Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthetic heart valve within a patient can comprise inserting a distal end portion of a delivery apparatus and a prosthetic heart valve into the patient and advancing the prosthetic heart valve to a deployment location within the heart of the patient and inflating one or more of a plurality of differently-sized balloons in a balloon-assembly on the distal end portion of the delivery apparatus. The prosthetic heart valve can be mounted on the balloon assembly in a crimped state and the inflating of the one or more of the plurality of differently-sized balloons can expand the prosthetic heart valve from the crimped state to a radially expanded state having a non-cylindrical shape.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods of surgical tissue reconstruction, such as for joint or ligament repair, and associated surgical constructs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for predicting or diagnosing a risk of bioprosthetic valve degeneration. Further, the invention relates to a medical device, in particular a bioprosthetic valve coated with EPCR less prone to degeneration and/or calcification once implanted.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for manufacturing filamentous polymer matrices, comprising electrospinning a polymer fiber into a gap between two or more spaced-apart electrodes.

Abstract: A replacement heart valve assembly where the valve is loaded into the catheter distally, and separately from the stent. The valve has a locking member and the stent has a locking channel. Once in the expanded position, the valve is pulled towards the stent until the locking member is engaged with the locking channel.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a medical implant introducer (100) and methods of its use. The introducer (100) may include a handle (120), an implant-holding cavity disposed distally from the handle (120), a fluid supply conduit (122) fluidly coupled to an interior portion of the implant-holding cavity, and a distal nozzle (110) having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a middle portion in between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the middle portion having a tapered profile such that the proximal portion is larger than the distal portion, and a distal opening (112), wherein an implant in the implant-holding cavity may be expelled from the introducer (100) through the distal opening (112).

Abstract: Implants having symmetry are described. The implant may comprise a biocompatible material and have at least two planes of symmetry, including symmetry about an equator of the implant. The implant may be a body contouring implant, wherein a posterior side of the implant is symmetric about the equator to an anterior side of the implant.

Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthetic heart valve within a patient can comprise inserting a distal end portion of a delivery apparatus and a prosthetic heart valve into the patient and advancing the prosthetic heart valve to a deployment location within the heart of the patient and inflating one or more of a plurality of differently-sized balloons in a balloon-assembly on the distal end portion of the delivery apparatus. The prosthetic heart valve can be mounted on the balloon assembly in a crimped state and the inflating of the one or more of the plurality of differently-sized balloons can expand the prosthetic heart valve from the crimped state to a radially expanded state having a non-cylindrical shape.

Abstract: A valve for endovascular heart valve repair that provides improved sealing of the valve against the native wall. The valve assembly has a sealing region at a distal end of the valve. The sealing region having a delivery position and a sealing position, wherein in the delivery position, the sealing region has a first length, and in the sealing position, the sealing region has a second length less than the first length and a thickness in the sealing position is greater in the sealing position than in the delivery position.

Abstract: The invention includes modifications of a Z stent to allow the top struts of two Z stents deployed in the vena cava in a bilateral relationship, to interleave. One embodiment includes Z stents with angled top surfaces. A second embodiment includes Z stents having an intermediary suture but lacking the top suture in the topmost stent of a stacked stent module.

Abstract: A stent apparatus for use in surgical applications having a hollow tubular section with a proximal end and a distal end. Additionally, the stent apparatus can have at least one anchor point connected to the hollow tubular section. The hollow tubular section may also have a modifiable member, and a magnetic connection node. The stent may also be wrapped in a material that has magnetic properties. The delivery of the stent can include a stent delivery tool for inserting a stent into a vessel.

Abstract: A stent graft system includes a first layer of graft material, a second layer of graft material, one or more stent members, one or more reducing belts, and a release wire. The one or more stent members are located between the first layer of graft material and the second layer of graft material. The second layer of graft material is formed to have a corresponding channel over each of the one or more stent members. The one or more reducing belts each include a loop at both ends and each is located in a corresponding channel around a corresponding one of the stent members. The release wire passes through both loops of each of the one or more reducing belts when the one or more stent members are in a compressed state. Pulling the release wire allows for the stent graft system to radially expand.

Abstract: An implantable artificial bronchus including a body having a proximal upper opening and a distal lower opening. The distal lower opening being in fluid communication with the proximal upper opening, and the body at least partially tapering along a length toward the distal lower opening. The body having a plurality of side openings configured to allow air to enter into and exit the implantable artificial bronchus through the body. A length of the body is greater than 4 times the size of a largest diameter of the body, and the diameter of the proximal upper opening is larger than a diameter of the distal lower opening.

Abstract: A blood pump may be provided that includes an inlet, an outlet and a rotor for delivering fluid from the inlet to the outlet, wherein the rotor is suspended within the blood pump by radial passive magnetic forces and axially is preloaded in one direction at least by way of passive magnetic forces so that, during a fluid-delivering rotation of the rotor, the axial thrust of the rotor acts counter to the magnetic attraction acting axially in the direction of the outlet.

Abstract: A valve repair device, e.g., for treating mitral valve regurgitation, includes a tubular body defining a longitudinal axis, paddles supported by the tubular body and movable to change abduction of the paddles relative to the longitudinal axis, and retention members supported by the tubular body proximal the paddles and similarly movable to change abduction of the retention members relative to the longitudinal axis to facilitate capture of native valve leaflets between pairs of paddles and retention members. Movement of the paddles and/or retention members is provided by one or more control mechanisms including a collar a shaft extending within the tubular body. Each shaft is threadedly engaged to a respective collar and coupled to one or more of the movable elements such that, when the collar is rotated, the shaft translates to change abduction of the movable element relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve includes a radially collapsible and expandable annular frame having three commissure attachment posts and four rows of circumferential struts. The rows include a first row, a second row downstream of the first row, a third row downstream of the second row, and a fourth row downstream of the third row and defining an outflow end of the frame. Each row of circumferential struts includes angled struts arranged in a zig-zag pattern. A leaflet structure includes three leaflets forming three commissures, each commissure being connected to one of the commissure attachment posts only at locations along the commissure attachment posts between a first plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the frame and intersects crowns of the third row of struts and a second plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and intersects crowns of the fourth row of struts.

Abstract: A transcatheter valve prosthesis includes a balloon expandable stent and a prosthetic valve. An inflow portion of the stent includes a plurality of crowns and a plurality of struts with each crown being formed between a pair of opposing struts. Endmost inflow side openings and endmost inflow crowns are formed at the inflow end of the stent and the inflow end of the stent has a total of twelve endmost inflow crowns. An outflow portion of the stent includes a plurality of crowns and a plurality of struts with each crown being formed between a pair of opposing struts. Endmost outflow crowns are formed at the outflow end of the stent and the outflow end of the stent has a total of six endmost outflow crowns. The prosthetic valve is disposed within and secured to the stent.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for sealing a native heart valves to prevent or reduce regurgitation comprises a spacer having one or more anchors. The spacer may also have atrial support structures, ventricular support structures, or both atrial and ventricular support structures In some cases, the spacer has anchors that attach to the leaflets as well as atrial and ventricular support. In some cases, the spacer straddles the annulus and is located by anchors, and in some cases the support structures can be implanted within the native heart valve. In some cases, the prosthetic device reduces the annulus diameter when implanted within the native heart vasculature. In some cases, the prosthetic device cinches the annulus when implanted within the native heart vasculature.

Abstract: Soft tissue repair grafts are provided for supporting, covering, and/or retaining an implant positioned in the body of a subject. The grafts are particularly suitable for use for pre-pectoral breast reconstruction with a breast implant or tissue expander. The grafts include positional notches for more accurate positioning in a subject. The grafts also include at least one cuff element which is folded to form a reinforced folded edge for suturing the graft more securely to adjacent tissues than previously known grafts. The grafts also include a plurality of arcuate slots which form a plurality of circular patterns arranged concentrically about a focal point, thereby enabling the grafts to expand without tearing and to conform more closely to the implant and/or adjacent body tissues such as the breast pocket, than previously known grafts. Acellular dermal matrices are particularly suitable for making the soft tissue repair grafts.

Abstract: Prosthetic heart valves may be delivered to a targeted native heart valve site via one or more delivery catheters. In some embodiments, the prosthetic heart valve includes structural features that securely anchor the prosthetic heart valve to the anatomy at the site of the native heart valve. Such structural features can provide robust migration resistance. In addition, the prosthetic heart valves can include structural features that improve sealing between the prosthetic valve and native valve anatomy to mitigate paravalvular leakage. In particular implementations, the prosthetic heart valves occupy a small delivery profile, thereby facilitating a smaller delivery catheter system for advancement to the heart. Some delivery catheter systems can include a curved inner catheter to facilitate deployment of the prosthetic heart valve to a native tricuspid valve site via a superior vena cava or inferior vena cava.