Abstract: A hybrid prosthetic heart valve configured to replace a native heart valve and having a support frame configured to be expanded post implant in order to receive and/or support an expandable prosthetic heart valve therein (a valve-in-valve procedure). The prosthetic heart valve may be configured to have a generally rigid and/or expansion-resistant configuration when initially implanted to replace a native valve (or other prosthetic heart valve), but to assume a generally expanded form when subjected to an outward force such as that provided by a dilation balloon or other mechanical expander. An inflow stent frame is expandable for anchoring the valve in place, and may have an outflow end that is collapsible for delivery and expandable post-implant to facilitate a valve-in-valve procedure.

Abstract: An implantable device includes a first sealed flexible shell configured for implantation within a breast of a human subject, an elastic filler material contained within the first sealed flexible shell, a second sealed flexible shell, which is disposed within the elastic filler material inside the first sealed flexible shell and a volume of gas contained within the second sealed flexible shell, such that the volume of the gas is less than a threshold inflation volume required to induce a non-zero strain in the second sealed flexible shell when the device is subject to an external pressure of one atmosphere.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis system for a branched body lumen comprises a branch vessel prosthesis. The branch vessel prosthesis is deployable within a branch vessel body lumen and comprises a stent having a generally tubular body portion, a flareable proximal end portion, and a coupling portion disposed intermediate the body portion and the flareable portion. The coupling portion is more crush-resistant than the body portion. The flareable proximal end may be disposed within a fenestrated stent graft wit with coupling portion disposed in the fenestration of the fenestrated stent graft.

Abstract: A stent or other prosthesis may be formed by coating a single continuous wire scaffold with a polymer coating. The polymer coating may consist of layers of electrospun polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Electrospun PTFE of certain porosities may permit endothelial cell growth within the prosthesis.

Abstract: A stent or other prosthesis may be formed by coating a single continuous wire scaffold with a polymer coating. The polymer coating may consist of layers of electrospun polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Electrospun PTFE of certain porosities may permit endothelial cell growth within the prosthesis.

Abstract: A vessel implant for the treatment of an aneurysm, i.e. a dilatation of the cross-sectional area of a blood vessel, may include an elongate body having an inlet opening, an outlet opening, and a passage connecting the inlet opening to the outlet opening for the blood flowing through the blood vessel. The passage may be bounded in the peripheral direction by a blood-impermeable wall and the inlet opening may have a larger cross-sectional area than the outlet opening. The body may be provided with blood-permeable fixing means for the end of the body at the outlet opening side. The fixing means may be designed for contact with the vessel wall of the blood vessel. The fixing means may be designed to hold the body spaced apart from the vessel wall of the blood vessel in the region of the outlet opening.

Abstract: A method of deploying a prosthesis within a native mitral valve is disclosed. The expandable frame preferably includes about twelve proximal anchors, wherein the proximal anchors have free ends positioned radially outwardly from the frame in an expanded configuration. The expandable frame preferably includes about twelve distal anchors, wherein the distal anchors also have a free ends positioned radially outwardly from the frame and extend toward a proximal end when the frame is in the expanded configuration. A valve body is supported within the frame for preventing blood flow in one direction. The expandable frame is radially expanded during deployment, which causes the free ends of the proximal and distal anchors to move closer together. In the expanded configuration, the proximal anchors are positioned on an inflow side of the native mitral valve and the distal anchors are positioned on an outflow side of the native mitral valve.

Abstract: An interbody fusion cage having upper and lower canals for receiving the heads of bone screws that have been pre-installed in opposing vertebral body endplates. The proximal wall of the cage preferably has a vertical slot that communicates with each canal and is adapted to allow access by a screwdriver and tightening of the screws.

Abstract: A stent comprising: two or more stent sections; one or more rods extending between the two or more stent sections; wherein one the one or more rods is fixedly connected to a fixed anchor that is connected to a first of the two or more stent sections, and a second of the two or more of stent sections are movable connected to one of the one or more rods by a movable anchor; and wherein the stent supports an opening of an anatomical passageway.

Abstract: Artificial heart valve structures and methods of their fabrication are disclosed. The heart valve structures may be fabricated from a biocompatible polymer and include one or more heart valve leaflet structures incorporated within a conduit. The valve structures may incorporate one or more conduit sinuses, as well as a gap between the lower margin of the valve leaflets and the interior of the conduit. In addition, the valve structures may include one or more valve sinuses created in a space between the valve leaflets and the conduit inner surface. Computational fluid dynamics and mechanical modeling may be used to design the valve leaflets with optimal characteristics. A heart valve structure may also incorporate a biodegradable component to which cells may adhere The incorporated cells may arise from patient cells migrating to the biodegradable component, or the component may be pre-seeded with cells prior to implantation in a patient.

Abstract: A system for repairing an atrioventricular valve of a patient is provided. First and second tissue-engaging elements are configured for implantation at first and second implantation sites of the patient, respectively. First and second flexible longitudinal members are coupled at respective first end portions thereof to the first and the second tissue-engaging elements, respective. Each of the first and the second flexible longitudinal members comprises a braided polyester suture or a plurality of wires that are intertwined to form a rope structure. First and second flexible-longitudinal-member-coupling elements are coupled to respective second end portions of the first and the second flexible longitudinal members. The first and the second flexible-longitudinal-member-coupling elements are configured to be couplable together during an implantation procedure to couple together the first and the second flexible longitudinal elements.

Abstract: An expandable mammary implant including a shell having an anterior face and a posterior face. The anterior has an upper pole portion and a lower pole portion meeting at an apex, and an injection zone for receiving fluid therethrough to inflate the implant. A reinforcement material is coupled to the shell in a reinforcement zone. The reinforcement material is coupled to the shell so as to at least coincide with the upper pole portion and a peripheral rim portion that extends from the posterior face upwardly into said anterior face by a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthetic mitral heart valve includes advancing a guidewire through a femoral vein, an atrial septum, and a native mitral valve. A guide catheter is advanced over the guidewire and a delivery catheter is advanced through the guide catheter. A mitral valve assembly is disposed along a distal end of the delivery catheter. The mitral valve assembly includes a stent and a valve having three leaflets. The stent has a flared inlet end, an outlet end, and an intermediate portion with a plurality of prongs disposed along its outer surface. The mitral valve assembly is deployed with the flared inlet end positioned in a left atrium and the intermediate portion positioned between native mitral valve leaflets. The prongs penetrate surrounding tissue for preventing upward migration of the mitral valve assembly and the flared inlet end is shaped for preventing downward migration.

Abstract: Provided is a graft material capable of securing a sufficient space for regenerated tissue in the implantation site, and thereby promoting the regeneration of a blood vessel. Specifically, the present invention provides a revascularization graft material including an outer tube and an inner tube each being formed by knitting twisted yarns of biodegradable single yarns into a hollow tubular structure, wherein there is provided, in the lumen of the outer tube, at least one inner tube having an outer diameter smaller than the lumen diameter of the outer tube. The inner tube functions as a core material for the outer tube, and accordingly the revascularization graft material is excellent in kinking resistance, and the occlusion of the lumen hardly occurs.

Abstract: A device for improving the function of a heart valve comprises a first loop-shaped support, which is configured to abut a first side of the heart valve, and a first flange unit being connected to said first loop-shaped support. The flange unit is configured to be arranged against said annulus when said first loop-shaped support is abutting said heart valve.

Abstract: A catheter device having a shaft that extends from a proximal end to a distal end to carry on its distal end a self-expanding implant for intraluminal advance on a guidewire and delivery of the implant to an implant site by proximal withdrawal of a sheath that lies radially outside the implant in the catheter, the catheter including a first shaft element to pull the sheath proximally and a second shaft element to push the implant distally to prevent the implant moving proximally with the sheath when the sheath is pulled proximally, wherein the second shaft element carries a stopper for abutting the implant, the stopper including proximal and distal portions having different radiopacities.

Abstract: A prosthesis can comprise an expandable frame, a plurality of distal anchors and a plurality of proximal anchors. The anchors can extend outwardly from the frame. The frame can be configured to radially expand and contract for deployment within a body cavity. The frame and anchors can have one of many different shapes and configurations. For example, when the frame is in an expanded configuration, the frame can have a larger cross-sectional dimension in a middle portion of the frame and a smaller cross-sectional dimension in a proximal portion and a distal portion of the frame, wherein the middle portion is between the proximal and distal portions. As another example, the anchors can have looped ends, the entire anchor may loop out from the frame.

Abstract: A method for treating a heart valve of a patient includes inserting into a heart and in contact with a valve surface, an implant including an elongate element and a locking mechanism coupled to the elongate element. The locking mechanism has a resting position that provides a locked state preventing movement of the elongate element with respect to the locking mechanism. The heart valve is treated by facilitating movement of the elongate element with respect to the locking mechanism by maintaining application of a force to the locking mechanism using a tool, and thereby maintaining the locking mechanism in an unlocked state during the facilitating of the movement of the elongate element with respect to the locking mechanism. Subsequently, the locking mechanism is transitioned to the resting position by decoupling the tool from the locking mechanism.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis has an expanded state and a contracted state, the endoprosthesis includes a stent having an inner surface defining a lumen, having an outer surface, and defining a plurality of apertures through the outer surface, wherein the apertures are arranged in a micropattern; and a coating (e.g., polymeric coating) attached to the outer surface of the stent. The coating includes a base and a tissue engagement portion including a second surface facing outwardly from the stent, the tissue engagement portion including a structure that defines a plurality of holes extending inwardly from the second surface toward the base. The holes are arranged in a micropattern. When the endoprosthesis is expanded to the expanded state in a lumen defined by a vessel wall, the structure applies a force that may reduce stent migration by creating an interlock between the vessel wall and the endoprosthesis.

Abstract: Valved conduits are provided that include a leaflet construct coupled between two portions of a conduit. Each leaflet has a free edge and a leaflet attachment edge. The leaflet attachment edge is disposed between a first conduit distal end and a second conduit proximal end that are coaxial therebetween defining a junction.