Abstract: A composite natural tissue heart valve prosthesis which may be mounted in a cloth-covered, generally anatomical stent is disclosed. The prosthesis includes three adjacent tanned heart valve leaflets of generally similar size, shape and symmetry that are attached to adjacent leaflets along their respective valve wall side edges such that there is substantial coaptation between said cusps.

Abstract: A natural tissue heart valve prosthesis mounted in a cloth-covered, generally anatomical stent is disclosed. The prosthesis includes an annular implantation flange attached to the exterior base portion of the stent between the inflow end and the outflow end of the stent base and a pericardium strip attached to at least a portion of the outflow rails of the prosthesis to generally inhibit abrasion between the cusps of the valve and the cloth covering of the stent structure.

Abstract: A process for fixing a natural tissue heart valve whereby the valve has improved hydraulic performance is disclosed. The valve is first placed in glutaraldehyde with the valve cusps kept in the closed position by applying hydraulic pressure to the ventricular side of the valve. The valve is then trimmed and fitted to and sutured into a fabric covered plastic stent. An expandable tube is then placed axially within the valve and expanded to force the valve cusps into an open position. The expanded tube-valve-stent assembly is then placed in glutaraldehyde to further fix the valve and predispose the valve cusps to an open position.

Abstract: An adjustable valvuloplasty ring that comprises a C-shaped frame that is sized and shaped to extend about the circumference of the left atrioventricular orifice along the base of the anterior cusp of the mitral valve; an expandable sleeve connected to the frame that together therewith forms a closed annulus, the sleeve being adapted to extend about the remainder of the circumference of the orifice; and a drawstring running through the sleeve by which the sleeve may be contracted to constrict and remodel the orifice and secured in place to maintain such constriction.

Abstract: An anatomically configured stent for a tanned, expanded natural tissue heart valve, a valve prosthesis including the stent, and a process for preparing the prosthesis are disclosed. The stent comprises a frame having three struts, two of which are biased radially inwardly and the third of which is also biased radially inwardly or generally parallel to the frame axis and a fabric cover covering at least the exterior of the frame, the cover having a bead along its perimeter that provides a site for attachment of the valve to the stent.

Abstract: An anatomically configured stent for a tanned, expanded natural tissue heart valve and a valve prosthesis including the stent are disclosed. The stent comprises a frame whose interior configuration is the anatomical negative of the exterior configuration of a tanned, expanded, natural tissue valve and a fabric cover covering at least the exterior of the frame, the cover having a bead along its perimeter that provides a site for attachment of the valve to the stent.