Abstract: A device for locating an operational unit within a patient's body within the framework of a minimally-invasive surgery intervention includes a shaft having a distal end carrying an operational unit. The device includes an illuminator located at the distal end of the shaft. The illuminator is selectively adjustable to provide a selectively variable lighting field in correspondence with the operational unit. The device may be, for example, a delivery system for a heart valve or a balloon device for post-dilation of such a heart valve once implanted.

Abstract: A stent has a substantially tubular body defining a longitudinal axis including first and second adjacent annular segments, each segment defining a substantially sinusoidal shape having a plurality of peaks and valleys, the peaks of the first segment extending toward the second segment and being aligned longitudinally with the valleys of the second segment. A plurality of bridge elements interconnect the annular segments. Each bridge element has a U-shaped portion between first and second connector arms, the first connector arm of one bridge element being connected between a first peak and a first valley of the first segment and the second connector arm of the one bridge element being connected between a first peak and a first valley of the second segment.

Abstract: A stent has surface sculpturing, preferably on its outer surface only, having, for example, microspheres, having the function of increasing the actual geometric surface area of the stent, of creating undercuts and roughness to encourage the application of coatings of active or activatable agents, as well as of improving the attachment of the stent to the blood vessel wall.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis includes an expandable prosthetic valve including three valve leaflets coupled to an anchoring structure. The anchoring structure includes an annular member and a plurality of arms movably coupled to the annular member at one end. The free ends of the arms extend radially away from the prosthesis toward a valve annulus. The arms are configured to fit in a space defined between an open native valve leaflet and a wall of a valve sinus. The arms are sufficiently resilient such that they resist downward movement in response to pressure exerted on the prosthesis, facilitating anchorage and stabilization of the prosthesis at the implantation site.

Abstract: A stent has surface sculpturing, preferably on its outer surface only, having, for example, microspheres, having the function of increasing the actual geometric surface area of the stent, of creating undercuts and roughness to encourage the application of coatings of active or activatable agents, as well as of improving the attachment of the stent to the blood vessel wall.

Abstract: A tool for facilitating access to the inside of a vessel and/or surgery on a vessel or an organ connected to the vessel. The vessel has a proximal end and a distal end, while the tool has a substantially cylindrical band and an arm. The band has a deployed configuration capable of opening the proximal portion of the vessel. The arm is connected to the band and has a deployed configuration capable of at least partially flattening the distal end of the vessel to improve the view inside the vessel. When deployed in a vessel, the tool holds the vessel in an open configuration and provides the physician with a surgical operating field, and the ability to pass a prosthesis through said tool and in a desired location within an organ.

Abstract: An angioplasty stent comprises a body comprising a plurality of successive segments connected in pairs by bridge means so that the successive segments can be oriented relative to one another for the purposes of bending of the body in any direction defined by a linear combination of respective orientation axes defined by the bridge connection means. During the radial expansion of the stent, the axial contraction of the segments resulting from the opening-out of the respective loops is compensated by axial projection of the bridge elements from the respective concave portions. The wall of the body comprises arms for supporting a lumen as well as regions which are selectively deformable during the expansion of the stent, the arms and the selectively deformable regions having different cross-sections and/or cross-sectional areas. At least one portion of the body may have a substantially reticular structure, the branches of which define geometrical figures identifiable as fractals.

Abstract: An atraumatic heart valve prosthesis includes a prosthetic valve coupled to an expandable anchoring structure including a outflow portion configured to taper inwardly in a distal direction towards a central axis of the prosthesis. By this configuration, the distal end of the anchoring structure imparts less force upon the vessel wall (e.g., the aortic tunica intima) during continued expansion and contraction of the heart. The expandable anchoring structure can be balloon expandable or self-expanding.

Abstract: A stent has surface sculpturing, preferably on its outer surface only, having, for example, microspheres, having the function of increasing the actual geometric surface area of the stent, of creating undercuts and roughness to encourage the application of coatings of active or activatable agents, as well as of improving the attachment of the stent to the blood vessel wall.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes at least one sealing member. The sealing member is adapted to conform to any surface irregularities found on the inner surface of the valve annulus, including any calcium deposits formed on the valve leaflets. The sealing member can be self-expanding or non-expanding. When deployed, the sealing member is adapted to create a blood tight seal between the prosthetic heart valve and the inner surface of the valve annulus thereby minimizing and/or eliminating perivalvular leakage at the implantation site.

Abstract: A system for implanting a heart valve prosthesis in a patient's heart includes a balloon expandable, tissue, stented heart valve, and an apical valve delivery device for delivering the stented heart valve to a target site in the patient's heart. The delivery device includes an inflation balloon module for expanding the stented heart valve prosthesis, markers on the delivery device to assist in location of the delivery device at an appropriate location, and a streamlined cap.

Abstract: A device for implanting an expandable heart valve prosthesis at a valve annulus in a patient's heart includes an implantation device configured to extend from a first opening in the patient's body, through the patient's aorta, through a valve annulus, through an opening in a ventricle, and to exit through the patient's thoracic region. The device further includes a port having a hemostasis valve for providing access through the patient's thoracic region and into the ventricle and at least two interchangeable modules configured for delivery using the implantation device.

Abstract: A filter for body fluids includes a housing with a filtering element. The filtering element is made of a filtering material pleated and wrapped in a cylindrical configuration. The pleated material includes an alternation of long pleats and short pleats. Intermediate length pleats with an intermediate length may also be present. The alternation may include, for example, each long pleat interposed between two short pleats or each long pleat interposed between two pairs of short pleats.

Abstract: A device for crimping an implantable device or a part thereof between a radially expanded condition and a radially contracted condition, includes first and second annular bodies arranged about a common axis, and a ring-like array of linear crimping elements having respective opposite ends linked to the first and second annular bodies, respectively. These annular bodies are relatively rotatable around the common axis between a first position, wherein the annular array of crimping elements define a wider orifice for receiving a device to be crimped, and a second position, wherein the annular array of crimping elements define a narrower orifice.

Abstract: An instrument for deploying a cardiac valve prosthesis, including a plurality of radially expandable portions, at an implantation site, includes a plurality of deployment elements each independently operable to obtain the radial expansion of a radially expandable portion of the valve prosthesis. A method for deploying the cardiac valve prosthesis includes advancing the instrument to an implant site and independently actuating the radially expandable portions.

Abstract: A cardiac-valve prosthesis is adapted for percutaneous implantation. The prosthesis includes an armature adapted for deployment in a radially expanded implantation position, the armature including a support portion and an anchor portion, which are substantially axially coextensive with respect to one another. A set of leaflets is coupled to the support portion. The leaflets can be deployed with the armature in the implantation position. The leaflets define, in the implantation position, a flow duct that is selectably obstructable. The anchor portion can be deployed to enable anchorage of the cardiac-valve prosthesis at an implantation site.

Abstract: A cardiac-valve prosthesis which can be used, for example, as a valve for percutaneous implantation. The prosthesis includes an armature for anchorage of the valve prosthesis in the implantation site. The armature defines a lumen for passage of the blood flow and supports a set of prosthetic valve leaflets, which, under the action of the blood flow, are able to move into a radially divaricated condition to enable the flow of the blood through the lumen in a first direction and a radially contracted condition, in which the valve leaflets co-operate with one another and block the flow of the blood through the prosthesis in the opposite direction. The armature includes, in one embodiment, two annular elements connected by anchor members having the capacity of projecting radially with respect to the prosthesis, and support members for the set of leaflets, the support members being carried by at least one of the annular elements so as to leave substantially disengaged the aforesaid lumen for passage of the blood.

Abstract: An instrument for positioning a cardiac valve prosthesis in a vessel includes a wire element to slidingly guide the valve prosthesis towards an implantation site and an expandable element coupled to the wire element. The expandable element is expandable in the vessel to position the wire element in association with the implantation site. A method for positioning a cardiac valve prosthesis includes securing a delivery instrument at an appropriate location at the implantation site and delivering the valve prosthesis to the implantation site using the delivery instrument.

Abstract: An instrument for positioning a cardiac valve prosthesis in a vessel includes a wire element to slidingly guide the valve prosthesis towards an implantation site and an expandable element coupled to the wire element. The expandable element is expandable in the vessel to position the wire element in association with the implantation site. A method for positioning a cardiac valve prosthesis includes securing a delivery instrument at an appropriate location at the implantation site and delivering the valve prosthesis to the implantation site using the delivery instrument.

Abstract: An instrument for deploying a cardiac valve prosthesis, including a plurality of radially expandable portions, at an implantation site, includes a plurality of deployment elements each independently operable to obtain the radial expansion of a radially expandable portion of the valve prosthesis. A method for deploying the cardiac valve prosthesis includes advancing the instrument to an implant site and independently actuating the radially expandable portions.