Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a docking element (20) configured to be implanted within a subject's left atrium such that no portion of the docking element (20) extends through the subject's mitral valve. The docking element (20) includes a ring (40), a frame (24) extending upwardly from the ring (40), and a radial protrusion (50) configured to extend radially outwardly from the frame, to be disposed in a vicinity of the subject's native mitral annulus, and to generate tissue ingrowth to the radial protrusion from walls of the left atrium at least in the vicinity of the subject's native mitral annulus. A bridging material (56), which is disposed between radial protrusion (50) and the ring (40), forms a seal between the radial protrusion (50) and the ring (40). Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for treating a subject with a diseased mitral valve. A mitral annulus repair device is implanted within the subject's left atrium. The device includes a ring configured to be implanted within 15 mm of a native mitral annulus of the subject, and a frame extending upwardly from the ring, the frame being configured to anchor the mitral annulus repair device within the left atrium, prior to the tissue ingrowth to the mitral annulus repair device occurring, by the frame expanding against inner walls and a roof of the left atrium. The ring is adjustable in size and is configured to reduce a diameter of the subject's native mitral annulus by a diameter of the ring being reduced, subsequent to tissue ingrowth to the mitral annulus repair device having occurred. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for treating a subject with a diseased mitral valve. A docking element is implanted within the subject's left atrium such that no portion of the docking element extends through the subject's mitral valve. The docking element includes a ring having a smaller size than that of the subject's mitral annulus, and which configured to be implanted within 15 mm of the mitral annulus. A frame extends upwardly from the ring, a portion of the frame being configured to be disposed in a vicinity of the mitral annulus and to generate tissue ingrowth from the subject's atrial walls in the vicinity of the mitral annulus. A material disposed between the portion of the frame and the ring is configured to form a seal between atrial walls in the vicinity of the mitral annulus and the ring. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A two-stage or component-based valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The prosthetic valve comprises a support structure that is deployed at a treatment site. The prosthetic valve further comprises a valve member configured to be quickly connected to the support structure. The support structure may take the form of a stent that is expanded at the site of a native valve. If desired, the native leaflets may remain and the stent may be used to hold the native valve open. In this case, the stent may be balloon expandable and configured to resist the powerful recoil force of the native leaflets. The support structure is provided with a coupling means for attachment to the valve member, thereby fixing the position of the valve member in the body. The valve member may be a non-expandable type, or may be expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state.

Abstract: A two-stage or component-based valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The prosthetic valve comprises a support structure that is deployed at a treatment site. The prosthetic valve further comprises a valve member configured to be quickly connected to the support structure. The support structure may take the form of a stent that is expanded at the site of a native valve. If desired, the native leaflets may remain and the stent may be used to hold the native valve open. In this case, the stent may be balloon expandable and configured to resist the powerful recoil force of the native leaflets. The support structure is provided with a coupling means for attachment to the valve member, thereby fixing the position of the valve member in the body. The valve member may be a non-expandable type, or may be expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for treating a subject with a diseased atrioventricular valve. A docking element is implanted within the subject's atrium such that no portion of the docking element extends through the subject's atrioventricular valve. The docking becomes anchored to tissue of the atrium at least partially via ingrowth of the tissue of the atrium. The docking element includes a ring, which is implanted at the annulus of the atrioventricular valve, and a frame having a height of at least 15 mm, which extends upwardly from the ring. A prosthetic atrioventricular valve apparatus is placed at least partially inside the docking element subsequent to the ingrowth of the tissue of the atrium having occurred, and becomes anchored to the docking element, at least partially by radially expanding against the ring. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve includes an annular metallic frame and a valve assembly supported within the frame. The annular support frame is constructed with three longitudinal support beams of fixed length and web-like constructions that extend between and connect the support beams. The support beams are spaced apart in a substantially equidistant manner. The web-like constructions allow the annular support frame to be radially collapsible and expandable. Each support beam preferably has a column of pre-formed openings or bores extending along a length of the support beam. The valve assembly includes three valve leaflets, wherein each leaflet has opposing side portions and each side portion is paired with an adjacent side portion of an adjacent leaflet to form a commissure. The three commissures are secured to three respective support beams with stitching that extends through the leaflets and through the pre-formed openings or bores.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for treating a subject with a diseased mitral valve. A docking element (100) is implanted within the subject's left atrium such that no portion of the docking element extends through the subject's mitral valve. The docking becomes anchored to tissue of the left atrium at least partially via ingrowth of the tissue of the left atrium. The docking element (100) includes a ring (102), which is implanted at the subject's mitral valve annulus, and a frame (104), having a height of at least 15 mm, which extends upwardly from the ring. A prosthetic mitral valve apparatus (20) is placed at least partially inside the docking element subsequent to the ingrowth of the tissue of the left atrium having occurred, and becomes anchored to the docking element, at least partially by radially expanding against the ring. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A system for replacing a deficient native aortic valve includes an implantable prosthetic valve having a self-expandable frame and a valve assembly formed with three valve leaflets. The self-expandable frame includes three angularly spaced longitudinal bars of fixed length defining respective slots and a plurality of web-like constructions extending between and connected to the longitudinal bars. The valve assembly includes commissures extending outwardly through the slots where they are supported on the outside of the frame. Each leaflet includes an inlet end portion secured to the inside of the frame with stitching extending through the leaflet and around adjacent frame portions. The system also includes a restriction tube adapted for insertion into a patient's body. The prosthetic valve is capable of being crimped for insertion into the restriction tube and capable of self-expansion upon release from the restriction tube for deployment in the deficient native aortic valve.

Abstract: Disclosed is a guidewire stop configured to lock a medical device onto a guidewire. The guidewire stop comprises a locking element, an actuator coupled to the locking element and a locking tube, wherein at least a section of the guidewire and at least part of the locking element or actuator pass through the locking tube. Further disclosed is that the locking tube comprises an unlocking element configured to unlock the medical device from the guidewire. The disclosed guidewire stop has at least the following three configurations: —an initial unlocked configuration in which the guidewire stop and the medical device are movable relative to the guidewire; —a first locked configuration in which the guidewire stop and the medical device are not movable relative to the guidewire; and—a first unlocked configuration in which the guidewire stop and the medical device are movable relative to the guidewire.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for treating a subject with a diseased mitral valve. A docking element (100) is implanted within the subject's left atrium such that no portion of the docking element extends through the subject's mitral valve. The docking becomes anchored to tissue of the left atrium at least partially via ingrowth of the tissue of the left atrium. The docking element (100) includes a ring (102), which is implanted at the subject's mitral valve annulus, and a frame (104), having a height of at least 15 mm, which extends upwardly from the ring. A prosthetic mitral valve apparatus (20) is placed at least partially inside the docking element subsequent to the ingrowth of the tissue of the left atrium having occurred, and becomes anchored to the docking element, at least partially by radially expanding against the ring. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for treating a subject with a diseased valve (24), and for use with a delivery device (34). A prosthetic valve apparatus (20) includes a valve support frame (30) and prosthetic valve leaflets (32). Prosthetic valve apparatus (20) is delivered to an aperture (22) through a first leaflet (25) of the diseased valve, while maintained in a generally cylindrical shape inside the delivery device. Subsequent to the delivery device being retracted, the support frame of the prosthetic valve apparatus becomes anchored to the first leaflet of the valve, by end portions (36A, 36V) at each end of the valve support frame at least partially inverting to trap tissue of the first leaflet between the inverted portions, and a central portion (38) of the valve support frame radially expanding. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for treating a subject with a diseased mitral valve. A docking element is implanted within the subject's left atrium such that no portion of the docking element extends through the subject's mitral valve. The docking element includes a ring having a smaller size than that of the subject's mitral annulus, and which configured to be implanted within 15 mm of the mitral annulus. A frame extends upwardly from the ring, a portion of the frame being configured to be disposed in a vicinity of the mitral annulus and to generate tissue ingrowth from the subject's atrial walls in the vicinity of the mitral annulus. A material disposed between the portion of the frame and the ring is configured to form a seal between atrial walls in the vicinity of the mitral annulus and the ring. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A two-stage or component-based valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The prosthetic valve comprises a support structure that is deployed at a treatment site. The prosthetic valve further comprises a valve member configured to be quickly connected to the support structure. The support structure may take the form of a stent that is expanded at the site of a native valve. If desired, the native leaflets may remain and the stent may be used to hold the native valve open. In this case, the stent may be balloon expandable and configured to resist the powerful recoil force of the native leaflets. The support structure is provided with a coupling means for attachment to the valve member, thereby fixing the position of the valve member in the body. The valve member may be a non-expandable type, or may be expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state.

Abstract: A two-stage or component-based valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The prosthetic valve comprises a support structure that is deployed at a treatment site. The prosthetic valve further comprises a valve member configured to be quickly connected to the support structure. The support structure may take the form of a stent that is expanded at the site of a native valve. If desired, the native leaflets may remain and the stent may be used to hold the native valve open. In this case, the stent may be balloon expandable and configured to resist the powerful recoil force of the native leaflets. The support structure is provided with a coupling means for attachment to the valve member, thereby fixing the position of the valve member in the body. The valve member may be a non-expandable type, or may be expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state.

Abstract: A syringe cradle for holding a syringe, the syringe cradle comprising a syringe holder at a proximal end for engaging a barrel of a syringe and a rider for pressing on a plunger of the syringe, a cylindrical body for surrounding the syringe, a distal cap for closing a distal end of the cylindrical body, a stepwise advancing mechanism for advancing the rider along the cylindrical body towards the proximal end, and a stopping mechanism to prevent the rider from moving backwards towards the distal end of the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A two-stage or component-based valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The prosthetic valve comprises a support structure that is deployed at a treatment site. The prosthetic valve further comprises a valve member configured to be quickly connected to the support structure. The support structure may take the form of a stent that is expanded at the site of a native valve. If desired, the native leaflets may remain and the stent may be used to hold the native valve open. In this case, the stent may be balloon expandable and configured to resist the powerful recoil force of the native leaflets. The support structure is provided with a coupling means for attachment to the valve member, thereby fixing the position of the valve member in the body. The valve member may be a non-expandable type, or may be expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state.

Abstract: A two-stage or component-based valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The prosthetic valve comprises a support structure that is deployed at a treatment site. The prosthetic valve further comprises a valve member configured to be quickly connected to the support structure. The support structure may take the form of a stent that is expanded at the site of a native valve. If desired, the native leaflets may remain and the stent may be used to hold the native valve open. In this case, the stent may be balloon expandable and configured to resist the powerful recoil force of the native leaflets. The support structure is provided with a coupling means for attachment to the valve member, thereby fixing the position of the valve member in the body. The valve member may be a non-expandable type, or may be expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state.

Abstract: A two-stage or component-based valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The prosthetic valve comprises a support structure that is deployed at a treatment site. The prosthetic valve further comprises a valve member configured to be quickly connected to the support structure. The support structure may take the form of a stent that is expanded at the site of a native valve. If desired, the native leaflets may remain and the stent may be used to hold the native valve open. In this case, the stent may be balloon expandable and configured to resist the powerful recoil force of the native leaflets. The support structure is provided with a coupling means for attachment to the valve member, thereby fixing the position of the valve member in the body. The valve member may be a non-expandable type, or may be expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve includes an annular metallic frame and a valve assembly supported within the frame. The annular support frame is constructed with three longitudinal support beams of fixed length and web-like constructions that extend between and connect the support beams. The support beams are spaced apart in a substantially equidistant manner. The web-like constructions allow the annular support frame to be radially collapsible and expandable. Each support beam preferably has a column of pre-formed openings or bores extending along a length of the support beam. The valve assembly includes three valve leaflets, wherein each leaflet has opposing side portions and each side portion is paired with an adjacent side portion of an adjacent leaflet to form a commissure. The three commissures are secured to three respective support beams with stitching that extends through the leaflets and through the pre-formed openings or bores.