Abstract: A replacement heart valve and method of treating valve insufficiency includes an expandable frame configured to engage a native valve annulus. A valve body is coupled to the frame. The valve body can include a leaflet portion and possibly a skirt portion. A portion of the frame has a foreshortening portion configured to longitudinally expand when urged to a radially compacted state and longitudinally contract when urged to a radially expanded state. In one embodiment the valve skirt is attached to the frame so that it can adapt to changes in the length of the frame. A delivery device in some embodiments can use one or more coverings, such as sheaths, to controllably release the replacement heart valve at a native heart valve.

Abstract: A medical treatment system and method of treatment is described having an implant that can be positioned and deployed, then undeployed to allow repositioning of the implant. The system includes a self-expanding medical implant that longitudinally foreshortens upon radially expanding from a radially compacted state, a distal interface configured to attach the implant to a distal mount of a delivery device, and a proximal interface configured to attach the implant to a proximal mount of the delivery device. Moving the distal mount longitudinally away from the proximal mount applies a longitudinal tension to the implant causing the implant to expand longitudinally and contract radially, and moving the distal mount toward the proximal mount reduces a longitudinal tension in the implant allowing the implant to expand radially toward a fully expanded state.

Abstract: A method of treating a native heart valve includes delivering a replacement valve to the native heart valve. The native heart valve can be any one of aortic, pulmonary, mitral and tricuspid valves. The replacement valve comprising an expandable frame and a valve body attached to the expandable frame. The method can also include expanding the frame at a patient's valve annulus, wherein expansion of the frame causes respective ends of both proximal anchors and distal anchors connected to the frame to draw closer together to grasp native tissue between the respective ends of the proximal anchors and distal anchors.

Abstract: A prosthesis can comprise an expandable frame, a plurality of distal anchors and a plurality of proximal anchors. The anchors can extend outwardly from the frame. The frame can be configured to radially expand and contract for deployment within a body cavity. The frame and anchors can have one of many different shapes and configurations. For example, when the frame is in an expanded configuration, the frame can have a larger cross-sectional dimension in a middle portion of the frame and a smaller cross-sectional dimension in a proximal portion and a distal portion of the frame, wherein the middle portion is between the proximal and distal portions. As another example, the anchors can have looped ends, the entire anchor may loop out from the frame.

Abstract: A prosthesis can be configured to grasp intralumenal tissue when deployed within a body cavity and prevent axial flow of fluid around an exterior of the prosthesis. The prosthesis can include an expandable frame configured to radially expand and contract for deployment within the body cavity, and an outer skirt positioned annularly around an exterior of the expandable frame. In some embodiments, the outer skirt can extend outward from the frame and be secured to an outwardly extending anchor on the frame to create an axial barrier to fluid flow exterior to the frame when deployed within the body cavity.

Abstract: A vascular implant for replacing a native heart valve comprises a self expanding stent supporting a valve body having leaflets. The stent preferably comprises an anchoring structure configured to prevent the implant from passing through the valve annulus. For delivery, the implant is compacted within a delivery device and secured at one end. During delivery the implant is partially released from the delivery device, and positioning of the implant can be verified prior to full release. The implant can be at least partially resheathed and repositioned if desired.

Abstract: A vascular implant for replacing a native heart valve comprises a self expanding stent supporting a valve body having leaflets. The stent preferably comprises an anchoring structure configured to prevent the implant from passing through the valve annulus. For delivery, the implant is compacted within a delivery device and secured at one end. During delivery the implant is partially released from the delivery device, and positioning of the implant can be verified prior to full release. The implant can be at least partially resheathed and repositioned if desired.

Abstract: A vascular implant for replacing a native heart valve comprises a self expanding stent supporting a valve body having leaflets. The stent preferably comprises an anchoring structure configured to prevent the implant from passing through the valve annulus. For delivery, the implant is compacted within a delivery device and secured at one end. During delivery the implant is partially released from the delivery device, and positioning of the implant can be verified prior to full release. The implant can be at least partially resheathed and repositioned if desired.

Abstract: A replacement heart valve and method of treating valve insufficiency includes an expandable frame configured to engage a native valve annulus. A valve body is coupled to the frame. The valve body can include a leaflet portion and possibly a skirt portion. A portion of the frame has a foreshortening portion configured to longitudinally expand when urged to a radially compacted state and longitudinally contract when urged to a radially expanded state. In one embodiment the valve skirt is attached to the frame so that it can adapt to changes in the length of the frame. A delivery device in some embodiments can use one or more coverings, such as sheaths, to controllably release the replacement heart valve at a native heart valve.

Abstract: A prosthesis can be configured to be deployed within a body cavity. The prosthesis has an expandable frame, a plurality of proximal anchors, and a plurality of distal anchors, where the various anchors are connected to the frame. Radial expansion of the frame can cause the ends of the proximal anchors and the ends of the distal anchors to draw closer together.

Abstract: A replacement heart valve and method of treating valve insufficiency includes an expandable frame configured to engage a native valve annulus. A valve body is coupled to the frame. The valve body can include a leaflet portion and possibly a skirt portion. A portion of the frame has a foreshortening portion configured to longitudinally expand when urged to a radially compacted state and longitudinally contract when urged to a radially expanded state. In one embodiment the valve skirt is attached to the frame so that it can adapt to changes in the length of the frame. A delivery device in some embodiments can use one or more coverings, such as sheaths, to controllably release the replacement heart valve at a native heart valve.

Abstract: A vascular implant for replacing a native heart valve comprises a self expanding stent supporting a valve body having leaflets. The stent preferably comprises an anchoring structure configured to prevent the implant from passing through the valve annulus. For delivery, the implant is compacted within a delivery device and secured at one end. During delivery the implant is partially released from the delivery device, and positioning of the implant can be verified prior to full release. The implant can be at least partially resheathed and repositioned if desired.

Abstract: A replacement heart valve has an expandable frame configured to engage a native valve annulus and a valve body mounted to the expandable frame. The valve body can have a plurality of valve leaflets configured to open to allow flow in a first direction and engage one another so as to close and prevent flow in a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction.

Abstract: An expandable vascular stent includes an m×n array of ovals formed in a cylinder, m being the number of columns of ovals in the circumferential direction and n being the number of rows of ovals in the axial direction, and a plurality of prongs extending inwardly from the outer ends of respective ovals in rows 1 and n of the m×n array, and being arranged in facing pairs extending from axially-aligned ovals. The cylinder is expandable from an initial diameter to a pre-determined final diameter, wherein an increase in the diameter of the stent results in a substantial decrease in the length of the stent. The tube and the prongs can be made of surgical stainless steel, the tube being expandable using an angioplasty balloon; or the tube and the prongs can be made of a memory metal and the tube is self-expanding.

Abstract: A vascular implant for replacing a native heart valve comprises a self expanding stent supporting a valve body having leaflets. The stent preferably comprises an anchoring structure configured to prevent the implant from passing through the valve annulus. For delivery, the implant is compacted within a delivery device and secured at one end. During delivery the implant is partially released from the delivery device, and positioning of the implant can be verified prior to full release. The implant can be at least partially resheathed and repositioned if desired.

Abstract: A heart valve includes a valve body made of a flexible material such as pericardium. The valve body is made of two layers of material, an outer layer, and an inner layer that defines a plurality of leaflets. The leaflets of the inner layer are attached to the outer layer. In some embodiments the valve body is made by cutting a single piece of flat source tissue, folding the cut tissue and forming it into a tubular pattern having the inner and outer layers. The multi-layer valve body can be mounted on a stent for delivery within a patient's heart.

Abstract: A prosthesis can be configured to be deployed within a body cavity. The prosthesis has an expandable frame, a plurality of proximal anchors, and a plurality of distal anchors, where the various anchors are connected to the frame. Radial expansion of the frame can cause the ends of the proximal anchors and the ends of the distal anchors to draw closer together.

Abstract: A medical treatment system and method of treatment is described having an implant that can be positioned and deployed, then undeployed to allow repositioning of the implant. The system includes a self-expanding medical implant that longitudinally foreshortens upon radially expanding from a radially compacted state, a distal interface configured to attach the implant to a distal mount of a delivery device, and a proximal interface configured to attach the implant to a proximal mount of the delivery device. Moving the distal mount longitudinally away from the proximal mount applies a longitudinal tension to the implant causing the implant to expand longitudinally and contract radially, and moving the distal mount toward the proximal mount reduces a longitudinal tension in the implant allowing the implant to expand radially toward a fully expanded state.

Abstract: A compacted vascular implant can be delivered to a target location within a delivery device. During delivery, the implant can be partially released from the delivery device before full deployment. The delivery device can include an elongated support tube, a locking mechanism, and a sheath. The locking mechanism can be provided on the support tube. The sheath can be configured to slide over the elongated support tube and can be configured to cover the locking mechanism and to restrain at least a portion of the implant.

Abstract: A replacement heart valve can comprise a valve body and an elongate frame. The valve body can define a plurality of leaflets adapted to move between an open state and a coapted state. The elongate frame can be configured to move between a radially compacted state and a radially expanded state, the frame comprising a plurality of struts. Stitches attach the valve body to the plurality of struts. At least one of the stitches can be a loose stitch configured to freely slide over the corresponding strut when the frame is moved between the radially compacted and radially expanded states.