Abstract: A prosthesis is provided for implantation at a native semilunar valve of a native valve complex, the native valve complex having three semilunar sinuses and three native commissures. The prosthesis includes a valve prosthesis support, which comprises a support structure comprising exactly three engagement arms that meet one another at three respective junctures. The engagement arms are shaped so as define three peak complexes at the three respective junctures, and three trough complexes, each of which is between two of the peak complexes. Upon implantation of the prosthesis, each of the engagement arms is at least partially disposed within a respective one of the semilunar sinuses, such that each of the peak complexes is disposed distal to and in rotational alignment with a respective one of the native commissures, and each of the trough complexes is disposed at least partially within the respective one of the semilunar sinuses.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an ion plasma deposition (IPD) method adapted to coat polymer surfaces with highly adherent antimicrobial films. A controlled ion plasma deposition (IPD) process is used to coat a metal or polymer with a selected metal/metal oxide. Exposing the coated surface to ultraviolet light significantly improves the antimicrobial properties of the deposited coatings.

Abstract: A prosthesis is provided for implantation at a native semilunar valve of a native valve complex, the native valve complex having three semilunar sinuses and three native commissures. The prosthesis includes a valve prosthesis support, which comprises a support structure comprising exactly three engagement arms that meet one another at three respective junctures. The engagement arms are shaped so as define three peak complexes at the three respective junctures, and three trough complexes, each of which is between two of the peak complexes. Upon implantation of the prosthesis, each of the engagement arms is at least partially disposed within a respective one of the semilunar sinuses, such that each of the peak complexes is disposed distal to and in rotational alignment with a respective one of the native commissures, and each of the trough complexes is disposed at least partially within the respective one of the semilunar sinuses.

Abstract: Provided is a foldable one-way valve prosthesis has an open state allowing a fluid to pass therethrough, and a closed state, preventing or at least reducing a reverse fluid flow therethrough. Leaflets are attached to each other along their common side edges with a possibility of pivoting relative to each other about the common side edge when the leaflets are folded along their folding lines causing the short section of the downstream edge to be angled with respect to the long section thereof, so as to bring the valve prosthesis into the closed state.

Abstract: A prosthesis can include a collapsible, reexpandable frame comprising first, second, and third sets of struts that define first and second rows of expandable cells. In some embodiments, the struts of the first, second, and third set of struts can be tapered. In some embodiments, the frame can include an intermediate section and an inflow section that is proximal to the intermediate section. The inflow section can include a concave saddle portion that is adjacent the intermediate section, and an outwardly flared portion.

Abstract: In one embodiment according to the present invention, a stent is described having a generally cylindrical body formed from a single woven nitinol wire. The distal and proximal ends of the stent include a plurality of loops, some of which include marker members used for visualizing the position of the stent. In another embodiment, the previously described stent includes an inner flow diverting layer.

Abstract: A system has a heart valve assembly that includes a stent-frame having an anchoring section and an outflow section, with the anchoring section having a distal annulus section and a support section that is positioned between the distal annulus section and the outflow section. The distal annulus section has a concave inflection. A leaflet assembly is stitched to the anchoring section. The system also includes a balloon on which the heart valve assembly is crimped, the balloon having a central valve contact portion that has an outflow portion, a neck portion, and a central portion between the outflow portion, and the neck portion. The outflow portion of the balloon receives the outflow section of the stent-frame, the central portion of the contact portion of the balloon receives the support section of the stent-frame, and the neck portion receives the annulus section of the stent-frame.

Abstract: A collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent and a collapsible and expandable valve assembly. The stent has a proximal end and a distal end. A plurality of commissure points is disposed on the stent. The valve assembly is disposed within the stent and includes a plurality of leaflets. Each leaflet has a free edge. An end portion of the free edge of each leaflet is folded and sutured to a corresponding one of the plurality of the commissure points.

Abstract: An implantable graft may include a main section having walls formed with a woven fabric, the main section having a main lumen extending therethrough. The implantable graft may also include a bifurcated section having walls formed with the woven fabric, where the bifurcated section extends from main section, where the bifurcated section includes a first branch and a second branch, and where the first branch and the second branch each include a branch lumen in fluid communication with the main lumen. At least one branch of the bifurcated section may include a branch taper formed by a seam connecting a first woven layer and a second woven layer. A seam extension may extend outwardly along the seam of the branch taper, the seam extension being a single-layer woven structure.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve that is radially collapsible to a collapsed configuration and radially expandable to an expanded configuration includes an annular frame including a plurality of angled strut members, and a skirt member secured to the frame. The skirt member includes a plurality of extension portions wrapped around at least one strut member adjacent the extension portions. The prosthetic valve further includes a cord member threaded through at least a portion of the plurality of extension portions to secure the skirt member to the at least one strut member.

Abstract: Heart valve replacement often involves complications associated with paravalvular leaks. Vascular plug and occlusive devices, as well as heart valves particularly beneficial in treating the phenomenon of paravalvular leaks are described to address this issue.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve may include a valve assembly disposed within a stent, and first and second cuffs. The stent may extend in a longitudinal direction from an inflow end to an outflow end. The first cuff may be annularly disposed adjacent the stent. The second cuff may have a proximal edge facing toward the inflow end of the stent and a distal edge facing toward the outflow end of the stent. The second cuff may be annularly disposed about the stent radially outward of the first cuff. The distal edge of the second cuff may be coupled to the first cuff and/or the stent at a plurality of locations to form a pocket(s) between the first and second cuffs. The proximal edge of the second cuff may be coupled to first cuff and/or to the stent at a spaced distance from the inflow end of the stent.

Abstract: A transcatheter atrio-ventricular valve prosthesis for functional replacement of an atrio-ventricular valve in a connection channel, having a circumferential connection channel wall structure, between atrial and ventricular chambers of a heart, including an inner device to be disposed in the interior of the connection channel, the inner device having a circumferential support structure which is radially expandable and having a valve attached to the circumferential support structure, and an outer device to be disposed on the exterior of the connection channel, wherein the outer device at least partly extends around the inner device at a radial distance to the inner device, wherein the inner and outer devices form a securing mechanism for securing the circumferential connection channel wall structure therebetween.

Abstract: A transcatheter atrio-ventricular valve prosthesis for functional replacement of an atrio-ventricular valve in a connection channel, having a circumferential connection channel wall structure, between atrial and ventricular chambers of a heart, including an inner device to be disposed in the interior of the connection channel, the inner device having a circumferential support structure which is radially expandable and having a valve attached to the circumferential support structure, and an outer device to be disposed on the exterior of the connection channel, wherein the outer device at least partly extends around the inner device at a radial distance to the inner device, wherein the inner and outer devices form a securing mechanism for securing the circumferential connection channel wall structure therebetween.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present invention are a stent apparatus having a self-pleated skirt, a processing method therefor, a skirt pleating method, and a cardiac valve. The stent apparatus comprises a stent, and is further provided with a flexible skirt. The skirt comprises: an unfolded state, where the skirt extends axially and surrounds the periphery of the stent before release; and a stacked state, where the skirt is driven by deformation during release of the stent, and gathers and is stacked along an axial direction of the released stent to form an annular perivalvular leakage blocking part. The stent apparatus is further provided with a pull-wire which is merely threaded on the skirt, and the pull-wire may react to the radial deformation during the release of the stent to drive the skirt to enter the stacked state.

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: An implantable device includes an outer tubular member defining a longitudinal axis and a lumen. The outer tubular member includes: an outer wall portion having a plurality of first strands defining a plurality of first openings therebetween, the outer wall portion having a first porosity; and an inner baffle portion disposed within the lumen, the inner baffle portion including a plurality of second strands defining a plurality of second openings therebetween, the inner baffle portion having a second porosity that is lower than the first porosity of the outer wall portion.

Abstract: An example medical device for treating a body lumen is disclosed. The medical device includes an expandable scaffold including first and second regions, each of the first and second regions include a plurality of interstices located therein. The medical device also includes a covering spanning each of the plurality of interstices of the first region. The second region is free of the covering. A biodegradable gripping material is disposed on an outer surface of the covering. Further, the expandable scaffold is configured to shift from a collapsed state to an expanded state and the second region is configured to contact an inner surface of the body lumen in the expanded state. Additionally, the gripping material is designed to initially prevent migration of the expandable scaffold upon implantation in the body lumen until the second region is secured to the inner surface of the body lumen.

Abstract: Medical devices and method for making and using the same are disclosed. An example medical device may include implantable medical device for use along the biliary and/or pancreatic tract. The implantable medical device may include a tubular member having a first end configured to be disposed within the duodenum of a patient and a second end configured to be disposed adjacent to a pancreatic duct and/or bile duct. The tubular member may have a body including one or more wire filaments that are woven together. The tubular member may also have an outer surface with a longitudinal channel formed therein.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis includes a femoral component, a tibial component, and a coupling component interconnecting the femoral component and the tibial component. The tibial component includes ball. The femoral component is configured to move relative to the tibial component. The coupling component defines an internal cavity including a first spherical end portion and a second spherical end portion. The internal cavity is dimensioned to receive the ball of the tibial component. The ball is repositioned between the first spherical end portion and the second spherical end portion of the internal cavity upon movement of the femoral component relative to the tibial component.