Abstract: Devices and methods for assessing the orientation and shape of vessel lumens and hollow portions of organs are described. The devices and methods are particularly adapted for determining the orientation and shape of a lumen to, for example, perform a valvuloplasty or facilitate the later implantation of a prosthetic heart valve. The devices are typically catheter-based having an expandable member fixed to a distal end of the catheter. Located within the expandable member are materials of different densities wherein the materials of different densities cooperate to indicate the orientation of the device within a lumen. The methods typically comprise deploying the balloon percutaneously to a target location, expanding the balloon, and determining the orientation and shape of a lumen.

Abstract: Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Abstract: Devices and methods for controlled inflation of a vessel lumen or a hollow portion of another organ located within a patient. The devices are typically catheter-based having an expandable member fixed to a distal end of the catheter. The devices and methods typically comprise deploying the expandable member percutaneously to a target location, expanding the expandable member, and performing an expansion procedure. The expandable member expands at a controlled rate of inflation during a medical procedure.

Abstract: Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures. The preferred delivery device includes a catheter having a deployment mechanism attached to its distal end, and a handle mechanism attached to its proximal end. A plurality of tethers are provided to selectively restrain the valve during deployment. A number of mechanisms for active deployment of partially expanded prosthetic valves are also described.

Abstract: Prosthetic valves implantation methods and systems, especially as related to fitting a prosthetic valve at the site of a native stenotic or incompetent valve are described. The subject devices, systems and associated dock deployment and implant docking techniques may be employed in percutaneous valve replacement procedures.

Abstract: Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Abstract: Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Abstract: Devices for assessing the size, shape, and topography of vessel lumens and hollow portions of organs are described. The devices are particularly adapted for determining the size, shape, topography, and compliance of the native heart valves to facilitate the later implantation of a prosthetic heart valve. The devices are typically catheter-based having an assessment mechanism fixed to a distal end of the catheter. The assessment mechanism generally includes an expandable member, such as a balloon. The assessment mechanism may also include an imaging member, a physical assessment member, an electronic mapping construction, an alignment mechanism, a valvuloplasty balloon, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Devices and methods for assessing the orientation and shape of vessel lumens and hollow portions of organs are described. The devices and methods are particularly adapted for determining the orientation and shape of the native heart valves to facilitate the later implantation of a prosthetic heart valve. The devices are typically catheter-based having an expandable member fixed to a distal end of the catheter. The devices and methods typically comprise deploying the expandable member percutaneously to a target location, expanding the expandable member, performing a valvuloplasty procedure to enlarge the diseased lumen and then performing an assessment of the diseased lumen with the expandable member to determine at least one property of the lumen. An implant device is inserted after assessment of the diseased lumen.

Abstract: Devices and methods for assessing the orientation and shape of vessel lumens and hollow portions of organs are described. The devices and methods are particularly adapted for determining the orientation and shape of the native heart valves to facilitate the later implantation of a prosthetic heart valve. The devices are typically catheter-based having an expandable member fixed to a distal end of the catheter. Located within the expandable member is an ultrasonic imaging probe and an acoustic reflective material. The methods typically comprise deploying the balloon percutaneously to a target location, expanding the balloon, and determining the orientation and shape of a lumen, particularly a cardiac valve.

Abstract: Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Abstract: Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures. The preferred delivery device includes a catheter having a deployment mechanism attached to its distal end, and a handle mechanism attached to its proximal end. A plurality of tethers are provided to selectively restrain the valve during deployment. A number of mechanisms for active deployment of partially expanded prosthetic valves are also described.

Abstract: Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Abstract: Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Abstract: Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Abstract: The implantable heart valve can have an inverted configuration and can include a support structure and at least two valve leaflets. Preferably, when the valve is placed in proximity with an aortic valve implantation site of a subject and engaged with the implantation site, the valve leaflets are configured to deflect towards the aortic wall into a first position for resisting the flow of blood towards the left ventricle and configured to deflect away from a aortic wall into a second position for allowing the flow of blood from a left ventricle, with the support structure configured to remain static during leaflet deflection.

Abstract: Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Abstract: Devices and methods for assessing the size, shape, and topography of vessel lumens and hollow portions of organs are described. The devices and methods are particularly adapted for determining the size, shape, topography, and compliance of the native heart valves to facilitate the later implantation of a prosthetic heart valve. The devices are typically catheter-based having an assessment mechanism fixed to a distal end of the catheter. The assessment mechanism generally includes an expandable member, such as a balloon. The assessment mechanism may also include an imaging member, a physical assessment member, an electronic mapping construction, an alignment mechanism, a valvuloplasty balloon, or any combinations thereof. The methods typically comprise deploying the balloon percutaneously to a target location, expanding the balloon, and determining one or more physical parameters associated with the target location.

Abstract: Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures. The preferred delivery device includes a catheter having a deployment mechanism attached to its distal end, and a handle mechanism attached to its proximal end. A plurality of tethers are provided to selectively restrain the valve during deployment. A number of mechanisms for active deployment of partially expanded prosthetic valves are also described.

Abstract: Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures. The preferred delivery device includes a catheter having a deployment mechanism attached to its distal end, and a handle mechanism attached to its proximal end. A plurality of tethers are provided to selectively restrain the valve during deployment. A number of mechanisms for active deployment of partially expanded prosthetic valves are also described.