Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanical prosthetic heart valve (10) comprising: an annular support (12) having an internal peripheral wall (14) centered about a longitudinal axis (X) and delimiting an internal passage, and at least two mobile leaflets, preferably three mobile leaflets (40), arranged in such a way as to each be able to effect a rotational movement about an axis of rotation perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (X) so that the valve (10) can pass from a closed configuration to an open configuration and vice versa. Each leaflet (40) comprises a leading edge (42) designed to come against a portion of the internal peripheral wall (14) of the annular support (12) when the valve is in a closed configuration, an internal surface (46b) extending from the leading edge (42), and an external surface (46a) opposite the internal surface (46b) and extending from the leading edge (42).

Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanical prosthetic heart valve (10) comprising: an annular support (12) having an internal peripheral wall (14) centered about a longitudinal axis (X) and delimiting an internal passage, and at least two mobile leaflets, preferably three mobile leaflets (40), arranged in such a way as to each be able to effect a rotational movement about an axis of rotation perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (X) so that the valve (10) can pass from a closed configuration to an open configuration and vice versa. Each leaflet (40) comprises a leading edge (42) designed to come against a portion of the internal peripheral wall (14) of the annular support (12) when the valve is in a closed configuration, an internal surface (46b) extending from the leading edge (42), and an external surface (46a) opposite the internal surface (46b) and extending from the leading edge (42).

Abstract: Apparatus for use at a native atrioventricular valve of a heart of a subject includes a prosthetic valve structure. The prosthetic valve structure comprises a valve ring, a leaflet frame, a plurality of prosthetic leaflets, and an upper skirt. The valve ring circumscribes a longitudinal axis of the prosthetic valve structure. The leaflet frame is disposed within the valve ring. The prosthetic leaflets are coupled to the leaflet frame, and are configured to facilitate upstream-to-downstream bloodflow longitudinally through the prosthetic valve structure. The upper skirt includes an annular skirt fabric, and an annular skirt frame coupled to the valve ring by the skirt fabric. The upper skirt extends radially outward and in an upstream direction from the valve ring. The upper skirt is configured to rest against an atrial portion of the native atrioventricular valve. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An artificial valve (5; 10; 20; 30; 50) for implantation in a mammal body, in or adjacent to a blood vessel, comprising a casing (12; 37; 61) and a closing mechanism. Part of the closing mechanism is a moving part (11; 21, 22; 31, 32, 33; 51) adapted to make movements to assume an open and a closed position for opening and closing of the blood vessel and positions between said open and closed positions, the closing mechanism (11; 21, 22; 31, 32, 33; 51) is adapted to let the moving part initiate and carry out its movements when a predefined threshold value is reached by a physical parameter of the mammal or a functional parameter of a device (8) used by the mammal. The closing mechanism is arranged to power at least one of said movements of the moving part (51) and to let a movement of the moving part take place passively.

Abstract: A surgically implantable device (1,10) made of a single piece of silicone, for joining phalanxes, metacarpus-phalanx or metatarsus-phalanx bones of the hand or foot in arthroplasty surgery, includes an enlarged central portion (2) formed by a thickened portion (5) having a rounded profile and provided with a canal (6) extending transversally in which a depression (7) is centrally formed, and by two elongated stem portions (3,4) which extend from the enlarged central portion (2), one opposed to the other. The device (1,10) is coated completely with at least one layer of turbostratic pyrolytic carbon less than or equal to 10 microns thick obtained by physical vapour deposition (PVD).

Abstract: Devices and methods are configured to allow transcervical or subclavian access via the common carotid artery to the native aortic valve, and implantation of a prosthetic aortic valve into the heart. The devices and methods also provide means for embolic protection during such an endovascular aortic valve implantation procedure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anchoring system for heart valve prostheses which can be implanted by introduction via the aorta without any major surgical operation. With the heart valve prosthesis according to the invention it shall be achieved that this can be safely and quickly guided through the aorta toward the heart, and can be fixed there. With this, hook-shaped elements are secured to the commissures of the heart valve prosthesis the hooks of which are guided in an outward direction through the heart valve prosthesis material.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis can include a supported valve including a biological valve portion mounted within a support structure. The supported valve is configured to provide for substantially unidirectional flow of blood through the supported valve. The supported valve has inflow and outflow ends that are spaced axially apart from each other. A fixation support member includes inflow and outflow portions. The inflow portion of the fixation support member extends from a radially inner contact surface of the fixation support member radially outwardly and axially in a direction of the inflow end of the supported valve. The outflow portion of the fixation support member extends from the radially inner contact surface radially outwardly and axially in a direction away from the inflow portion of the fixation support member. The radially inner contact surface is attached to a radially outer surface of the supported valve adjacent the inflow end of the supported valve.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for supporting a heart valve at an annulus of an implantation site. The apparatus includes a base portion operative to maintain a circumferential dimension thereof. A plurality of fingers extend axially and radially outwardly from the first end of the support element. A heart valve can be located within the apparatus to provide a prosthesis that can be suturelessly implanted at an annulus of a patient.

Abstract: In an artificial heart valve for the replacement of an aortic or a mitral valve, including an annular body, which is provided at its outer circumference with means for mounting the artificial valve in place by surgical procedures and which defines in its interior a blood flow passage in which valve flap elements are pivotally supported so as to open or close the blood flow passage depending on their pivot positions, the annular body includes circumferentially spaced projections extending into the flow passage and being provided at their inner ends with pivot joints on which the valve flap elements are pivotally supported.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heart valve prosthesis having an annular body with a pair of flanges, and a closing element in the form of two or three flaps mounted through bearings into the body's recesses with freedom to be rotated. The annular body has a constant height on a greater portion of a ring circle, and a number of ledges equal to that of the flaps. The ledges are provided with flap rotation limiters. The flaps have ascending and descending surfaces oriented to the direct and reverse flow of blood, a side edge and an edge for joining the other flap. The descending surface of a flap is flat and the ascending surface thereof is spherically concave. The flaps have the minimal thickness on an axis of symmetry at the joining edge. The axes of rotation of the three flap embodiment are arranged relative to each other at an angle of 60° thereby to form the sides of an equilateral triangle. For the valve with two flaps the flange facing the direct flow of blood is thickened.

Abstract: The present invention relates to medical techniques and can be used in heart surgery for the replacement of the damaged natural aortal and mitral human heart valves and also tricuspid and lung artery valves.

Abstract: A prosthesis for use in a human heart as a valve that reduces or eliminates blood stagnation, and therefore, the possibility of thrombosis while increasing available blood flow area through the artificial heart valve without using hinges which can become inoperable due to interaction with blood and human tissue. The artificial heart valve includes a supporting ring, a pair of radially-disposed supporting arms having specially designed and support heads of a particular shape and a pair of semi-circular valve plates that hang from the support arm and engage the support arm heads. The valve plates each include a specially designed slot that receives the support arm head which allows movement of each of the valve plates during operation of the valve to prevent accumulation of human tissue from blocking the operation of the valve.