Abstract: A support device for implanting stentless valve prostheses, such as biological heart valves, includes a hub and a plurality of support portions for supporting the stentless valve prosthesis. The hub defines a manipulation axis for the device and is flexibly connected to the support portions to allow displacing the manipulation axis for the device between the support portions.

Abstract: Described is a valve prosthesis comprising: an annular structure, and a plurality of valve leaflets, and a plurality of anchoring members attached around the annular structure, the anchoring members including: a web portion coupled to the annular structure and extending axially thereto, and two end portions at axially opposed sides of the web portion, the end portions having: an insertion condition for insertion of the prosthesis, wherein the end portions are aligned to the web portion and extend axially with respect to the annular structure; and an anchoring condition for anchoring the prosthesis, wherein the end portions extend at an angle to the web portion radially outwardly of the annular structure to provide anchoring of the prosthesis proximally and distally, respectively, of the annulus, and wherein one end portion forms an obtuse angle with the web portion.

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 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: An oxygenator combines, in a single structure, a heat exchanger, a gas exchanger, an arterial filter, and a filter frame. Such an oxygenator permits fewer fluid connections and thus may simplify an extracorporeal blood circuit, including a heart-lung machine and a blood reservoir, in which it is used. In some embodiments, the oxygenator may be configured to include multiple purge ports for purging bubbles both before and after filtering the blood.

Abstract: A device for anchoring on biological tissue a prosthetic heart valve, 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.

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 kit for implanting a prosthetic vascular conduit includes a prosthetic vascular conduit for coupling to a prosthetic valve having an annular portion. The conduit includes a terminal collar member for receiving the valve. The kit further includes a holder including a shaft and a hub including a receiving portion configured for housing a prosthetic valve. The conduit is fitted on the holder so that at least a portion of the conduit wraps over the receiving portion of the hub. A sleeve member fitted onto the conduit in a position corresponding to the receiving portion of the hub, and a portion of the collar member is wrapped or folded over the sleeve member. The sleeve member is slidable away from the hub to unwrap the collar member such that it is disposed around the annular portion of a prosthetic valve.

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 order to unlock further functionality within the perfusion system.

Abstract: A kit for facilitating crimping of a prosthetic heart valve for implantation at an aortic valve site in a human heart, the aortic valve site including a plurality of valve sinuses, the kit comprising a prosthetic aortic heart valve having a tubular structure and a first central axis including an anchoring structure comprising an annular outflow member, an annular inflow member, and a plurality of axial connection formations arranged in pairs angularly distributed around the central axis, and a plurality of leaflets coupled to the anchoring structure and adapted to substantially allow blood flow in a first direction and to substantially prevent blood flow in a second direction.

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 blood reservoir may be used in combination with other elements such as a heart lung machine (HLM), oxygenator, heat exchanger, arterial filter and the like to form an extracorporeal blood circuit that may be employed in a procedure such as a bypass procedure. The blood reservoir may be configured to receive, filter and store blood from a number of sources including vent blood (from within the heart), venous blood (from a major vein), purge blood (from a sampling line) and cardiotomy or suction blood (from the surgical field).

Abstract: A blood processing apparatus may include a heat exchanger and a gas exchanger. The heat exchanger may be configured to provide a cross-flow or radially directed blood flow through the heat exchanger.

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: 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 order to unlock further functionality within the perfusion system.

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 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 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 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 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.