Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve comprises a biological tissue valve and a collapsible and expandable support frame having a longitudinal axis. The frame comprises an outflow circumferential structure defining an outflow end of the frame and consisting essentially of a single row of diamond-shaded expandable cells. The frame also comprises three V-shaped structures spaced apart from the outflow circumferential structure and three struts longitudinally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the frame. The three struts are configured to facilitate mounting the biological tissue valve to the frame and interconnect the outflow circumferential structure to the three V-shaped structures. The frame also includes three undulating structures, each of the three undulating structures interconnecting respective adjacent V-shaped structures of the three V-shaped structures.

Abstract: A catheter member (1) for interacting with a circumferential tissue structure (10) includes an elongate primary catheter (70) which has an inner lumen (80) and which extends along a longitudinal axis (90) and has a distal end portion (100), first (120) and second (130) elongate secondary catheters each comprising a distal end portion (140, 150) and an inner lumen (160, 170), and each to be disposed in the inner lumen (80) of the primary catheter (70) to be moveable relatively thereto and exposable from the distal end portion thereof, and a first flexing mechanism (191) to provide the distal end portion (140, 150) of the first (120) and/or second (130) secondary catheter with a tendency to assume a first secondary bent shape, wherein the distal end portion of one or both of the first and second secondary catheters is provided so as to be able to be flexed by the first flexing mechanism to form an arm portion (126, 136) substantially transverse to the direction of the longitudinal axis (90) of the primary cathe

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve comprises a biological tissue valve and a collapsible and expandable support frame comprising a longitudinal axis. The frame comprises an outflow circumferential structure defining an outflow end of the frame and defining a similar row of expandable cells, and a circumferential undulating strut structure spaced apart from the outflow circumferential structure. The frame also comprises three struts longitudinally aligned with the longitudinal axis, configured to facilitate mounting the biological tissue valve to the frame, and interconnecting the outflow circumferential structure to the circumferential undulating structure. Each strut comprises a first end terminating at a respective junction between two adjacent expandable cells of the outflow circumferential structure, and a second end terminating at the circumferential undulating strut structure.

Abstract: A sheathed catheter system is described where the sheath comprises a distal portion and a proximal portion that are moveable axially relative to each other, and relative to a tube carrying a medical device thereon. The distal and proximal sheath portions can be brought together in order to enclose therewithin the medical device. The distal sheath has a proximal section that is configured to bias radially inwardly to minimize an otherwise exposed annular surface catching on protruding surfaces that may exist on the catheter or other medical tool in use at the time, or to minimize scraping the inner native lumen of the patient upon retrieval.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve assembly for use in replacing a deficient native valve comprises a replacement valve supported on an expandable valve support. The valve support, which entirely supports the valve annulus, valve leaflets, and valve commissure points, is configured to be collapsible for transluminal delivery and expandable contact the anatomical annulus of the native valve when the assembly is properly positioned. Portions of the valve support may expand to a preset diameter to maintain coaptivity of the replacement valve and to prevent occlusion of the coronary ostia.

Abstract: A system for implanting a heart valve that includes a radially self-expandable tubular body having an inflow end and an outflow end, and a valve disposed within and attached to the tubular body. A first end of a projection is located at a side surface of the tubular body, and a second free end of the projection defines a groove between the projection and the tubular body. The groove has an opening between the tubular body and the second free end of the projection. Additionally, an elongate outer member is configured to move into the groove and to move heart tissue into the groove, such that the heart tissue is disposed between the tubular body and the projection.

Abstract: Systems and methods for modifying a heart valve annulus in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. A helical anchor is provided, having a memory set to a coiled shape or state. The helical anchor is further configured to self-revert from a substantially straight state to the coiled state. The helical anchor is loaded within a needle that constrains the helical anchor to the substantially straight state. The needle is delivered to the valve annulus and inserted into tissue of the annulus. The helical anchor is then deployed from the needle (e.g., the needle is retracted from over the helical anchor). Once deployed, the helical anchor self-transitions toward the coiled shape, cinching engaged tissue of the valve annulus.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve comprises a valve assembly having a base, a plurality of leaflets, and commissures. The valve also comprises a support stent having a plurality of expandable cells and a plurality of longitudinal struts. The support stent is configured to be collapsible for transluminal delivery and expandable to contact the anatomical annulus of the native valve when the prosthetic valve is positioned in situ. The support stent supports the base. The commissures of the valve assembly are secured at the longitudinal struts and adjacent one or more of the expandable cells. The longitudinal struts of the support stent further comprise a plurality of holes, and the plurality of leaflets are secured to the longitudinal struts via threads passing through the plurality of holes.

Abstract: A system for implanting a heart valve that includes a radially self-expandable tubular body having an inflow end and an outflow end, and a valve disposed within and attached to the tubular body. A first end of a projection is located at a side surface of the tubular body, and a second free end of the projection defines a groove between the projection and the tubular body. The groove has an opening between the tubular body and the second free end of the projection. Additionally, an elongate outer member is configured to move into the groove and to move heart tissue into the groove, such that the heart tissue is disposed between the tubular body and the projection.

Abstract: A system for implanting a heart valve includes a radially self-expandable tubular body having a preformed groove disposed at an outer surface of the tubular body, and a valve disposed within the tubular body. The preformed groove extends at least partially around the tubular body, and has a circumferential opening facing radially outward. A trapping member is configured to be disposed within the preformed groove on the outer surface of the tubular body and form at least a partial loop around the tubular body. The circumferential opening of the preformed groove is relatively larger when an outflow end of the tubular body has been deployed from a catheter and an inflow end of the tubular body is disposed within the catheter, and the circumferential opening of the preformed groove is relatively smaller when both the outflow end and the inflow end are fully deployed from the catheter.

Abstract: A method for implanting a heart valve includes advancing an elongate outer member from a first delivery catheter to form a loop around native valve leaflets and/or chords of a native valve without substantially occluding the native valve. The method further includes partially deploying from a second delivery catheter a radially self-expandable tubular body having a valve disposed within a lumen of the tubular body, and a preformed groove disposed at an outer surface of the tubular body. The preformed groove extends at least partially around the tubular body, and has a circumferential opening facing radially outward of the tubular body. When the tubular body is partially deployed, the native valve is substantially occluded. Additionally, the method includes moving the loop into the preformed groove after partially deploying the tubular body. The native valve is no longer substantially occluded after fully deploying the tubular body from the second delivery catheter.

Abstract: A system for implanting a heart valve includes a radially self-expandable tubular body having an inflow end and an outflow end and a preformed groove disposed at an outer surface of the tubular body between the inflow end and the outflow end. The preformed groove extends at least partially around the tubular body and has a circumferential opening facing radially outward of the tubular body. A valve is disposed within and is attached to the tubular body, and an elongate outer member is configured to form a loop encircling the preformed groove so as to guide portions of native valve leaflets and/or chords into the preformed groove. The outflow end of the tubular body includes a frustoconical shape that slopes radially outward from the preformed groove toward the outflow end when the outflow end but not the inflow end has been released from a delivery catheter.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve assembly for use in replacing a deficient native valve comprises a replacement valve supported on an expandable valve support. If desired, one or more anchor may be used. The valve support, which entirely supports the valve annulus, valve leaflets, and valve commissure points, is configured to be collapsible for transluminal delivery and expandable to contact the anatomical annulus of the native valve when the assembly is properly positioned. The anchor engages the lumen wall when expanded and prevents substantial migration of the valve assembly when positioned in place. The prosthetic valve assembly is compressible about a catheter, and restrained from expanding by an outer sheath. The catheter may be inserted inside a lumen within the body, such as the femoral artery, and delivered to a desired location, such as the heart.

Abstract: A transcatheter atrio-ventricular valve prosthesis for functional replacement of an atrio-ventricular heart valve in a connection channel, the prosthesis comprising a radially expandable tubular body extending along an axis, and a valve arranged within and attached to the tubular body. The tubular body is provided with an outer circumferential groove which is open to the radial outside of the tubular body, whereby the tubular body is separated by the outer circumferential groove into first and second body sections. The tubular body is provided with a first plurality of projections which extend from the first or second body section in an axial direction of the tubular body and each of which has a free end arranged to overlap the outer circumferential groove. An elongate outer member may be disposed at the exterior of the connection channel wall structure at a level of the circumferential groove.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve comprises a biological tissue valve and a collapsible and expandable support frame comprising longitudinal axis. The frame comprises an outflow circumferential structure defining an outflow end of the frame and defining a single row of expandable cells, and a circumferential undulating strut structure spaced apart from the outflow circumferential structure. The frame also comprises three struts longitudinally aligned with the longitudinal axis, configured to facilitate mounting the biological tissue valve to the frame, and interconnecting the outflow circumferential structure to the circumferential undulating structure. Each strut comprises a first end terminating at a respective junction between two adjacent expandable cells of the outflow circumferential structure, and a second end terminating at the circumferential undulating strut structure.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve comprises a collapsible and expandable support frame comprising a longitudinal axis. The frame comprises a first circumferential undulating structure defining an outflow end of the frame, and a second circumferential undulating structure spaced apart from the first circumferential undulating structure. The frame also comprises a plurality of struts longitudinally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the frame, and connecting: the first circumferential undulating structure to the second circumferential undulating structure. Each strut of the plurality of struts comprises a first end terminating at a trough of the first circumferential undulating structure, and a second end terminating at a peak of the second circumferential undulating structure. The prosthetic heat valve also comprises a biological tissue valve coupled to the frame.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve comprises a biological tissue valve and a collapsible and expandable support frame having a longitudinal axis. The frame comprises an outflow circumferential structure defining an outflow end of the frame and consisting essentially row of diamond-shaded expandable cells. The frame also comprises three V-shaped structures spaced apart from the outflow circumferential structure and three struts longitudinally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the frame. The three struts are configured to facilitate mounting the biological tissue valve to the frame and interconnect the outflow circumferential structure to the three V-shaped structures. The frame also includes three undulating structures, each of the three undulating structures interconnecting respective adjacent V-shaped structures of the three V-shaped structures. The prosthetic heart valve is configured to be collapsed for introduction into a patient using; a catheter and to be expanded for deployment at an implantation site.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve assembly for use in replacing a deficient native valve comprises a replacement valve supported on an expandable valve support. If desired, one or more anchors may be used. The valve support, which entirely supports the valve annulus, valve leaflets, and valve commissure points, is configured to be collapsible for transluminal delivery and expandable to contact the anatomical annulus of the native valve when the assembly is properly positioned. Portions of the valve support may expand to a preset diameter to maintain coaptivity of the replacement valve and to prevent occlusion of the coronary ostia. A radial restraint, comprising a wire, thread or cuff, may be used to ensure expansion does not exceed the preset diameter.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve assembly for use in replacing a deficient native valve comprises a replacement valve supported on an expandable valve support. If desired, one or more anchors may be used. The valve support, which entirely supports the valve annulus, valve leaflets, and valve commissure points, is configured to be collapsible for transluminal delivery and expandable to contact the anatomical annulus of the native valve when the assembly is properly positioned. Portions of the valve support may expand to a preset diameter to maintain coaptivity of the replacement valve and to prevent occlusion of the coronary ostia. A radial restraint, comprising a wire, thread or cuff, may be used to ensure expansion does not exceed the preset diameter. The valve support may optionally comprise a drug elution component. The anchor engages the lumen wall when expanded and prevents substantial migration of the valve assembly when positioned in place.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve assembly for use in replacing a deficient native valve comprises a replacement valve supported on an expandable valve support. If desired, one or more anchor may be used. The valve support, which entirely supports the valve annulus, valve leaflets, and valve commissure points, is configured to be collapsible for transluminal delivery and expandable to contact the anatomical annulus of the native valve when the assembly is properly positioned. The anchor engages the lumen wall when expanded and prevents substantial migration of the valve assembly when positioned in place. The prosthetic valve assembly is compressible about a catheter, and restrained from expanding by an outer sheath. The catheter may be inserted inside a lumen within the body, such as the femoral artery, and delivered to a desired location, such as the heart.