Abstract: An intravascular cuff acts as a lining between a native vessel and an intravascular prosthetic device. During deployment, the ends of the cuff curl back upon themselves and are capable of trapping native tissue, such as valve leaflet tissue, between the ends. The cuff creates a seal between the vessel and the prosthetic, thereby preventing leakage around the prosthetic. The cuff also traps any embolic material dislodged from the vessel during expansion of the prosthetic.
Abstract: A device and method for controlling commissural tip deflection of a prosthetic valve, thereby both preventing failure due to repeated movement and/or uneven loading of the commissural points and also improving coaptation of the valve leaflets, including connecting reinforcing material between the commissural points so a spring-like span is created across the points. The spanning material may be in the form of a ring that is lashed, sewn or otherwise connected to the commissural points. The reinforcing material may form curved segments between the commissural points that extend outwardly to form sinuses behind the leaflets of the prosthetic valve. The reinforcing material may also extend in an upstream direction to avoid interfering with blood flowing out of the prosthetic valve.
Abstract: An intravascular cuff acts as a lining between a native vessel and an intravascular prosthetic device. During deployment, the ends of the cuff curl back upon themselves and are capable of trapping native tissue, such as valve leaflet tissue, between the ends. The cuff creates a seal between the vessel and the prosthetic, thereby preventing leakage around the prosthetic. The cuff also traps any embolic material dislodged from the vessel during expansion of the prosthetic.
Abstract: A prosthetic valve assembly that includes a stent, a tissue sleeve and an anchoring mechanism. By loading the three components of the valve assembly into a delivery catheter in a series formation, such that no two components are located within each other, the size of the delivery catheter can be reduced.
Abstract: A stentless support structure capable of being at least partly assembled in situ. The support structure comprises a braided tube that is very flexible and, when elongated, becomes very long and very small in diameter, thereby being capable of placement within a small diameter catheter. The support structure is preferably constructed of one or more thin strands of a super-elastic or shape memory material such as Nitinol. When released from the catheter, the support structure folds itself into a longitudinally compact configuration. The support structure thus gains significant strength as the number of folds increase. This radial strength obviates the need for a support stent. The support structure may include attachment points for a prosthetic valve.
Abstract: A delivery device usable to deliver an inverting implant is provided that includes a positioning mechanism that automatically initiates the inversion process once a predetermined length of the implant has exited a delivery catheter. The positioning mechanism allows the implant to be safely and accurately deployed with reduced operator experience and in a greater variety of target locations.
Abstract: A support, and a method for attaching said support, for providing additional strength to existing regurgitant or prolapsed valve leaflets. The support restores an otherwise non-functioning, or poorly functioning, native valve to a functioning condition, obviating the need for a complete valve removal or replacement. The support may also be applied to a functioning valve leaflet as a prophylactic measure against future failure. The delivery method includes a delivery mechanism for attaching the support to the native valve leaflet.