Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve including a frame having a plurality of commissure supports, a plurality of resilient supports, and a plurality of valve leaflets. The valve leaflets are attached to the resilient supports, and the resilient supports lie radially outwardly of the commissure supports, respectively. When in use, the valve is subjected to forces which are used to clamp the valve leaflets between the resilient supports and the commissure supports to augment whatever other leaflet attachment techniques may be used.

Abstract: An aortic prosthetic valve for supra-annular implantation comprising a valve body of generally annular configuration and a valve element movably mounted on the valve body for opening and closing the valve. The valve body terminates in a generally annular base surface, and a scalloped suture ring circumscribes the valve body adjacent the base surface. The suture ring is configured to approximately fit the contour of the Sinuses of Valsalva at the base of the aorta. The base surface of the valve body is of a wavy configuration and is configured such that it does not project into the annulus at the base of the aorta, and accordingly, the valve body does not interfere with flow through the annulus. The suture ring has three lobes which fit the Sinuses of Valsalva at the base of the aorta. The valve is configured to minimize disruption of the vortices which develop in the Sinuses of Valsalva to assist in closing the valve.

Abstract: A method of obtaining fixation of an animal aortic valve intended for implantation, including subjecting the aortic valve to a tanning fluid at a differential pressure across the valve leaflets in a direction to urge the valve leaflets closed and with the tanning fluid tending to distort the aortic valve. The differential pressure across the valve leaflets is greater than zero and less than about four mm Hg. An insert restrains the valve against substantial distortion during the time the valve is subjected to the tanning fluid.

Abstract: A method of obtaining fixation of an animal aortic valve intended for implantation, including subjecting the aortic valve to a tanning fluid at a differential pressure across the valve leaflets in a direction to urge the valve leaflets closed and with the tanning fluid tending to distort the aortic valve. The differential pressure across the valve leaflets is greater than zero and less than about four mm Hg. An insert restrains the valve against substantial distortion during the time the valve is subjected to the tanning fluid.

Abstract: A power element assembly is disclosed for use in a liquid environment to operate devices such as valves, switches and the like wherein such assembly is provided with an elastomeric diaphragm having an integral sealing neck with internal seal beads that are sealingly retained in engagement with a piston by prescribed compression of the sealing neck at assembly.

Abstract: A supported bioprosthetic heart valve in which the supporting stent is capable of annular deformation and also of limited perimetric expansion and contraction during heart operation. The stent includes a wire frame composed of a single flexible wire preformed to define inverted U-shaped commissure supports merging smoothly with arcuate portions connecting such supports.