Abstract: A cardiac valve prosthesis includes a frame and a set of prosthetic valve leaflets supported by the frame. The frame defines a principal axis of the cardiac valve prosthesis and includes first and second annular elements expandable from a radially contracted state to a radially expanded state, a plurality of valve supports supporting the leaflets, and a plurality of connecting members. The valve supports are angularly spaced from one another about the principal axis of the cardiac valve prosthesis, and the connecting members extend between and connect the first and second annular elements. When the annular elements are in the radially expanded state each of the connecting members arches radially outward with respect to the annular elements and is configured to project into one of the Valsalva sinuses when implanted. The connecting members are angularly spaced from the valve supports about the principal axis.

Abstract: A cardiac-valve prosthesis is adapted for percutaneous implantation. The prosthesis includes an armature adapted for deployment in a radially expanded implantation position, the armature including a support portion and an anchor portion, which are substantially axially coextensive with respect to one another. A set of leaflets is coupled to the support portion. The leaflets can be deployed with the armature in the implantation position. The leaflets define, in the implantation position, a flow duct that is selectably obstructable. The anchor portion can be deployed to enable anchorage of the cardiac-valve prosthesis at an implantation site.

Abstract: A cardiac valve prosthesis includes a frame and a set of prosthetic valve leaflets supported by the frame. The frame defines a principal axis of the cardiac valve prosthesis and includes first and second annular elements expandable from a radially contracted state to a radially expanded state, a plurality of valve supports supporting the leaflets, and a plurality of connecting members. The valve supports are angularly spaced from one another about the principal axis of the cardiac valve prosthesis, and the connecting members extend between and connect the first and second annular elements. When the annular elements are in the radially expanded state each of the connecting members arches radially outward with respect to the annular elements and is configured to project into one of the Valsalva sinuses when implanted. The connecting members are angularly spaced from the valve supports about the principal axis.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis comprising: a support structure comprising a framework deformable between an expanded state and a compressed state and vice versa; and a flow-control structure, supported by the support structure, for permitting blood flow in a first direction, and for restricting blood flow in a direction opposite to the first direction. At least one end of the support structure comprises a plurality of apexes of the framework. The support structure is collapsible into the compressed state by pulling on the apexes, to enable it to be drawn into a sheath having an inner radial dimension smaller than the radial dimension of the support structure in the expanded state.

Abstract: A cardiac-valve prosthesis is adapted for percutaneous implantation. The prosthesis includes an armature adapted for deployment in a radially expanded implantation position, the armature including a support portion and an anchor portion, which are substantially axially coextensive with respect to one another. A set of leaflets is coupled to the support portion. The leaflets can be deployed with the armature in the implantation position. The leaflets define, in the implantation position, a flow duct that is selectably obstructable. The anchor portion can be deployed to enable anchorage of the cardiac-valve prosthesis at an implantation site.

Abstract: A device for crimping an implantable device or a part thereof between a radially expanded condition and a radially contracted condition, includes first and second annular bodies arranged about a common axis, and a ring-like array of linear crimping elements having respective opposite ends linked to the first and second annular bodies, respectively. These annular bodies are relatively rotatable around the common axis between a first position, wherein the annular array of crimping elements define a wider orifice for receiving a device to be crimped, and a second position, wherein the annular array of crimping elements define a narrower orifice.

Abstract: An annuloplasty prosthesis including an inner tubular member having a lateral wall and exhibiting auxetic behavior when subject to a tensile stress along the longitudinal axis of at least one of its portions. The auxetic behavior may be obtained by perforating the tubular member with apertures of desired shape, thus obtaining, for instance, re-entrant honeycomb cell structures or cell structures with two-dimensional chiral symmetry.

Abstract: A device for crimping an implantable device or a part thereof between a radially expanded condition and a radially contracted condition, includes first and second annular bodies arranged about a common axis, and a ring-like array of linear crimping elements having respective opposite ends linked to the first and second annular bodies, respectively. These annular bodies are relatively rotatable around the common axis between a first position, wherein the annular array of crimping elements define a wider orifice for receiving a device to be crimped, and a second position, wherein the annular array of crimping elements define a narrower orifice.

Abstract: A cardiac-valve prosthesis which can be used, for example, as a valve for percutaneous implantation. The prosthesis includes an armature for anchorage of the valve prosthesis in the implantation site. The armature defines a lumen for passage of the blood flow and supports a set of prosthetic valve leaflets, which, under the action of the blood flow, are able to move into a radially divaricated condition to enable the flow of the blood through the lumen in a first direction and a radially contracted condition, in which the valve leaflets co-operate with one another and block the flow of the blood through the prosthesis in the opposite direction. The armature includes, in one embodiment, two annular elements connected by anchor members having the capacity of projecting radially with respect to the prosthesis, and support members for the set of leaflets, the support members being carried by at least one of the annular elements so as to leave substantially disengaged the aforesaid lumen for passage of the blood.

Abstract: A device for crimping an implantable device or a part thereof between a radially expanded condition and a radially contracted condition, includes first and second annular bodies arranged about a common axis, and a ring-like array of linear crimping elements having respective opposite ends linked to the first and second annular bodies, respectively. These annular bodies are relatively rotatable around the common axis between a first position, wherein the annular array of crimping elements define a wider orifice for receiving a device to be crimped, and a second position, wherein the annular array of crimping elements define a narrower orifice.

Abstract: A cardiac-valve prosthesis is adapted for percutaneous implantation. The prosthesis includes an armature adapted for deployment in a radially expanded implantation position, the armature including a support portion and an anchor portion, which are substantially axially coextensive with respect to one another. A set of leaflets is coupled to the support portion. The leaflets can be deployed with the armature in the implantation position. The leaflets define, in the implantation position, a flow duct that is selectably obstructable. The anchor portion can be deployed to enable anchorage of the cardiac-valve prosthesis at an implantation site.

Abstract: A cardiac-valve prosthesis which can be used, for example, as a valve for percutaneous implantation. The prosthesis includes an armature for anchorage of the valve prosthesis in the implantation site. The armature defines a lumen for passage of the blood flow and supports a set of prosthetic valve leaflets, which, under the action of the blood flow, are able to move into a radially divaricated condition to enable the flow of the blood through the lumen in a first direction and a radially contracted condition, in which the valve leaflets co-operate with one another and block the flow of the blood through the prosthesis in the opposite direction. The armature includes, in one embodiment, two annular elements connected by anchor members having the capacity of projecting radially with respect to the prosthesis, and support members for the set of leaflets, the support members being carried by at least one of the annular elements so as to leave substantially disengaged the aforesaid lumen for passage of the blood.

Abstract: An annuloplasty prosthesis including an inner tubular member having a lateral wall and exhibiting auxetic behavior when subject to a tensile stress along the longitudinal axis of at least one of its portions. The auxetic behavior may be obtained by perforating the tubular member with apertures of desired shape, thus obtaining, for instance, re-entrant honeycomb cell structures or cell structures with two-dimensional chiral symmetry.

Abstract: A cardiac-valve prosthesis which can be used, for example, as a valve for percutaneous implantation. The prosthesis includes an armature for anchorage of the valve prosthesis in the implantation site. The armature defines a lumen for passage of the blood flow and supports a set of prosthetic valve leaflets, which, under the action of the blood flow, are able to move into a radially divaricated condition to enable the flow of the blood through the lumen in a first direction and a radially contracted condition, in which the valve leaflets co-operate with one another and block the flow of the blood through the prosthesis in the opposite direction. The armature includes, in one embodiment, two annular elements connected by anchor members having the capacity of projecting radially with respect to the prosthesis, and support members for the set of leaflets, the support members being carried by at least one of the annular elements so as to leave substantially disengaged the aforesaid lumen for passage of the blood.

Abstract: A cardiac-valve prosthesis is adapted for percutaneous implantation. The prosthesis includes an armature adapted for deployment in a radially expanded implantation position, the armature including a support portion and an anchor portion, which are substantially axially coextensive with respect to one another. A set of leaflets is coupled to the support portion. The leaflets can be deployed with the armature in the implantation position. The leaflets define, in the implantation position, a flow duct that is selectably obstructable. The anchor portion can be deployed to enable anchorage of the cardiac-valve prosthesis at an implantation site.