Abstract: A method of assembling a prosthetic heart valve includes providing a collapsible and expandable stent having an annulus section and an aortic section. The annulus section has a first diameter in a relaxed condition and a second diameter less than the first diameter in a collapsed condition. A constraint is applied to the stent to constrain the annulus section to a predetermined diameter between the first and second diameters. Applying a cuff and/or a plurality of leaflets to the stent in the constrained condition enables less material to be used. The resultant prosthetic valve is therefore able to be collapsed to a smaller diameter for introduction into a patient.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve, comprising (a) a stent body including a generally tubular annulus region having a tubular wall and a proximal-to-distal axis, the stent body having a radially expanded condition when the stent body is implanted, (b) one or more prosthetic valve elements mounted to the stent body and operative to allow blood flow in a distal direction through the annulus region but to substantially block blood flow in a proximal direction through the annulus region, (c) a cuff coupled to the stent body, and (d) a water-absorbing polymer coupled to the cuff.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes (a) a stent body including a generally tubular annulus region having a tubular wall and a proximal-to-distal axis, the stent body having a radially expanded condition when the stent body is implanted, (b one or more prosthetic valve elements mounted to the stent body and operative to allow blood flow in a distal direction through the annulus region but to substantially block blood flow in a proximal direction through the annulus region, (c) a cuff coupled to the stent body, and (d) one or more biasing elements connected to the stent body and to the cuff, the biasing elements being adapted to bias at least a portion of the cuff outwardly with respect to the stent body.

Abstract: A method of assembling a prosthetic heart valve includes providing a collapsible and expandable stent having an annulus section and an aortic section. The annulus section has a first diameter in a relaxed condition and a second diameter less than the first diameter in a collapsed condition. A constraint is applied to the stent to constrain the annulus section to a predetermined diameter between the first and second diameters. Applying a cuff and/or a plurality of leaflets to the stent in the constrained condition enables less material to be used. The resultant prosthetic valve is therefore able to be collapsed to a smaller diameter for introduction into a patient.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve for replacement of a native heart valve having a native valve annulus includes a stent body having a proximal end adjacent an inflow end and a distal end adjacent an outflow end and including an annulus section, the stent body having a radially collapsed condition and a radially expanded condition, one or more prosthetic valve elements mounted to the stent body and operative to allow flow in an antegrade direction from the inflow end to the outflow end but to substantially block flow in a retrograde direction from the outflow end to the inflow end, a cuff coupled to the stent body, the cuff having a mobile portion that is moveable relative to the stent body, and at least one engagement element remote from the stent body.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve is provided with a cuff having features which promote sealing with the native tissues even where the native tissues are irregular. The cuff may include a portion adapted to bear on the LVOT when the valve is implanted in a native aortic valve. The valve may include elements for biasing the cuff outwardly with respect to the stent body when the stent body is in an expanded condition. The cuff may have portions of different thickness distributed around the circumference of the valve in a pattern matching the shape of the opening defined by the native tissue. All or part of the cuff may be movable relative to the stent during implantation.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent extending in a longitudinal direction between an inflow end and an outflow end, the stent including a plurality of struts defining a plurality of cells, and a plurality of commissure attachment features disposed on the stent, each commissure attachment feature having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and at least two bodies connected via one or more suspension struts, each of the at least two bodies having at least one eyelet.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent and a plurality of commissure features disposed on the stent. A collapsible and expandable valve assembly includes a plurality of leaflets connected to the plurality of commissure features, each commissure feature including a body having a proximal end and a distal end. A plurality of eyelets is arranged in rows and columns on the body for distributing load from the plurality of leaflets.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent and a plurality of commissure features disposed on the stent. A collapsible and expandable valve assembly includes a plurality of leaflets connected to the plurality of commissure features, each commissure feature including a body having a proximal end and a distal end. A plurality of eyelets is arranged in rows and columns on the body for distributing load from the plurality of leaflets.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve is provided with a cuff having features which promote sealing with the native tissues even where the native tissues are irregular. The cuff may include a portion adapted to bear on the LVOT when the valve is implanted in a native aortic valve. The valve may include elements for biasing the cuff outwardly with respect to the stent body when the stent body is in an expanded condition. The cuff may have portions of different thickness distributed around the circumference of the valve in a pattern matching the shape of the opening defined by the native tissue. All or part of the cuff may be movable relative to the stent during implantation.

Abstract: A method of assembling a prosthetic heart valve includes providing a collapsible and expandable stent having an annulus section and an aortic section. The annulus section has a first diameter in a relaxed condition and a second diameter less than the first diameter in a collapsed condition. A constraint is applied to the stent to constrain the annulus section to a predetermined diameter between the first and second diameters. Applying a cuff and/or a plurality of leaflets to the stent in the constrained condition enables less material to be used. The resultant prosthetic valve is therefore able to be collapsed to a smaller diameter for introduction into a patient.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve is provided with a cuff having features which promote sealing with the native tissues even where the native tissues are irregular. The cuff may include a portion adapted to bear on the LVOT when the valve is implanted in a native aortic valve. The valve may include elements for biasing the cuff outwardly with respect to the stent body when the stent body is in an expanded condition. The cuff may have portions of different thickness distributed around the circumference of the valve in a pattern matching the shape of the opening defined by the native tissue. All or part of the cuff may be movable relative to the stent during implantation.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with a prosthetic heart valve includes a holder, to which the heart valve is releasably attached, and an elongated handle. The handle can be connected to the holder simply by pushing a distal end of the handle straight into a recess in the holder. After this has been done, the holder preferably releasable latches onto the handle, and the handle can also be rotated about its longitudinal axis to transmit torque to the holder (e.g., a rotatable portion of the holder). Rotation of such a rotatable portion of the holder can be used to deflect portions of the valve radially inward. This operation of a rotatable portion of the holder is preferably one-way only. The handle can be released from the holder at any time, and it can similarly be reconnected to the holder at any time.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent and a plurality of commissure features disposed on the stent. A collapsible and expandable valve assembly includes a plurality of leaflets connected to the plurality of commissure features, each commissure feature including a body having a proximal end and a distal end. A plurality of eyelets is arranged in rows and columns on the body for distributing load from the plurality of leaflets.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve is provided with a cuff having features which promote sealing with the native tissues even where the native tissues are irregular. The cuff may include a portion adapted to bear on the LVOT when the valve is implanted in a native aortic valve. The valve may include elements for biasing the cuff outwardly with respect to the stent body when the stent body is in an expanded condition. The cuff may have portions of different thickness distributed around the circumference of the valve in a pattern matching the shape of the opening defined by the native tissue. All or part of the cuff may be movable relative to the stent during implantation.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a stent having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition, the stent having a proximal end, a distal end and a plurality of commissure features. The heart valve further includes a valve assembly secured to the stent, the valve assembly including a cuff and a plurality of leaflets, each of the leaflets having a free edge having a first end and a second end, and a second edge secured to the cuff, the second edge having a first end, a second end, a first folded portion adjacent the first end, a second folded portion adjacent the second end, and an unfolded portion between the first and second folded portions. The first and second folded portions couple the leaflet to ones of the commissure features.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve is provided with a cuff having features which promote sealing with the native tissues even where the native tissues are irregular. The cuff may include a portion adapted to bear on the LVOT when the valve is implanted in a native aortic valve. The valve may include elements for biasing the cuff outwardly with respect to the stent body when the stent body is in an expanded condition. The cuff may have portions of different thickness distributed around the circumference of the valve in a pattern matching the shape of the opening defined by the native tissue. All or part of the cuff may be movable relative to the stent during implantation.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve is provided with a cuff having features which promote sealing with the native tissues even where the native tissues are irregular. The cuff may include a portion adapted to bear on the LVOT when the valve is implanted in a native aortic valve. The valve may include elements for biasing the cuff outwardly with respect to the stent body when the stent body is in an expanded condition. The cuff may have portions of different thickness distributed around the circumference of the valve in a pattern matching the shape of the opening defined by the native tissue. All or part of the cuff may be movable relative to the stent during implantation.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent having a proximal end, a distal end, an annulus section adjacent the proximal end and an aortic section adjacent the distal end. The stent is formed of a plurality of struts. A cuff is coupled to the stent. The cuff has one or more features configured to reduce abrasion and/or perivalvular leakage.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve is provided with a cuff having features which promote sealing with the native tissues even where the native tissues are irregular. The cuff may include a portion adapted to bear on the LVOT when the valve is implanted in a native aortic valve. The valve may include elements for biasing the cuff outwardly with respect to the stent body when the stent body is in an expanded condition. The cuff may have portions of different thickness distributed around the circumference of the valve in a pattern matching the shape of the opening defined by the native tissue. All or part of the cuff may be movable relative to the stent during implantation.