Abstract: A transcatheter valve delivery system includes a longitudinal member extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and having a compartment adjacent the distal end for holding a medical device in a collapsed condition. An alignment element is connected to the longitudinal member and is movable relative to the longitudinal member between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the deployed position, the alignment element is configured to urge against an anatomical surface to position the longitudinal member at a desired location relative to the anatomical surface.

Abstract: A method of testing the performance of a collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes wrapping an aortic band around an outer surface of a portion of an aorta, fastening a first end portion of the aortic band to a second end portion of the aortic band, implanting a collapsible prosthetic heart valve in the aorta at an implantation site, and flowing a pressurized fluid through the aorta. The aortic band may be positioned near the sinotubular junction of the aorta. When installed around the aorta, the aortic band reinforces the portion of the aorta so as to be more resistant to radial expansion.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a stent having an expanded condition and a collapsed condition. The stent includes a plurality of distal cells, a plurality of proximal cells, a plurality of support struts coupling the proximal cells to the distal cells, and at least one support post connected to a plurality of proximal cells. The proximal cells are longitudinally spaced apart from the distal cells. Various strut configurations and connections of the struts to the proximal cells and of the proximal cells to the support post improve stent flexibility and reduce stress in the valve leaflets.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying liquid pressure to resected tissue may include a fixture, a papillary assembly coupled to the fixture and having first and second spaced apart papillary attachment elements, and a resected mitral valve attached to the fixture. The fixture may have a first chamber, a second chamber, and an internal panel extending between the first and second chambers. The resected mitral valve may be attached to the internal panel and may have a posterior leaflet, an anterior leaflet, and tendinae chordae. The tendinae chordae may each be attached at a first end to the posterior leaflet or the anterior leaflet and at a second end to one of the papillary attachment elements. A first group of the tendinae chordae may be attached to the first papillary attachment element, and a second group of the tendinae chordae may be attached to the second papillary attachment element.

Abstract: A method of preparing a tissue swatch comprising one or more desired thicknesses for use in the manufacture of a bioprosthetic device, said method comprising sectioning a sheet of frozen tissue to produce a tissue swatch of said one or more desired thicknesses.

Abstract: A device for repositioning an implant within a lumen of a subject including (a) a catheter having forward and rearward ends and a collapsible and expansible stop element mounted adjacent the forward end of the catheter, the stop element being adapted to engage a wall of the lumen when expanded and to provide one or more passages extending from a rear side of the stop element to a forward side of the stop element when the stop element is expanded and engaged with the wall of the lumen and (b) one or more snares, each snare having engagement features, the stop element and the snares being constructed and arranged so that the snares can be positioned extending through the one or more passages with their engagement features forward of the stop element.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a stent having an expanded condition and a collapsed condition. The stent includes a plurality of distal cells, a plurality of proximal cells, a plurality of support struts coupling the proximal cells to the distal cells, and at least one support post connected to a plurality of proximal cells. The proximal cells are longitudinally spaced apart from the distal cells. Various strut configurations and connections of the struts to the proximal cells and of the proximal cells to the support post improve stent flexibility and reduce stress in the valve leaflets.

Abstract: A method of testing the performance of a collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes wrapping an aortic band around an outer surface of a portion of an aorta, fastening a first end portion of the aortic band to a second end portion of the aortic band, implanting a collapsible prosthetic heart valve in the aorta at an implantation site, and flowing a pressurized fluid through the aorta. The aortic band may be positioned near the sinotubular junction of the aorta. When installed around the aorta, the aortic band reinforces the portion of the aorta so as to be more resistant to radial expansion.

Abstract: An apparatus for simulation of an anatomical structure may include a left ventricle component having an inlet port configured to receive fluid flow therethrough, an aortic arch component having an outlet port configured to receive fluid flow therethrough, an aortic annulus component attached to and disposed between the left ventricle component and the aortic arch component, and an introducer configured to receive an elongated catheter assembly therethrough. The aortic annulus component may have an inner surface including simulated stenotic nodules. The introducer may be in fluid communication with at least one of the left ventricle component and the aortic arch component.

Abstract: Retainer structures (150) maintain stented valves (800) on the balloon (130) of a balloon catheter during delivery of the valve to an implantation node and subsequent expansion of the valve. The retainer structures define a raised edge relative to the outer surface of the balloon and limit movement of the valve longitudinally relative to the balloon. Deflation of the balloon following expansion of the valve stent releases the valve.

Abstract: A device is provided for collapsing a stented bioprosthetic valve, including first section and second sections, each spanning between first and second ends of the device. The second section of the device is associated with the first section to at least partially enclose an internal cavity formed by the first and second sections, the internal cavity tapering from an open insertion portion at a first end of the device to an open exit portion at a second end of the device. The insertion portion has a larger dimension than the exit portion. When the first section and second section are substantially enclosing the internal cavity, a stented bioprosthetic valve may be inserted into the insertion portion and collapsed as it is moved toward and through the exit portion. The valve may then be loaded on an apparatus for insertion into the body.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a stent having an expanded condition and a collapsed condition. The stent includes a plurality of distal cells, a plurality of proximal cells, a plurality of support struts coupling the proximal cells to the distal cells, and at least one support post connected to a plurality of proximal cells. The proximal cells are longitudinally spaced apart from the distal cells. Various strut configurations and connections of the struts to the proximal cells and of the proximal cells to the support post improve stent flexibility and reduce stress in the valve leaflets.

Abstract: An introducer for providing access to the interior of the heart generally includes a valve, a shaft, and a piercing element. The valve has a substantially closed state in the absence of an instrument inside the valve and an open state in the presence of the instrument inside the valve. The shaft has first and second ends. The piercing element is located at the first end of the shaft. The shaft is removably positioned inside the valve in an assembled condition. The valve is dimensioned to receive the instrument therein upon removal of the shaft from the valve.

Abstract: A system for delivering a medical implant includes an expandable member at least partially positioned inside the medical implant and operable to radially expand at least a portion of the medical implant to an expanded condition, first and second grasping mechanisms each adapted to grasp a portion of the medical implant, and a displacement mechanism operatively coupled to the first and second grasping mechanisms and configured to move the first and second grasping mechanisms between an inner position in which the first and second grasping mechanisms are relatively close to one another, and an outer position in which the first and second grasping mechanisms are relatively distant to one another. The movement of the first and second grasping mechanisms from the outer position to the inner position at least partially collapses the medical implant from the expanded condition to enable the medical implant to be repositioned if necessary.