Abstract: A blood processing apparatus may include a heat exchanger and a gas exchanger. At least one of the heat exchanger and the gas exchanger may be configured to impart a radial component to blow flow through the heat exchanger and/or gas exchanger. The heat exchanger may be configured to cause blood flow to follow a spiral flow path.

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: Techniques for reaching the interior of the heart, such as for aortic valve replacement, can combine elements of percutaneous implantation methods and elements of surgical implantation methods. In some instances, aortic valve replacement may include a dual transapical approach in which a transfemoral approach is used to reach the apex of the patient's heart from inside the left ventricle while a minimally invasive surgical procedure provides access to the exterior of the apex via an intercostal approach.

Abstract: A monitoring system for cardiac operations with cardiopulmonary bypass comprising: a processor operatively connected to a heart-lung machine; a pump flow detecting device connected to a pump of the heart-lung machine to continuously measure the pump flow value and send it to the processor; a hematocrit reading device to continuously measure the blood hematocrit value and to send it to the processor; a data input device to allow the operator to manually input data regarding the arterial oxygen saturation and the arterial oxygen tension; computing means integrated in the processor to compute the oxygen delivery value on the basis of the measured pump flow, the measured hematocrit value, the preset value of arterial oxygen saturation, and the preset value of arterial oxygen tension; and a display connected to the processor to display in real-time the computed oxygen delivery value.

Abstract: A system for removing undesirable elements from blood. The system includes a centrifuge bowl to separate the blood into components according to relative densities of the components, a pump to provide wash solution that washes the blood in the centrifuge bowl, and a controller to wash the blood in the centrifuge bowl in a first wash and remove first undesirable elements and to wash the blood in the centrifuge bowl in a second wash and remove trapped undesirable elements. The controller to further mix the blood and the wash solution in the centrifuge bowl and provide diluted blood, separate the diluted blood into concentrated blood and the wash solution, fill the centrifuge bowl with previously concentrated blood to build a buffy coat, and empty the centrifuge bowl of the concentrated blood and the previously concentrated blood after the buffy coat is reached.

Abstract: A device for measuring an internal dimension of a native cardiac valve annulus includes an elongated support member having a proximal portion and a distal portion. A measuring portion is coupled to the distal portion, and an indicator is coupled to the proximal portion of the support member. The measuring portion is biased towards a deployed configuration such that when deployed it applies an outwardly directed radial force to the native valve annulus.

Abstract: A prosthesis for implantation at an implantation site proximate a native aortic valve, the implantation site including a valve annulus and a plurality of Valsalva sinuses located distal to the valve annulus. The prosthesis comprises an armature and a valve connected to the armature, wherein the armature includes a proximal portion configured for anchorage to the valve annulus, a distal portion configured to be positioned distal to the Valsalva sinuses when the proximal portion is anchored to the valve annulus, and first, second and third Valsalva sinus anchors each extending between and connecting the proximal and distal portions and arching radially outward between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The Valsalva sinus anchors are positioned so that each can extend into and engage a wall of a different one of the Valsalva sinuses.

Abstract: A collapsible valve prosthesis includes an armature and a set of prosthetic valve leaflets supported by the armature. The armature is expandable from a contracted condition to an expanded condition for anchoring at an annulus of a natural valve site, and includes a tubular intra-annular portion defining a blood flow lumen having an inflow side and an outflow side. The tubular intra-annular portion supports the prosthetic valve leaflets in the blood flow lumen and is provided with outward formations for coupling with the natural valve site. The armature includes an over-annular portion linked to the intra-annular portion to extend collar-like over the annulus of the natural valve site at the inflow side of the blood flow lumen. The armature may also include an under-annular portion to extend collar-like at the outflow side of the blood flow lumen. The prosthesis may permit mitral valve replacement (MVR) without removing the native valve leaflets and the chordae tendineae.

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 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 venous reservoir including a single inlet line clamp capable of partially or completely restricting blood flow to the venous reservoir. The venous reservoir is provided with a rigid back plate or bracket that can accommodate an inlet line capable of joining to at least one blood inlet port. The rigid back plate or bracket can accommodate a clamp capable of completely or partially closing the inlet line containing both the cardiotomy line and the venous line to manually control the blood flow drained from the patient.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a perfusion system that is easy to set-up, use and monitor during a bypass procedure. In some embodiments, the disclosure pertains to a perfusion system in which at least some of the disposable components used with the perfusion system are configured to be able to communicate set-up and/or operational parameters to the perfusion system. In some embodiments, the disclosure pertains to a blood level sensor that can be used to monitor a blood level or volume within a blood reservoir. The blood level sensor may be utilized in an integrated perfusion system in which the disposable components are configured, as noted above, to communicate with the perfusion system. In some embodiments, the blood level sensor may be utilized with a perfusion system lacking communication with disposables.

Abstract: A holder for heart valve prostheses, the holder including a hub portion having a longitudinal axis, an engagement portion coupled to the hub portion and including plural L-shaped finger members variably positionable relative to the hub portion between a collapsed condition wherein the finger members are closed onto the hub portion and an expanded condition wherein the finger members radially protrude with respect to the hub portion to engage a heart valve prosthesis.

Abstract: Described is a prosthetic device and methods for repairing a mitral valve having an annulus, leaflets, and chordae tendinae. The device comprises an elongate band including a plurality of reference elements that are located along the elongate band and protrude inwardly with respect thereto towards a center of the annulus, the plurality of reference elements being adapted to receive a corresponding plurality of artificial cords that are tied onto the reference elements and the plurality of reference elements adapted to be cut or removed in order to release the tied artificial cords.

Abstract: A method of repairing a native cardiac valve such as the aortic valve includes positioning a cardiac valve prosthesis at an implantation site proximate the native cardiac valve to be repaired. The cardiac valve prosthesis includes an armature and a plurality of prosthetic valve leaflets, the armature including first and second annular elements, a plurality of anchor members extending between the first and second annular elements, and a plurality of valve support members extending from at least one of the first and second annular elements, the plurality of prosthetic valve leaflets being coupled to and supported by the valve support members.

Abstract: A method of treating a biological tissue for biological prostheses includes steps of fixation of the biological tissue via a fixing solution including glutaraldehyde and detoxification of the fixed biological tissue via treatment with a detoxifying solution. The detoxification step includes one or both of eliminating phospholipids via treatment with an elimination solution and a treatment with a detoxifying solution. The elimination solution includes 1,2-octanediol and ethanol. The detoxifying solution includes taurine or homocysteic acid.

Abstract: A blood processing apparatus may include a heat exchanger and a gas exchanger. At least one of the heat exchanger and the gas exchanger may be configured to impart a radial component to blow flow through the heat exchanger and/or gas exchanger. The heat exchanger may be configured to cause blood flow to follow a spiral flow path.

Abstract: A support device for implanting a stentless heart valve prosthesis having three leaflets adapted for coapting and defining three corresponding commissures is disclosed. The support device includes a shaft defining a manipulation axis, the shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, and three support formations integrally formed and extending from the proximal end of the shaft, the support formations angularly distributed about the manipulation axis of the shaft, such that each of the support formations correspond to locations of each of the commissures of the stentless heart valve prosthesis. The shaft includes a connection portion flexibly connecting the shaft and the support formations to permit a displacement of the manipulation axis with respect to the support formations. The shaft, the plurality of support formations and the connection portion are integrally formed from a single tubular element.

Abstract: A continuous centrifugal blood separation device has a simple and reliable structure. The continuous blood centrifugal device includes an RBC (red blood cell) collector that is coaxial with a supernatant collector. The continuous blood centrifugal device includes an axial symmetric barrier disposed between the RBC collector and the supernatant collector in order to avoid turbulence that can otherwise be caused by the supernatant collector.

Abstract: A device for anchoring a prosthetic heart valve on biological tissue, includes first and second anchoring assemblies, mutually couplable to secure biological tissue therebetween. The anchoring assemblies include at least one pair of complementary arched portions having anchoring formations for anchoring on the biological tissue. The anchoring formations include integral extensions of the anchoring assemblies extending radially outwardly of one of the anchoring assemblies.