Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described herein for use in the transfemoral delivery and deployment of a prosthetic mitral valve. In some embodiments, a method includes inverting an outer frame of a prosthetic mitral valve when in a biased expanded configuration. After inverting the outer frame, the prosthetic mitral valve is inserted into a lumen of a delivery sheath such that the mitral valve is moved to a collapsed configuration. The delivery sheath is inserted into a femoral vein and moved through the femoral vein and a septum of a heart until a distal end of the delivery sheath is disposed in the left atrium of the heart. The prosthetic mitral valve is moved distally out of the delivery sheath such that the inverted outer frame reverts and the prosthetic mitral valve assumes its biased expanded configuration. The prosthetic mitral valve is then positioned within a mitral annulus of the heart.

Abstract: A venous valve prosthetic implant for treatment of venous disease may include an expandable anchoring frame, a valve seat attached to the anchoring frame, a ball retention member attached to the anchoring frame, and a ball disposed within the lumen of the anchoring frame, between the valve seat and the ball retention member. The anchoring frame may include a first end, a second end, and a middle valve portion, where the middle valve portion expands to a smaller diameter than a diameter of either the first end or the second end. The ball may move back and forth within the middle valve portion, between a fully open position and a fully closed position.

Abstract: A valve prosthetic implant for treating a vein or other blood vessel includes a tubular, expandable anchoring frame extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the implant, a valve seat formed at or near the middle of the anchoring frame, an expandable ball disposed within the lumen of the anchoring frame, and a ball retention tether attached to the expandable ball and to the valve seat and/or the anchoring frame. The anchoring frame may include a cylindrical proximal portion at the proximal end, a cylindrical distal portion at the distal end, an inwardly angled inlet portion between the cylindrical proximal portion and a middle of the anchoring frame, and an inwardly angled outlet portion between the cylindrical distal portion and the middle of the anchoring frame.

Abstract: A venous valve prosthetic implant for treatment of venous disease may include an expandable anchoring frame, a valve seat attached to the anchoring frame, a ball retention member attached to the anchoring frame, and a ball disposed within the lumen of the anchoring frame, between the valve seat and the ball retention member. The anchoring frame may include a first end, a second end, and a middle valve portion, where the middle valve portion expands to a smaller diameter than a diameter of either the first end or the second end. The ball may move back and forth within the middle valve portion, between a fully open position and a fully closed position.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described herein for use in the transfemoral delivery and deployment of a prosthetic mitral valve. In some embodiments, a method includes inverting an outer frame of a prosthetic mitral valve when in a biased expanded configuration. After inverting the outer frame, the prosthetic mitral valve is inserted into a lumen of a delivery sheath such that the mitral valve is moved to a collapsed configuration. The delivery sheath is inserted into a femoral vein and moved through the femoral vein and a septum of a heart until a distal end of the delivery sheath is disposed in the left atrium of the heart. The prosthetic mitral valve is moved distally out of the delivery sheath such that the inverted outer frame reverts and the prosthetic mitral valve assumes its biased expanded configuration. The prosthetic mitral valve is then positioned within a mitral annulus of the heart.

Abstract: A replacement prosthetic heart valve for engagement with a structure of a previously implanted prosthetic heart valve. The replacement heart valve includes a stent structure including a generally tubular body portion with an interior area and a series of wire portions arranged in a mesh-like configuration, and at least one stent post engaging structure extending radially outwardly from the body portion for engaging with an outer surface of a stent post of the previously implanted prosthetic heart valve. The stent structure further includes at least two leaflets attached within the interior area of the tubular body portion of the stent structure.

Abstract: A valve that includes an expandable valve body defining a lumen and a longitudinally moveable obstructer retained within the lumen of the valve body between the proximal and distal ends of the valve when the valve is in an expanded configuration. The valve, in the collapsed configuration, is delivered to a native valve site by a catheter where the valve body is expanded to anchor the valve at the valve annulus and the collapsed obstructer is subsequently expanded so that the valve is in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: A transluminal cardiac valve includes an expandable generally tubular cage including when expanded a generally uniform central region, first and second ends each diametrically constricted relative to the central region, a blood impervious region extending from the first end of the cage to within the generally uniform central region, and an inflatable plunger freely disposed and captured within the cage when inflated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to noval design of mechanical valve prostheses and manufacturing methods. A series of prosthetic valves with novel design and a unique manufacturing approach are disclosed. These devices possess unique designs and are made of nanostructurely engineered biomaterial. In addition, a novel manufacturing approach will be used to produce these devices because the convention technique is incapable of fabricating the devices due to the small size, design requirements and material properties restrain. Furthermore, it provides the convenience and thus low cost in manufacturing. The devices are particularly but not exclusively useful in human circulation system to restore the normal functions.

Abstract: There is disclosed a heart valve prosthesis having a configuration such that blood flow through it has a helical flow pattern such as to substantially reduce or eliminate turbulence and dead flow regions in the blood flow.