4tech Inc.

Mohamed Azeem Latib

Michael Gilmore

Andrea Guidotti

Paolo Denti

Francesco Maisano

Idan Tobis

Kevin Lynn

John Matthew Mullins

David Zarbatany

John Mullins

A torque-delivery tool includes a cable and a distal coupling element. A tissue anchor includes an anchor head, which includes a shaft having a proximal coupling element. The distal and proximal coupling elements are shaped so as to define corresponding interlocking surfaces. An outer tether-securing element of the anchor is shaped so as to define a lateral opening through which a tether is disposed, and at least partially radially surrounds the shaft and a spring. In an unlocked state, a distal spring depressor restrains the spring in an axially-compressed state. In a locked state, the distal and proximal coupling elements are not coupled with one another, the distal spring depressor does not restrain the spring in the axially-compressed state, and the spring is in an axially-expanded state, in which the spring inhibits the sliding of the tether through the lateral opening by pressing the tether against the outer tether-securing element.

Cardiac tissue cinching

A method is provided including making an opening () through an atrial septum () at a septal site () at least 5 mm from a fossa ovalis (). A first tissue anchor () is endovascularly advanced to a left-atrial site () on an annulus of a mitral valve () or a wall of a left atrium () above the annulus. The first tissue anchor () is implanted at the left-atrial site (). A second tissue anchor () is endovascularly advanced to a right-atrial site () on an annulus of a tricuspid valve () or a wall of a right atrium () above the annulus. The second tissue () anchor is implanted at the right-atrial site (). The left-atrial site () and the right-atrial site () are approximated by tensioning a tether () that passes through the opening () of the atrial septum () and connects the first and the second tissue anchors (). Other embodiments are also described.

Apparatus is provided that includes first and second tissue-engaging elements, and first and second flexible longitudinal members, coupled at respective first end portions thereof to the first and the second tissue-engaging elements, respectively. The apparatus further includes a first flexible-longitudinal-member-coupling element coupled to a second end portion of the first flexible longitudinal member, a second flexible-longitudinal-member-coupling element coupled to a second end portion of the second flexible longitudinal member, and a flexible longitudinal guide member reversibly coupled to the first flexible-longitudinal-member-coupling element. The first and second flexible-longitudinal-member-coupling elements are configured to be couplable together to couple together the first and the second flexible longitudinal elements. Other applications are also described.

Tricuspid valve repair using tension

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Milan, Italy

Mohamed Azeem Latib