Abstract: An anchoring element for a heart valve prosthesis can include an upper support, a lower support, and a flexible connector. The upper support is configured to be positioned adjacent to a native valve structure of a patient. The upper support can include an anterior portion and a posterior portion. The lower support is separate from the upper support and can be configured to engage the native valve structure from a ventricular side. The lower support can include at least two engagement members. The flexible connector includes an upper end portion coupled to the upper support and a lower end portion coupled to the lower support. The lower support and the upper support are radially expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration for delivery within the patient to treat a valve disorder.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis and methods of its implantation are described herein. The prosthesis can be implanted in a heart of a patient by positioning an upper support of an anchoring element into a left atrium of the patient. The upper support can expand adjacent to a native valve structure of the patient. Further, the upper support can be moved against the native valve structure in a direction toward a left ventricle of the patient. A lower support of the anchoring element can be positioned into the left ventricle, spaced apart from the upper support, the lower support being separate from the upper support and coupled to the upper support by a flexible connector. Finally, the lower support can expand within the left ventricle, and engagement members of the lower support can engage with tissue of the native valve structure.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis and methods of its implantation are described herein. The prosthesis can be implanted in a heart of a patient by positioning an upper support of an anchoring element into a left atrium of the patient. The upper support can expand adjacent to a native valve structure of the patient. Further, the upper support can be moved against the native valve structure in a direction toward a left ventricle of the patient. A lower support of the anchoring element can be positioned into the left ventricle, spaced apart from the upper support, the lower support being separate from the upper support and coupled to the upper support by a flexible connector. Finally, the lower support can expand within the left ventricle, and engagement members of the lower support can engage with tissue of the native valve structure.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis delivery system can include a first sheath, a second sheath, a check valve, a check valve control lines, and a heart valve prosthesis carried within the first sheath or the second sheath. The check valve can be carried within the first sheath or the second sheath. The check valve has a check valve frame and a cover component, and the check valve control lines can be coupled to the check valve frame and configured to be manipulated by a physician to control release of the check valve. In use, the check valve can be configured to be deployed within the native valve structure for minimizing back flow of blood during placement of the valve prosthesis when the native valve leaflets are rendered non-functional by the presence of the delivery system.

Abstract: A mitral valve prosthesis can be delivered within the native mitral annulus. The valve prosthesis has a valve component on which prosthetic valve leaflets are attached, and a lower support which anatomically and dynamically conforms to a native mitral valve annulus and which is flexibly attached to the valve component. The valve prosthesis can be delivered to the native mitral valve annulus in a collapsed configuration in which the valve component and anchoring element are serially rather than concentrically positioned to one another, thereby minimizing the diameter of the valve prosthesis during delivery. The devices and methods described are useful for treatment of various mitral valve disorders which result in, for example, mitral regurgitation.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis and methods of its implantation are described herein. The prosthesis can be implanted in a heart of a patient by positioning an upper support of an anchoring element into a left atrium of the patient. The upper support can expand adjacent to a native valve structure of the patient. Further, the upper support can be moved against the native valve structure in a direction toward a left ventricle of the patient. A lower support of the anchoring element can be positioned into the left ventricle, spaced apart from the upper support, the lower support being separate from the upper support and coupled to the upper support by a flexible connector. Finally, the lower support can expand within the left ventricle, and engagement members of the lower support can engage with tissue of the native valve structure.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis delivery system can include a first sheath, a second sheath, a check valve, a check valve control lines, and a heart valve prosthesis carried within the first sheath or the second sheath. The check valve can be carried within the first sheath or the second sheath. The check valve has a check valve frame and a cover component, and the check valve control lines can be coupled to the check valve frame and configured to be manipulated by a physician to control release of the check valve. In use, the check valve can be configured to be deployed within the native valve structure for minimizing back flow of blood during placement of the valve prosthesis when the native valve leaflets are rendered non-functional by the presence of the delivery system.

Abstract: An anchoring element for a heart valve prosthesis can include an upper support, a lower support, and a flexible connector. The upper support is configured to be positioned adjacent to a native valve structure of a patient. The upper support can include an anterior portion and a posterior portion. The lower support is separate from the upper support and can be configured to engage the native valve structure from a ventricular side. The lower support can include at least two engagement members. The flexible connector includes an upper end portion coupled to the upper support and a lower end portion coupled to the lower support. The lower support and the upper support are radially expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration for delivery within the patient to treat a valve disorder.

Abstract: A mitral valve prosthesis can be delivered within the native mitral annulus. The valve prosthesis has a valve component on which prosthetic valve leaflets are attached, and a lower support which anatomically and dynamically conforms to a native mitral valve annulus and which is flexibly attached to the valve component. The valve prosthesis can be delivered to the native mitral valve annulus in a collapsed configuration in which the valve component and anchoring element are serially rather than concentrically positioned to one another, thereby minimizing the diameter of the valve prosthesis during delivery. The devices and methods described are useful for treatment of various mitral valve disorders which result in, for example, mitral regurgitation.