensing subsystem senses the tissue/organ and sends at least one type of sensing signal characteristic of functioning of the tissue/organ to a controlling subsystem. The controlling subsystem processes the signal with an algorithm to determine if a configuration of the device needs to be changed or a force applied to the tissue/organ needs to be changed. An actuating subsystem can be controlled by the controlling subsystem to affect the configuration/force change when needed. A feedback loop is provided to keep the controlling subsystem up to date as to the state of the actuating subsystem.

Devices, systems and methods for altering functioning of a tissue/organ by application of force thereto. In one preferred embodiment, a device for reducing or preventing regurgitation of blood through a valve of a heart is provided. A device may include a main body having a segment adapted to apply force to a surface of tissue/organ and a member that applies counterforce to the force applied by the segment. Kits are provided in which devices having varying lengths and widths can be selected for the best fit for a particular location of treatment. A width sizing instrument may be provided. A length sizing instrument may be provided. A separate sleeve and/or pad may be provided which may be first anchored to the tissue/organ before fixing the device thereto.

An epicardial device for reducing or preventing regurgitation of blood through a valve of a heart includes a main body having a segment adapted to apply force to an epicardial surface of the heart. A member that applies counterforce to the force applied by the segment is also provided. A foundation is configured to be anchored to the epicardial surface of the heart. The foundation includes a surface configured with attachment features. The device further includes a surface configured with mating attachment features configured to attach to the attachment features of the foundation. The mating attachment features and attachment features are separable and reattachable to allow repositioning of at least a portion of the device relative to the foundation.

A medical device is disclosed and may have a spiral shape structure that can function as a stent, such as a flow diversion stent to treat aneurysms. The medical device may have a spiral shape structure that can function as an occlusive device, for instance to occlude aneurysms. The medical device may include a shape setting structure to selectively adjust the shape of the medical device.

Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for repairing heart valves through percutaneous transcatheter delivery and fixation of annuloplasty rings to heart valves via a trans-apical approach to accessing the heart. A guiding sheath may be introduced into a ventricle of the heart through an access site at an apex of the heart. A distal end of the guiding sheath can be positioned retrograde through the target valve. An annuloplasty ring arranged in a compressed delivery geometry is advanced through the guiding sheath and into a distal portion of the guiding sheath positioned within the atrium of the heart. The distal end of the guiding sheath is retracted, thereby exposing the annuloplasty ring. The annuloplasty ring may be expanded from the delivery geometry to an operable geometry. Anchors on the annuloplasty ring may be deployed to press into and engage tissue of the annulus of the target valve.