Abstract: A transcatheter valve prosthesis includes a stent and a prosthetic valve. The prosthetic valve is configured to substantially block blood flow in one direction to regulate blood flow through a central lumen of the stent. The stent includes an inflow portion, an outflow portion, and a transition portion extending between the inflow portion and the outflow portion. The transition portion includes a plurality of axial frame members extending between the inflow portion and the outflow portion. Each axial frame member extends in an axial direction from a crown of the inflow portion to at least a crown of the outflow portion. Each axial frame member has a first end adjacent to the crown of the inflow portion, the first end having a reduced width relative to a width of a length of the axial frame member between the first end and the crown of the outflow portion.

Abstract: An implantable pulse generator includes a housing component containing electrical circuitry for generating electrical pulses and a header component connected to the housing component. The header component is adapted to connect to one or more stimulation leads for applying the electrical pulses to the tissue of the patient. The header includes a locking member for an electrical terminal of the implantable pulse generator. The locking member includes a head, an elongate body portion adjacent the head and has a proximal section with a first diameter and a distal section having a second diameter. A transition section is between the proximal section and the distal section. The transition section smoothly transitions from the first diameter to the second diameter. The elongate body portion is configured to provide an interference fit to the electrical terminal in a locked position and hold the electrical terminal in place.

Abstract: An electrical connector for an implantable medical device includes a connector member having a substantially cylindrical outer body and a ring shaped electrical connector housed within a central opening of the outer body and an annular channel formed on a first face of the cylindrical outer body. A substantially cylindrical seal member includes an annular shoulder formed on a first face thereof. The annular shoulder is configured to seat within the annular channel of the outer body with one or more of an interference fit or a snap-fit.

Abstract: A stent in a radially compressed configuration includes a plurality of first outer crowns and a plurality of second outer crowns, each of the first outer crowns and the second outer crowns connected by a strut of a plurality of struts. The plurality of first outer crowns and the plurality of second outer crowns are disposed at a crown angle in the range of about 15 degrees to about 35 degrees, the crown angle being defined by a line extending through a midpoint of a crown of the plurality of first outer crowns or the plurality of second outer crowns through a center of radius of the crown with respect to a line that is parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the stent.

Abstract: A transcatheter valve prosthesis includes a stent and a prosthetic valve. The stent includes an inflow portion, an outflow portion, and a transition portion extending between the inflow portion and the outflow portion. The transition portion includes a plurality of axial frame members, and three of the plurality of the axial frame members are commissure posts. At least two of the plurality of the axial frame members are commissure posts having a first end connected to a crown of the inflow portion and an unattached second end disposed within the outflow portion such that a pair of struts of the outflow portion intersect each commissure post at a mid-portion thereof. The prosthetic valve is configured to substantially block blood flow in one direction to regulate blood flow through a central lumen of the stent.

Abstract: Cross-linked polymer particles, as well as related compositions and methods, are disclosed.

Abstract: Hydrogel compositions prepared from amine components and glycidyl ether components are provided which are biocompatible and suitable for use in vivo due, in part, to their excellent stability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retaining ring having an resilient liner for protecting the substrate edge from being damaged during chemical mechanical polishing and a method for making the same. Retainers made of wear resistant ceramics, such as alumina, provide better overall performance, including wear resistance, and reduced particle formation than other retaining ring materials. By incorporating a resilient liner, such as an epoxy, on the inner surface of the wear resistant ring, the substrate edge is protected from damage that can be easily caused by the hard surface of the ceramic alone.