Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method to perform a surgical procedure within the beating heart. The instrument provides a seal to surround cardiac tissue, thereby defining a segregated surgical field within the body of the instrument. A suction device is preferred to remove blood and fluids from the surgical field so that a surgical procedure can be performed while the heart continues to beat. The instrument is particularly suitable for a procedure to repair defective or diseased cardiac valves, such as the mitral valve; a procedure which previously required that the heart be stopped so that the corrective surgical procedure could be performed.

Abstract: An activating system is provided for a heart valve having a seat (1) and at least one pivoting flap (2a, 2b) mounted on the seat (1). The activating system includes at least one mobile magnetic element (4) connected with said flap (2a, 2b) and at least one fixed magnetic element (3) on the seat (1), with the magnetic elements (3, 4) producing interacting fields that create a force which is exerted on said flap (2a, 2b) during its opening and/or closing movements.

Abstract: A prosthetic mechanical valve includes a base portion defining a through blood flow pathway closed by at least a pair of valve leaflets. The valve leaflets are pivotally carried by the base portion and movable in response to dynamic blood fluid pressures between a first position at which the leaflets close blood flow through the pathway and a second open position allowing blood flow in the pathway. A pair of confronting magnets are carried one to each of the pair of valve leaflets and attract one another. The magnetic forces of attraction between the pair of magnets imparts a biasing torque to the valve leaflets which tends to synchronize pivotal movements of the leaflets, cushions their sealing contact, quiets valve operation, and biases the leaflets toward a third partially open position. As a result, under conditions of nearly balanced blood fluid pressures across the pair of valve leaflet they anticipatorily open toward their third position to improve pumping effectiveness.

Abstract: An implantable pulse generator particularly adapted for implantation in the abdomen. The pulse generator displays a generally flattened configuration having two generally opposed major surfaces and a smaller, circumferential edge surface, and includes a plurality of electrical connectors located in a connector module mounted to one of the major surfaces of the pulse generator. The housing of the pulse generator contains a hybrid circuit mounted generally parallel to the major surfaces of the pulse generator, connected to the electrical connectors by means of feedthroughs passing through one of the major surfaces of the pulse generator, located adjacent to the edges of the hybrid circuit and perpendicular thereto.

Abstract: This invention relates to an implantable cardiac prosthesis constituted by a quick-connect, one-piece module comprising two ventricular chambers, rendered biocompatible, independent and activated separately, each being provided with two orifices provided with valves, one of the orifices serving for ejection and the other for inlet of the blood, and with a separate activation and regulation device constituted by an electro-mechanical member actuating a pair of membranes, characterized in that the first membrane is a mechanical membrane actuated by a piston or a transmission fluid pressurized by means of said electro-mechanical member, and the second membrane, in contact with the blood, is a floating biocompatible membrane, moving under the action of the first membrane between the diastole and systole positions and under the pressure of the blood between the systole and diastole positions.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring prosthesis which is formed from a selectively flexible body element having at least one defined length about its circumference which is substantially rigid. The remainder of the body element gradually increases in flexibility. The body element is a substantially annular shaped body element which is designed to be sutured to the annulus of a heart valve. The body element is formed from a non-corrosive, anti-magnetic material, and is wrapped in a material through which sutures can be drawn to suture the prosthesis to the heart valve annulus.

Abstract: A support for a natural heart valve is disclosed. The support is generally ring shaped and has a size and shape to fit against the natural heart valve annulus. First length of the support is flexible, and a second length of the support is less flexible than the first length of the support. Accordingly, when the support is implanted, the support can shape the heart valve annulus and the first length of the support allows contraction of the heart valve annulus therealong.

Abstract: Calcification resistant bioprosthetic implants are made from tanned biological materials, such as porcine heart valves, bovine pericardium, human dura mater or the like, which has been impregnated with a calcification-mitigating effective amount of a ferric and/or stannic salt. The impregnated biological materials and processes are particularly advantageous for the preparation of bioprosthetic heart valves. These implants have been found to be highly resistant to calcification in vivo.

Abstract: A ring prosthesis which provides different flexibilities at various points about the circumference of an associated heart valve. Specifically, the annuloplasty ring prosthesis of the invention includes a segmented body formed by two or more segments. The individual segments form a body which is substantially circular and shaped proportional to fit about the annulus of the associated heart valve. The individual segments are held in position with respect to each by a flexible joint. This flexible joint is formed by covering the segments with a flexible material which fits snugly about the segments. The cover is tied off between the adjacent segments to further restrain movement of the segments with respect to each other.

Abstract: An assembly comprising a prosthetic heart valve having a plurality of commissure supports which are deflectable radially inwardly and a valve holder which includes inner and outer holder members mounted for movement toward and away from each other. The valve holder is attached to the heart valve by sutures which extend from the outer holder member to the commissure supports and then between the commissure supports. When a handle is attached to the other holder member, the holder members are forced apart to tension the sutures to deflect the commissure supports radially inwardly. Portions of the sutures extend between the commissure supports to form a suture loop guard.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve assembly which includes an artificial annulus, a prosthetic valve and a retaining ring for releasably retaining the prosthetic valve on the artificial annulus. By removing the retaining ring, the valve can be replaced with another valve. The artificial annulus includes a suture ring and a mounting ring mounted on the suture ring for receiving the prosthetic valve and the retaining ring.

Abstract: The separating valve is intended for discharging the liquid phase of a two-phase fluid. It comprises a seating and a valve member, the latter being actuated to open by a float at the end of a first arm of a lever, whose other arm comprises a cam which engages in a neck of the shank of the valve member. The seating comprises a port at the center of a flat face from which projects a sleeve for guiding the shank of the valve member. Directed towards the flat face, the valve member comprises a flat plate from which there projects a truncated conical valve needle. Between seating and valve member there is defined an annular space communicating by three passageways with the chamber for receiving the liquid phase: one passageway which is an extension of a slot where the lever arm fits, and two passageways along a diameter perpendicular to the slot and tangential to the flat face.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of implantable biological tissue, and in particular bioprosthetic heart valves, which are prone to calcification after implantation. The process includes treatment of tissue with solutions prior to implantation which have been found effective in reducing calcification of the implanted tissue.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of implantable biological tissue, and in particular bioprosthetic heart valves, which are prone to calcification after implantation. The process includes treatment of tissue with solutions prior to implantation which have been found effective in reducing calcification of the implanted tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cardiac valve comprising a seat and at least one mobile element ensuring opening and closure of the valve, characterized in that said seat and/or said mobile element comprises at least one device, known per se, which ensures controlled opening of said valve when the blood pressure is balanced on both sides of said mobile element.

Abstract: An aortic prosthetic valve for supra-annular implantation comprising a valve body of generally annular configuration and a valve element movably mounted on the valve body for opening and closing the valve. The valve body terminates in a generally annular base surface, and a scalloped suture ring circumscribes the valve body adjacent the base surface. The suture ring is configured to approximately fit the contour of the Sinuses of Valsalva at the base of the aorta. The base surface of the valve body is of a wavy configuration and is configured such that it does not project into the annulus at the base of the aorta, and accordingly, the valve body does not interfere with flow through the annulus. The suture ring has three lobes which fit the Sinuses of Valsalva at the base of the aorta. The valve is configured to minimize disruption of the vortices which develop in the Sinuses of Valsalva to assist in closing the valve.

Abstract: A heart valve is disclosed comprising:(a) a substantially circular ring having at least one seat and known types of suture means, and(b) two substantially semicircular movable flaps adapted to rest on the said seat,Comprising means permitting the said flaps to undergo movements of rotation through an angle less than 90.degree., as well as of translation. The flaps can swing, each through an angle of less than 90.degree., between the said seat and two substantially parallel and transverse shafts serving as stops and limiting the displacements of the said flaps in rotation and in translation. Various refinements and embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A support for a natural human heart valve is disclosed, said support consisting of an annular or part annular semi-rigid frame having the shape of at least a substantial portion of the periphery of said natural heart valve at the base of its cusps, the frame being completely or partly enclosed in a textile sheath, the frame and the sheath being formed of a bio-compatible material and being deformable after implantation. The frame and sheath may be flexurally deformable, and are extensible by 0.001 times to 0.3 times their length. Preferably, the frame has the same flexural elasticity as an annular bundle or 2 to 8 turns of a cylindrical bristle or poly(ethylene terephthalate) and having a circumference equal to 0.025 times the length of one turn. The frame may be formed of at least one strand of bristle. The frame and the sheath may be in the form of a portion of a convex curve.