Abstract: A prosthetic tricuspid remodeling annuloplasty ring having two free ends that are upturned in the inflow direction to help avoid unnecessary leaflet abrasion. The free ends are desirably separated across a gap that is large enough to reduce the risk of passing sutures through the conductive system of the heart, yet not too large that support of the septal leaflet of the tricuspid annulus is degraded. The tricuspid ring may have four sequential segments looking from the inflow side and extending in a clockwise direction from a free end located adjacent the antero septal commissure after implant. The ring may define an inflow bulge in the first segment and/or an inflow bulge in the fourth segment that help the ring conform to the natural bulges created by the adjacent aorta, thereby reducing stress and the potential for ring dehiscence.

Abstract: Device for connection between a heart prosthesis and the natural auricles. According to the invention, the means of joining to the natural auricles are formed by individual suture attachments (11) mounted in such a may as to be free in rotation and to be movable.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enhancing surgical planning provide enhanced planning of entry port placement and/or robot position for laparoscopic, robotic, and other minimally invasive surgery. Various embodiments may be used in robotic surgery systems to identify advantageous entry ports for multiple robotic surgical tools into a patient to access a surgical site. Generally, data such as imaging data is processed and used to create a model of a surgical site, which can then be used to select advantageous entry port sites for two or more surgical tools based on multiple criteria. Advantageous robot positioning may also be determined, based on the entry port locations and other factors. Validation and simulation may then be provided to ensure feasibility of the selected port placements and/or robot positions. Such methods, apparatus, and systems may also be used in non-surgical contexts, such as for robotic port placement in munitions diffusion or hazardous waste handling.

Abstract: Device for rapid connection between a totally implantable heart prosthesis and natural articles. According to the invention, said prosthesis comprises: fastening means (16, 25) for fastening an end of one of the lunettes (2, 3) to the other lunette (3, 2), said fastening means being able to permit folding of said lunettes relative to each other; guide means (10, 11, 20, 21) for guiding said lunettes relative to each other before and during fastening and also during folding; and snap-fit means (19, 26) for engaging said lunettes on each other in the operating position corresponding to the end of said folding.

Abstract: One-piece heart prosthesis implantable in an anatomical position. According to the invention, the artificial left and right ventricles (2,8) have general directions (14, 15) arranged in an asymmetrical V shape, such that said ventricles approach each other as they move away from the means (6, 12) of connection to the natural left and right auricles, and the individual hydraulic actuators (7, 13), associated respectively with said artificial left and light ventricles (2, 8), are arranged near each other, in proximity to said artificial left ventricle (2).

Abstract: A set of annuloplasty rings progressively sized to take into account more of the common pathologies. The proportional shapes of each ring as the orifice size changes vary. For instance, the larger rings have larger minor axis dimensions relative to their major axis dimensions.

Abstract: According to the invention the rotary pump consists of an external gear (13) with internal teeth (16) in the form of a squirrel cage, and an internal gear (9), housed in an off-centre manner in the interior of said external gear (13) and fitted with external teeth (9D) intermeshing with said internal teeth (16) and consisting of a number of inferior teeth of a unit with the number of teeth of the later. The rotation means of said external teeth (13) comprise at least a bearing (11, 12) centrally laid out in a flange end (14,15) of said aforementioned external gear (13) and the aforementioned external gear (13) is at least partly dismantled in order to introduce said internal gear (9).

Abstract: According to the invention, the hemocompatible material comprises a strong and leaklight synthetic substrate, to which a biological tissue adheres by virtue of the constituent substance of said substrate dispersing in a solvent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enhancing surgical planning provide enhanced planning of entry port placement and/or robot position for laparoscopic, robotic, and other minimally invasive surgery. Various embodiments may be used in robotic surgery systems to identify advantageous entry ports for multiple robotic surgical tools into a patient to access a surgical site. Generally, data such as imaging data is processed and used to create a model of a surgical site, which can then be used to select advantageous entry port sites for two or more surgical tools based on multiple criteria. Advantageous robot positioning may also be determined, based on the entry port locations and other factors. Validation and simulation may then be provided to ensure feasibility of the selected port placements and/or robot positions. Such methods, apparatus and systems may also be used in non-surgical contexts, such as for robotic port placement in munitions diffusion or hazardous waste handling.

Abstract: A method for fixation of biological tissues, and bioprosthetic devices prepared by such method. The method generally comprises the steps of A) fixing the tissue, B) treating the tissue with a mixture of i) a denaturant, ii) a surfactant and iii) a crosslinking agent, C) fabricating or forming the bioprosthesis (e.g., forming the tissue and attaching any non-biological components thereto) and D) subjecting the bioprosthesis to terminal sterilization.

Abstract: An anatomically approximate prosthetic heart valve includes dissimilar flexible leaflets, dissimilar commissures and/or a non-circular flow orifice. The heart valve may be implanted in the mitral position and have one larger leaflet oriented along the anterior aspect so as to mimic the natural anterior leaflet. Two other smaller leaflets extend around the posterior aspect of the valve. A basic structure providing peripheral support for the leaflets includes two taller commissures on both sides of the larger leaflet, with a third, smaller commissure between the other two leaflets. The larger leaflet may be thicker and/or stronger than the other two leaflets. The base structure defines a flow orifice intended to simulate the shape of the mitral annulus during the systolic phase. For example, the flow orifice may be elliptical.

Abstract: A remodeling mitral annuloplasty ring with a reduced anterior-to-posterior dimension to restore coaptation between the mitral leaflets in mitral valve insufficiency (IMVI). The ring has a generally oval shaped body with a major axis perpendicular to a minor axis, both perpendicular to a blood flow axis. An anterior section lies between anteriolateral and posteriomedial trigones, while a posterior section defines the remaining ring body and is divided into P1, P2, and P3 segments corresponding to the three scallops of the same nomenclature in the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve. The anterior-to-posterior dimension of the ring body is reduced from conventional rings; such as by providing, in atrial plan view, a pulled-in P3 segment. Viewed another way, the convexity of the P3 segment is less pronounced than the convexity of the P1 segment. In addition, the ring body may have a downwardly deflected portion in the posterior section, preferably within the P2 and P3 segments.

Abstract: Bioprosthetic tissues are treated by immersing or otherwise contacting fixed, unfixed or partially fixed tissue with a glutaraldehyde solution that has previously been heat-treated or pH adjusted prior to its contact with the tissue. The prior heat treating or pH adjustment of the glutaraldehyde solution causes its free aldehyde concentration to decrease by about 25% or more, preferably by as much as 50%, and allows a “stabilized” glutaraldehyde solution to be obtained at the desired concentration and pH for an optimal fixation of the tissue at high or low temperature. This treatment results in a decrease in the tissue's propensity to calcify after being implanted within the body of a human or animal patient.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enhancing surgical planning provide enhanced planning of entry port placement and/or robot position for laparoscopic, robotic, and other minimally invasive surgery. Various embodiments may be used in robotic surgery systems to identify advantageous entry ports for multiple robotic surgical tools into a patient to access a surgical site. Generally, data such as imaging data is processed and used to create a model of a surgical site, which can then be used to select advantageous entry port sites for two or more surgical tools based on multiple criteria. Advantageous robot positioning may also be determined, based on the entry port locations and other factors. Validation and simulation may then be provided to ensure feasibility of the selected port placements and/or robot positions. Such methods, apparatus, and systems may also be used in non-surgical contexts, such as for robotic port placement in munitions diffusion or hazardous waste handling.

Abstract: An expandable annuloplasty ring which may either expand spontaneously, in situ, as the patient grows or be expanded by surgical intervention by balloon dilatation. The distensible annuloplasty ring of the invention may be usable in pediatric patients whose growth, subsequent to surgical implantation of the ring, will necessitate subsequent enlargement of the ring to accommodate growth of the annulus. The ring may include a solid core of non-elastic material which plastically retains its shape upon natural expansion of the annulus, or after surgical expansion. A discontinuity may be positioned along the anterior side of the ring or around the posterior side.

Abstract: An expandable annuloplasty ring which may either expand spontaneously, in situ, as the patient grows or be expanded by surgical intervention by balloon dilatation. The distensible annuloplasty ring of the invention may be usable in pediatric patients whose growth, subsequent to surgical implantation of the ring, will necessitate subsequent enlargement of the ring to accommodate growth of the annulus. The ring may include a solid core of non-elastic material which plastically retains its shape upon natural expansion of the annulus, or after surgical expansion. A discontinuity may be positioned along the anterior side of the ring or around the posterior side.

Abstract: The invention is a method to perform a surgical procedure within the beating heart. The instrument provides a seal to surround cardiac tissue, thereby defining a segregated surgical field within the body of the instrument. A suction device is preferred to remove blood and fluids from the surgical field so that a surgical procedure can be performed while the heart continues to beat. The instrument is particularly suitable for a procedure to repair defective or diseased cardiac valves, such as the mitral valve; a procedure which previously required that the heart be stopped so that the corrective surgical procedure could be performed.

Abstract: An infra-annular annuloplasty prosthesis is disclosed including a flexibly semi-rigid frame, a portion of which is shaped to conform to the scalloped configuration of the normal circumference of an arterial heart valve annulus. Axially projecting legs spaced circumferentially to correspond to the location of tissue adjacent to the valve commissures are provided for support and anchoring of the annulus-conforming portion to the dense fibrous tissues adjacent each commissure. The prosthesis includes a one-or two-part frame having scalloped upper and lower edges defining peaks and valleys. The upper edge is shaped to follow the contour of the tissue underneath the valve leaflets, and thus supports the leaflets and aortic wall from below. The lower edge is similarly scallop-shaped, but with less pronounced peaks and valleys than the upper edge, and is thus shaped to conform to the aortic annulus shape and provide support directly thereto.

Abstract: An expandable annuloplasty ring which may either expand spontaneously, in situ, as the patient grows or be expanded by surgical intervention by balloon dilatation. The distensible annuloplasty ring of the invention may be usable in pediatric patients whose growth, subsequent to surgical implantation of the ring, will necessitate subsequent enlargement of the ring to accommodate growth of the annulus. The ring may include relatively expandable segments to enable the enlargement thereof. The ring segments may include engaging teeth which cooperate with notches or slots formed in the tubes to provide some resistance to ring distention, while preventing collapse of the ring in the opposite direction. The teeth may be of different sizes or shapes to regulate the amount of force needed to expand the ring at different stages of the patient's growth.

Abstract: A prosthetic mechanical valve includes a base portion defining a through blood flow pathway closed by at least a pair of valve leaflets. The valve leaflets are pivotally carried by the base portion and movable in response to dynamic blood fluid pressures between a first position at which the leaflets close blood flow through the pathway and a second open position allowing blood flow in the pathway. A pair of confronting magnets are carried one to each of the pair of valve leaflets and attract one another. The magnetic forces of attraction between the pair of magnets imparts a biasing torque to the valve leaflets which tends to synchronize pivotal movements of the leaflets, cushions their sealing contact, quiets valve operation, and biases the leaflets toward a third partially open position. As a result, under conditions of nearly balanced blood fluid pressures across the pair of valve leaflet they anticipatorily open toward their third position to improve pumping effectiveness.