Abstract: A method for treating a human patient includes emitting ultrasound energy from an ultrasound transducer positioned remotely from target tissue of the patient. The ultrasound transducer is positioned at a desired location relative to the patient and target tissue using location and imaging techniques. The method further includes focusing the ultrasound energy such that one or more focal points are directed to the target tissue of the patient and ablating the target tissue at each focal point. The target tissue is ablated via the focused ultrasound energy without ablating non-target tissue through which the ultrasound energy passes between the ultrasound transducer and the one or more focal points.

Abstract: A stented valve including a generally tubular stent structure that has a longitudinal axis, first and second opposite ends, a plurality of commissure support structures spaced from the first and second ends and extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, at least one structural wire positioned between each two adjacent commissure support structures, and at least one wing portion extending from two adjacent commissure support structures and toward one of the first and second ends of the stent structure. The stewed valve further includes a valve structure attached within the generally tubular stent structure to the commissure support structures.

Abstract: A surgical sutureless valve that is attached to a stent frame for delivery to a location in a patient using percutaneous implantation devices and methods.

Abstract: A stented valve including a generally tubular stent structure that has a longitudinal axis, first and second opposite ends, a plurality of commissure support structures spaced from the first and second ends and extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, at least one structural wire positioned between each two adjacent commissure support structures, and at least one wing portion extending from two adjacent commissure support structures and toward one of the first and second ends of the stent structure. The stented valve further includes a valve structure attached within the generally tubular stent structure to the commissure support structures.

Abstract: A surgical sutureless valve that is attached to a stent frame for delivery to a location in a patient using percutaneous implantation devices and methods.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a medical device is appropriate for implanting into a cardiovascular conduit of a patient is disclosed comprising imaging a first section of the conduit of the patient into which the medical device is to be implanted during a first expanded state occurring at a first portion of a heart rhythm; reimaging the first section of the conduit of the patient during a first contracted state occurring at a second portion of the heart rhythm; deriving, from the imaging and the reimaging, dimensional characteristics of the first section of the conduit; and determining whether the medical device is appropriate for implantation in the first section of conduit based on the derived dimensional characteristics. The first section of the conduit includes a sizing device providing a selected radial force on the patient.

Abstract: A stented valve having at least one leaflet made of pericardium or other material having a relatively thin profile at the annulus. The leaflets are attached via chords to a stent frame, where the chords are positioned to mimic the native valve anatomy and functionality. In particular, the valves of one exemplary embodiment of the invention are sized to replace a mitral valve and therefore the chords are arranged to prevent prolapse of the leaflets into the atrium. The stented valve has a relatively short height at its annulus due to the positioning of the chords. In addition, the stented valve is capable of being crimped to a small enough size that it can be delivered to the implantation site via transcatheter delivery systems and methods.

Abstract: A stented valve having at least one leaflet made of pericardium or other material having a relatively thin profile at the annulus. The leaflets are attached via chords to a stent frame, where the chords are positioned to mimic the native valve anatomy and functionality. In particular, the valves of one exemplary embodiment of the invention are sized to replace a mitral valve and therefore the chords are arranged to prevent prolapse of the leaflets into the atrium. The stented valve has a relatively short height at its annulus due to the positioning of the chords. In addition, the stented valve is capable of being crimped to a small enough size that it can be delivered to the implantation site via transcatheter delivery systems and methods.

Abstract: A single piece stent construction having a plurality of commissure posts, each of which extends upwardly from a solid ring along a bend line and generally along a central longitudinal axis of the stent.

Abstract: A single piece stent construction having a plurality of commissure posts, each of which extends upwardly from a solid ring along a bend line and generally along a central longitudinal axis of the stent.

Abstract: A method for valve replacement or valve repair is disclosed comprising the steps of acquiring an anatomical image of a patient, correlating the image to the patient, guiding a valve replacement delivery member or a valve repair delivery member within the patient while tracking the position of the delivery member in the patient, positioning the valve replacement member or valve repair member in a desired position to place a valve or repair valve and removing the delivery member from the patient. In one aspect, a method and device are provided that involve imaging a native root using an interoperative technique, then introducing a device that is easily visualized in a chosen imaging modality.

Abstract: A stented valve including a stent structure including a generally tubular body portion having a first end, a second end, an interior area, a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of vertical wires extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis around a periphery of the body portion, wherein the plurality of vertical wires includes multiple commissure wires and at least one structural wire positioned between adjacent commissure wires, and a plurality of V-shaped wire structures having a first end, a second end, and a peak between the first and second ends, wherein a first end of each V-shaped structure extends from a first vertical wire and a second end of each V-shaped structure extends from a second vertical wire that is adjacent to the first vertical wire, wherein each V-shaped structure is oriented so that its peak is facing in the same direction relative to the first and second ends of the body portion, and a valve structure including a plurality of leaflets attached to the stent structure within the

Abstract: A stented valve including a generally tubular stent structure that has a longitudinal axis, first and second opposite ends, a plurality of commissure support structures spaced from the first and second ends and extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, at least one structural wire positioned between each two adjacent commissure support structures, and at least one wing portion extending from two adjacent commissure support structures and toward one of the first and second ends of the stent structure. The stented valve further includes a valve structure attached within the generally tubular stent structure to the commissure support structures.

Abstract: A stented valve prosthesis for implantation within a native mitral valve having a generally tubular expandable stent structure having a first end, a second end, a central body portion having one or more openings, and a longitudinal axis. A wing portion extends outwardly from the stent structure and away from the longitudinal axis of the stent structure in an expanded deployed configuration. A radius of the wing portion is greater than a radius of the central body portion in the expanded deployed configuration, and the wing portion fits within one of the openings in the central body portion of the stent structure in a crimped delivery configuration. A valve structure having a plurality of leaflets is attached to an interior of the stent structure.

Abstract: A stented valve including a stent structure including a generally tubular body portion having a first end, a second end, an interior area, a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of vertical wires extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis around a periphery of the body portion, wherein the plurality of vertical wires includes multiple commissure wires and at least one structural wire positioned between adjacent commissure wires, and a plurality of V-shaped wire structures having a first end, a second end, and a peak between the first and second ends, wherein a first end of each V-shaped structure extends from a first vertical wire and a second end of each V-shaped structure extends from a second vertical wire that is adjacent to the first vertical wire, wherein each V-shaped structure is oriented so that its peak is facing in the same direction relative to the first and second ends of the body portion, and a valve structure including a plurality of leaflets attached to the stent structure within the

Abstract: A stent frame including an annular portion having first and second ends, a central longitudinal axis, and a wire portion with at least two extending posts and a generally sinusoidal series of peaks and valleys between each of the at least two extending posts; an atrial portion extending from the first end of the annular portion, wherein the atrial portion includes a plurality of flares that extend radially outward relative to the longitudinal axis of the annular portion; and a ventricular portion extending from the second end of the annular portion, wherein the ventricular portion includes at least one flare that extends radially outward relative to the longitudinal axis of the annular portion.

Abstract: A stented valve including a compressible and expandable stent frame having a generally tubular body portion having an interior area and a longitudinal axis, a bioprosthetic valve positioned at least partially within the interior area of the tubular body portion of the stent frame and having an inner wall from which a plurality of leaflets extend; and a tubular covering material including a first portion extending from a first end of the stent frame to a second end of the stent frame, and a second portion extending beyond the second end of the stent frame.

Abstract: A method for valve replacement or valve repair is disclosed comprising the steps of acquiring an anatomical image of a patient, correlating the image to the patient, guiding a valve replacement delivery member or a valve repair delivery member within the patient while tracking the position of the delivery member in the patient, positioning the valve replacement member or valve repair member in a desired position to place a valve or repair valve and removing the delivery member from the patient. In one aspect, a method and device are provided that involve imaging a native root using an interoperative technique, then introducing a device that is easily visualized in a chosen imaging modality.

Abstract: A stented valve prosthesis for implantation within a native mitral valve having a generally tubular expandable stent structure having a first end, a second end, a central body portion having one or more openings, and a longitudinal axis. A wing portion extends outwardly from the stent structure and away from the longitudinal axis of the stent structure in an expanded deployed configuration. A radius of the wing portion is greater than a radius of the central body portion in the expanded deployed configuration, and the wing portion fits within one of the openings in the central body portion of the stent structure in a crimped delivery configuration. A valve structure having a plurality of leaflets is attached to an interior of the stent structure.

Abstract: A multi-leaflet valve, which includes at least two leaflets, an outer tube, and a seam protector for each seam. Each seam protector is positioned to be in contact with a portion of the outer tube, with tube portions and leaflet ends being positioned between adjacent seam protection pieces. The seam protectors provide a lower stress surface about which the leaflets can bend or flex during their opening and closing. The seam protectors may include an enlarged end portion with an extending straight surface, an inverted U-shaped structure, or a sinusoidal-shaped structure, for example. The valve can further be provided with a seam cover or protector that is stitched onto the seam allowance of the layers of one or more of the seams. The seams can be provided with one or more inserts to fill spaces between adjacent tissue layers and create tension in certain material sheets.