Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve, according to one embodiment, comprises a frame, a leaflet structure, and a skirt member. The frame can have a plurality of axial struts interconnected by a plurality of circumferential struts. The leaflet structure comprises a plurality of leaflets (e.g., three leaflets arrange to form a tricuspid valve). The leaflet structure has a scalloped lower edge portion secured to the frame. The skirt member can be disposed between the leaflet structure and the frame.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve, according to one embodiment, comprises a frame, a leaflet structure, and a skirt member. The frame can have a plurality of axial struts interconnected by a plurality of circumferential struts. The leaflet structure comprises a plurality of leaflets (e.g., three leaflets arrange to form a tricuspid valve). The leaflet structure has a scalloped lower edge portion secured to the frame. The skirt member can be disposed between the leaflet structure and the frame.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve, according to one embodiment, comprises a frame, a leaflet structure, and a skirt member. The frame can have a plurality of axial struts interconnected by a plurality of circumferential struts. The leaflet structure comprises a plurality of leaflets (e.g., three leaflets arrange to form a tricuspid valve). The leaflet structure has a scalloped lower edge portion secured to the frame. The skirt member can be disposed between the leaflet structure and the frame.

Abstract: A connecting band for a highly flexible tissue-type heart valve having a stent with cusps and commissures that are permitted to move radially. The connecting band follows the cusps and commissures and extends outwardly. The valve is connected to the natural tissue along the undulating connecting band using conventional techniques, such as sutures. The connecting band may be a cloth-covered inner suture-permeable member and attaches to the underside of the valve at the cusps to provide support to the stent and to the outer side of the valve at the commissures. The connecting band includes commissure portions defining generally axial gaps that help permit flexing of the valve. The inner member may include one or more slits along the cusps to enhance flexibility. The inner member may further include a continuous outwardly projecting sewing ridge around its periphery which includes a series of ribs separated by grooves around the inflow edge of the cusps.

Abstract: A highly flexible tissue-type heart valve is disclosed having a structural stent in a generally cylindrical configuration with cusps and commissures that are permitted to move radially. The stent commissures are constructed so that the cusps are pivotably or flexibly coupled together at the commissures to permit relative movement therebetween. The stent may be cloth-covered and may be a single element or may be made in three separate elements for a three cusp valve, each element having a cusp portion and two commissure portions; adjacent commissure portions for each pair of adjacent stent element combining to form the stent commissures. If the stent has separate elements their commissure portions may be pivotably or flexible coupled, or may be designed to completely separate into independent leaflets at bioresorbable couples. The cloth covering may have an outwardly projecting flap that mates with valve leaflets (e.g., pericardial leaflets) along the cusps and commissures.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve, according to one embodiment, comprises a frame, a leaflet structure, and a skirt member. The frame can have a plurality of axial struts interconnected by a plurality of circumferential struts. The leaflet structure comprises a plurality of leaflets (e.g., three leaflets arrange to form a tricuspid valve). The leaflet structure has a scalloped lower edge portion secured to the frame. The skirt member can be disposed between the leaflet structure and the frame.

Abstract: A highly flexible tissue-type heart valve is disclosed having a structural stent in a generally cylindrical configuration with cusps and commissures that are permitted to move radially. The stent commissures are constructed so that the cusps are pivotably or flexibly coupled together at the commissures to permit relative movement therebetween. The stent may be cloth-covered and may be a single element or may be made in three separate elements for a three cusp valve, each element having a cusp portion and two commissure portions; adjacent commissure portions for each pair of adjacent stent element combining to form the stent commissures. If the stent has separate elements their commissure portions may be pivotably or flexible coupled, or may be designed to completely separate into independent leaflets at bioresorbable couples. The cloth covering may have an outwardly projecting flap that mates with valve leaflets (e.g., pericardial leaflets) along the cusps and commissures.

Abstract: A highly flexible tissue-type heart valve is disclosed having a structural stent in a generally cylindrical configuration with cusps and commissures that are permitted to move radially. The stent commissures are constructed so that the cusps are pivotably or flexibly coupled together at the commissures to permit relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: A connecting band for a highly flexible tissue-type heart valve having a stent with cusps and commissures that are permitted to move radially. The connecting band follows the cusps and commissures and extends outwardly. The valve is connected to the natural tissue along the undulating connecting band using conventional techniques, such as sutures. The connecting band may be a cloth-covered inner suture-permeable member and attaches to the underside of the valve at the cusps to provide support to the stent and to the outer side of the valve at the commissures. The connecting band includes commissure portions defining generally axial gaps that help permit flexing of the valve. The inner member may include one or more slits along the cusps to enhance flexibility. The inner member may further include a continuous outwardly projecting sewing ridge around its periphery which includes a series of ribs separated by grooves around the inflow edge of the cusps.

Abstract: An improved holder, system and method for implanting a tissue-type prosthetic mitral heart valve that prevents suture looping and may also constrict the commissure posts of the valve. The holder may include two relatively movable plates, one of which attaches to the valve sewing on the inflow end of the valve ring and the other which attaches via sutures or similar expedient to the valve commissures on the outflow end. Separation of the plates places the sutures in tension and constricts the commissures. The sutures may be strands or filaments, or may be wider bands of flexible biocompatible material. If bands are used, they desirably cover the commissure post tips to further help prevent suture looping thereover. The flexible lengths of material extend directly between commissures of the valve, or may extending radially inward from each commissure to a central upstanding member.

Abstract: A highly flexible tissue-type heart valve is disclosed having a structural stent in a generally cylindrical configuration with cusps and commissures that are permitted to move radially. The stent commissures are constructed so that the cusps are pivotably or flexibly coupled together at the commissures to permit relative movement therebetween. The stent may be cloth-covered and may be a single element or may be made in three separate elements for a three cusp valve, each element having a cusp portion and two commissure portions; adjacent commissure portions for each pair of adjacent stent element combining to form the stent commissures. If the stent has separate elements their commissure portions may be pivotably or flexible coupled, or may be designed to completely separate into independent leaflets at bioresorbable couples. The cloth covering may have an outwardly projecting flap that mates with valve leaflets (e.g., pericardial leaflets) along the cusps and commissures.

Abstract: A highly flexible tissue-type heart valve is disclosed having a structural stent in a generally cylindrical configuration with cusps and commissures that are permitted to move radially. The stent commissures are constructed so that the cusps are pivotably or flexibly coupled together at the commissures to permit relative movement therebetween. The stent may be cloth-covered and may be a single element or may be made in three separate elements for a three cusp valve, each element having a cusp portion and two commissure portions; adjacent commissure portions for each pair of adjacent stent element combining to form the stent commissures. If the stent has separate elements their commissure portions may be pivotably or flexible coupled, or may be designed to completely separate into independent leaflets at bioresorbable couples. The cloth covering may have an outwardly projecting flap that mates with valve leaflets (e.g., pericardial leaflets) along the cusps and commissures.

Abstract: An improved holder, system and method for implanting a tissue-type prosthetic mitral heart valve that prevents suture looping and may also constrict the commissure posts of the valve. The holder may include two relatively movable plates, one of which attaches to the valve sewing on the inflow end of the valve ring and the other which attaches via sutures or similar expedient to the valve commissures on the outflow end. Separation of the plates places the sutures in tension and constricts the commissures. The sutures may be strands or filaments, or may be wider bands of flexible biocompatible material. If bands are used, they desirably cover the commissure post tips to further help prevent suture looping thereover. The flexible lengths of material extend directly between commissures of the valve, or may extending radially inward from each commissure to a central upstanding member.

Abstract: A highly flexible tissue-type heart valve is disclosed having a structural stent in a generally cylindrical configuration with cusps and commissures that are permitted to move radially. The stent commissures are constructed so that the cusps are pivotably or flexibly coupled together at the commissures to permit relative movement therebetween. The stent may be cloth-covered and may be a single element or may be made in three separate elements for a three cusp valve, each element having a cusp portion and two commissure portions; adjacent commissure portions for each pair of adjacent stent element combining to form the stent commissures. If the stent has separate elements their commissure portions may be pivotably or flexible coupled, or may be designed to completely separate into independent leaflets at bioresorbable couples. The cloth covering may have an outwardly projecting flap that mates with valve leaflets (e.g., pericardial leaflets) along the cusps and commissures.

Abstract: A stentless aortic bioprosthesis having patent, non-ligated coronary artery segments extending therefrom, and methods for surgical replacement of aortic and/or non-aortic (e.g., pulmonary) heart valves with such stentless aortic bioprosthesis. The presence of the patent, non-ligated coronary segments facilitates end to end anastomosis of the patient's native coronary arteries and/or existing coronary artery bypass grafts to the coronary segments of the bioprosthesis even when such native coronary arteries (or coronary grafts) are too short to reach the wall of the aortic segment of the bioprosthesis. The presence of such patent, non-ligated coronary segments also eliminates the need for removal of a “button” or segment of the native aorta in connection with the native coronary artery segments prior to implantation of the bioprosthesis, and is thus advantageous for patients whose ascending aorta is diseased or otherwise compromised.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for tanning of a stentless aortic bioprosthesis, and articles manufactured by such method. The system includes a circulating bath which contains a tanning solution, and a support insert apparatus upon which the bioprosthesis is mounted during the tanning prosthesis. The support insert has i) two (2) coronary Sinus of Valsalva support projections for maintaining the coronary Sinuses of Valsalva in their substantially open, non-collapsed configurations, and ii) one (1) non-coronary Sinus of Valsalva support projection for maintaining the non-coronary Sinus of Valsalva in its substantially open, non-collapsed configuration, during tanning. Additionally, the system may include internal or external support members for maintaining the patency of right and left coronary artery segments, such coronary artery segments being permitted to remain attached to the Aortic bioprosthesis during tanning.

Abstract: A stentless aortic bioprosthesis having patent, non-ligated coronary artery segments extending therefrom, and methods for surgical replacement of aortic and/or non-aortic (e.g., pulmonary) heart valves with such stentless aortic bioprosthesis. The presence of the patent, non-ligated coronary segments facilitates end to end anastomosis of the patient's native coronary arteries and/or existing coronary artery bypass grafts to the coronary segments of the bioprosthesis even when such native coronary arteries (or coronary grafts) are too short to reach the wall of the aortic segment of the bioprosthesis. The presence of such patent, non-ligated coronary segments also eliminates the need for removal of a "button" or segment of the native aorta in connection with the native coronary artery segments prior to implantation of the bioprosthesis, and is thus advantageous for patients whose ascending aorta is diseased or otherwise compromised.

Abstract: A solution containing a nonpolymeric epoxy compound for cross linking biological tissues and bioprosthetic materials prepared thereby. The nonpolymeric epoxy compound has the general structural formula:R.sub.1 --CH.sub.2 --O--X--O--CH.sub.2 --R.sub.2wherein, X is a straight chain aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least four (4) and no more than five (5) carbon atoms bonded directly to one another, said straight chain aliphatic hydrocarbon being devoid of side branches and having terminal carbon atoms at either end thereof, the terminal carbon atoms at the ends of said straight chain aliphatic hydrocarbon being bonded to the oxygen atoms shown in the foregoing general formula, wherein at least one of the terminal groups R.sub.1, or R.sub.2 is an epoxy group and the other of said terminal groups R.sub.1 or R.sub.2 is either a) an epoxy group, or b) an aldehyde group. One preferred crosslinking agent of the above general formula is 1,4, butanediol diglycidyl ether.

Abstract: A stentless aortic heart valve having a disposable holder with a removable handle can be manually reversed by the physician during suturing to provide a relatively unobstructed view into the patient's aorta. A covering applied to strategic regions on the exterior and interior of the device provides a firm ground for suturing the prosthetic heart valve into position, and for attaching the detachable holder.

Abstract: A stentless aortic heart valve having a disposable holder with a removable handle can be manually reversed by the physician during suturing to provide a relatively unobstructed view into the patient's aorta. A covering applied to strategic regions on the exterior and interior of the device provides a firm ground for suturing the prosthetic heart valve into position, and for attaching the detachable holder.