Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis including a frame, the frame including a plurality of struts designed to extend from an upstream side of a natural heart valve to a downstream side of the natural heart valve, and a plurality of connectors attached to the plurality of struts, wherein the plurality of connectors are arranged as arcs connecting the struts, the arcs having two ends, each end attached to one of the struts, and a peak pointing from a center of the frame circumferentially outward and toward the upstream side of the frame, and the plurality of connectors are arranged as at least two rows, each row circumnavigating the center lumen of the frame. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A device for reducing heart valve regurgitation including a plug for placing between natural heart valve leaflets, the plug shaped so that, upon systole, the natural heart leaflets coapt upon the plug, a frame attached to the plug by a bridging element, for supporting the plug between the natural heart valve leaflets, the frame having at least one dimension in a plane of the heart valve annulus which is wider than the diameter of the heart valve annulus, and a plurality of anchors attached to the device, for preventing the device from being swept upstream of the heart valve annulus upon systole. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A device for artificial cardiac valve support, the device including an upstream portion designed to expand to have at least one dimension wider than a native heart valve annulus, a downstream portion attached to the upstream portion, the downstream portion also designed to expand to have at least a portion with at least one dimension wider than a native heart valve annulus, and a plurality of artificial valve commissure posts. A method for producing a device for artificial cardiac valve support, the method including producing an upstream portion, producing a downstream portion, and attaching the upstream portion to the downstream portion, producing a frame for artificial cardiac valve support. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis frame, the frame comprising a hollow tube shape for allowing blood to flow through; an upstream portion designed to expand to have at least one dimension wider than a native heart valve annulus; a downstream portion attached to the upstream portion, the downstream portion also designed to expand to have at least a portion with at least one dimension wider than the native heart valve annulus; wherein the downstream portion is shaped to have one side of the downstream portion of the hollow tube frame extend less from a center of the hollow tube than an opposite side of the hollow tube.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis including a frame, the frame including a plurality of struts designed to extend from an upstream side of a natural heart valve to a downstream side of the natural heart valve, and a plurality of connectors attached to the plurality of struts, wherein the plurality of connectors are arranged as arcs connecting the struts, the arcs having two ends, each end attached to one of the struts, and a peak pointing from a center of the frame circumferentially outward and toward the upstream side of the frame, and the plurality of connectors are arranged as at least two rows, each row circumnavigating the center lumen of the frame. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A device for placing in a cardiac valve to assist operation of natural cardiac valve leaflets, the device including a frame for anchoring the device, configured to be placed upstream of the cardiac annulus and shaped to prevent the frame from shifting downstream of the cardiac valve annulus, and at least one anchor extension attached to the frame, the anchor extension configured to extend through the leaflets of the cardiac valve at commissures of the cardiac valve and behind the natural leaflets, preventing the anchor extensions from shifting back from the downstream side of the annulus to the upstream side of the annulus. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A valve prosthesis is adapted to operate in conjunction with native heart valve leaflets. The prosthesis includes an annulus and a skirt extending from the annulus. The skirt may be configured to be positioned through a native heart valve annulus, and the skirt may be movable between an open configuration permitting blood flow through the skirt and a closed configuration blocking blood flow through the skirt in cooperation with opening and closing of the native heart valve leaflets.

Abstract: A prosthesis including a frame configured for positioning at or near a native heart valve annulus, shaped and sized to prevent the frame element from shifting downstream of the native heart annulus, and at least two frame extensions attached to the frame at a first end proximal to the frame, the frame extensions configured and circumferentially arranged to extend between native heart valve leaflets, wherein the frame is configured for positioning at or near the native heart valve annulus with minimal interfering with opening and closing of the native heart valve leaflets, and the frame extensions are at least as long as the native heart leaflets, and are configured to extend between the native heart valve leaflets without interfering with opening and closing of the native heart valve leaflets. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A valve prosthesis is adapted to operate in conjunction with native heart valve leaflets. The prosthesis includes an annulus and a skirt extending from the annulus. The skirt may be configured to be positioned through a native heart valve annulus, and the skirt may be movable between an open configuration permitting blood flow through the skirt and a closed configuration blocking blood flow through the skirt in cooperation with opening and closing of the native heart valve leaflets.

Abstract: A valve prosthesis is adapted to operate in conjunction with native heart valve leaflets. The prosthesis includes an annulus and a skirt extending from the annulus. The skirt may be configured to be positioned through a native heart valve annulus, and the skirt may be movable between an open configuration permitting blood flow through the skirt and a closed configuration blocking blood flow through the skirt in cooperation with opening and closing of the native heart valve leaflets.