A system includes a core and a catheter for use with (A) a first atrial arm and a first ventricular arm articulatable with respect to each other at a first articulation site to clamp one leaflet of a patient's native heart valve, and (B) a second atrial arm and a second ventricular arm articulatable with respect to each other at a second articulation site to clamp another native leaflet of the native valve. The core tapers in a distal direction toward its smallest perimeter, defining a minimum nonzero angle of the atrial arms with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the core. The catheter advances the core and the arms toward the native valve. The catheter and the core have an advancement configuration in which the smallest perimeter of the core is adjacent to the first and second articulation sites. Other embodiments are also described.

An implant includes a clip and a clip-controller interface. The clip is disposed laterally from a central longitudinal axis of the implant, includes first and second arms articulatably coupled to each other, and sandwiches a leaflet of a heart valve between the first and second arms by articulation between the first and second arms, such that the second arm is disposed laterally from the first arm. The clip-controller interface is reversibly coupled to a clip controller of a delivery tool, and includes first and second portions. The first portion is linearly slidable by the clip controller. The second portion is articulatably coupled to the first portion and to the second arm, such that linear sliding of the first portion causes the second portion to (i) articulate with respect to the first portion, and (ii) push the second arm to articulate toward the axis. Other embodiments are also described.

A stabilized fabric composed of a mesh or a woven fabric is disclosed as are methods of their manufacture, the manufacture of medical devices made using a stabilized fibers and stabilized medical devices are all disclosed. Fabrics can be stabilized by several techniques including: using mechanical, chemical and/or energetic fasteners at warp and weft intersections in the weave; by using various weaving techniques and fibers. Meshes can be stabilized when properly dimensioned and arranged junctions and struts of the necessary properties are used. All of these stabilized fabrics can be made of synthetic polymer materials such as ultrahigh molecular weight PE or PP and expanded PTFE.

An implant includes a primary structural element, and two clips coupled to the primary structural element, on opposite lateral sides of the primary structural element from each other, each of the clips having a first clip element and a second clip element. The implant is transluminally advanced to a heart valve of a subject. The implant is coupled to leaflets of the valve (i) by, for each of the clips, closing the clip around a central part of a respective leaflet of the valve by causing deflection between the first clip element and the second clip element, thereby sandwiching the central part of the respective leaflet between the first clip element and the second clip element, and (ii) such that the leaflets form a double orifice configuration, with the primary structural element disposed between the central parts of the leaflets. Other embodiments are also described.

The present invention relates to an integrated radial silicone-filled cell-structured for human body implant and manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly, in a human body implant, to an integrated radial silicone-filled cell-structured human body implant comprising: a first silicone-filled cell including a silicone filling material, in which the silicone filling material is formed in the center of the implant; and a second silicone-filled cell surrounding an outer surface of the first silicone-filled cell, being formed radially around the center of the implant, and including a silicone filling material formed with a cross-linking density different from a silicone cross-linking density of the first silicone-filled cell.

A stress urinary incontinence device is provided to limit or prevent leakage of urine in an individual. The device includes a body comprising an inner portion surrounded by an outer portion. The outer portion comprises biocompatible material and has a contact face opposing a guide face. The contact face is configured to occlude the urethral opening of the individual. A guide having an interior portion surrounded by an exterior portion projects from the guide face to aid in the application of the device onto the urethral meatus beneath the inner labia and above the vaginal opening of the individual. The device comprises materials that render it reusable.

A method of treating prolapse of a vagina includes supporting the vagina by implanting a sacrocolpopexy support and locating an exterior surface of the vagina between leg portions of a vaginal cuff section of the support, and securing a head section of the support to a ligament or a sacrum while isolating the head section from contact with tissue of the vagina.

The present invention disclosed a method of producing a three-dimensional porous tissue in-growth structure. The method includes the steps of depositing a first layer of metal powder and scanning the first layer of metal powder with a laser beam to form a portion of a plurality of predetermined unit cells. Depositing at least one additional layer of metal powder onto a previous layer and repeating the step of scanning a laser beam for at least one of the additional layers in order to continuing forming the predetermined unit cells. The method further includes continuing the depositing and scanning steps to form a medical implant.

A heart valve repair system includes a delivery sheath and an implant that includes a frame having a surface configured to contact an upstream surface of a native heart valve. First and second gripping members are coupled to the frame and each (1) includes first and second arms and (2) is configured to clamp a respective native leaflet. The implant is disposed in the sheath in a delivery state in which the frame defines a wall fully surrounding a central longitudinal axis of the implant. The distal end of the wall defines a distal opening of the frame. The distal end of the wall is disposed proximally to the entire first tissue-engaging surface of each of the gripping members and proximally to the entire second tissue-engaging surface of each of the gripping members. Other embodiments are also described.

A radially expandable, tubular stent, includes a first section having a first crush resistance force and a second section have a second crush resistance force, wherein the first crush resistance force is less than the second crush resistance force. The first section is connected to the second section to form a tube, connection of the first and second sections extending in an axial direction of the tube.