Abstract: A prosthetic valve assembly for implantation in a patient's circulatory system includes a stent, a valve member coupled to the stent and defining a preferred landing zone relative to anatomical structures in the patient's circulatory system, and at least one marker positioned in a predetermined relationship relative to the landing zone of the valve member, the marker being visually distinguishable from the stent using an imaging technique. By observing the marker, the prosthetic valve assembly may be implanted in the patient so that certain ones of the anatomical structures lie within the landing zone.

Abstract: A medical device delivery system includes an inner shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a support shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and an articulating assembly disposed between the inner shaft and the support shaft. The support shaft is sized for insertion into the circulatory system of a patient. The articulating assembly includes a first portion extending from the distal end of the inner shaft and a second portion at the proximal end of the support shaft. The first portion is pivotable relative to the second portion to change orientation of the support shaft relative to the inner shaft. A retainer is secured to a portion of the articulating assembly and is configured to retain a medical device on the support shaft between the retainer and the distal end of the support shaft.

Abstract: A delivery device (10) for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve may include an operating handle (20, 220, 320) having a housing (30, 230, 330) and a carriage selectively (40) fixed or movable relative to the housing, and a catheter assembly (16, 116, 216, 416). The catheter assembly may have an inner shaft (26, 126, 226, 326, 426) around which a compartment (23) is defined, an outer shaft (22) surrounding at least a portion of the inner shaft, a distal sheath (24) fixedly connected to the outer shaft, and a mechanism configured to apply a distal force to the outer shaft while the carriage (40) is fixed relative to the housing (30, 230, 330) to stretch the outer shaft from a compressed length to an extended length. The extended length may be greater than the compressed length along an axis of elongation of the outer shaft (22).

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering a collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes a valve support structure for supporting a collapsible prosthetic heart valve, and a distal sheath movable in a longitudinal direction relative to the valve support structure between a first position in which the distal sheath is adapted to surround a collapsible prosthetic heart valve supported on the valve support structure, and a second position in which the distal sheath is adapted to expose the collapsible prosthetic heart valve for deployment. The distal sheath is at least partially formed of an inner polymer layer, an outer polymer layer, and a tubular supporting member sandwiched between the inner polymer layer and the outer polymer layer.

Abstract: A transcatheter valve delivery system includes a longitudinal member extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and having a compartment adjacent the distal end for holding a medical device in a collapsed condition. An alignment element is connected to the longitudinal member and is movable relative to the longitudinal member between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the deployed position, the alignment element is configured to urge against an anatomical surface to position the longitudinal member at a desired location relative to the anatomical surface.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve assembly for implantation in a patient's circulatory system includes a stent, a valve member coupled to the stent and defining a preferred landing zone relative to anatomical structures in the patient's circulatory system, and at least one marker positioned in a predetermined relationship relative to the landing zone of the valve member, the marker being visually distinguishable from the stent using an imaging technique. By observing the marker, the prosthetic valve assembly may be implanted in the patient so that certain ones of the anatomical structures lie within the landing zone.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve assembly for implantation in a patient's circulatory system includes a stent, a valve member coupled to the stent and defining a preferred landing zone relative to anatomical structures in the patient's circulatory system, and at least one marker positioned in a predetermined relationship relative to the landing zone of the valve member, the marker being visually distinguishable from the stent using an imaging technique. By observing the marker, the prosthetic valve assembly may be implanted in the patient so that certain ones of the anatomical structures lie within the landing zone.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering a collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes a valve support structure for supporting a collapsible prosthetic heart valve, and a distal sheath movable in a longitudinal direction relative to the valve support structure between a first position in which the distal sheath is adapted to surround a collapsible prosthetic heart valve supported on the valve support structure, and a second position in which the distal sheath is adapted to expose the collapsible prosthetic heart valve for deployment. The distal sheath is at least partially formed of an inner polymer layer, an outer polymer layer, and a tubular supporting member sandwiched between the inner polymer layer and the outer polymer layer.

Abstract: A medical device delivery system includes an inner shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a support shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and an articulating assembly disposed between the inner shaft and the support shaft. The support shaft is sized for insertion into the circulatory system of a patient. The articulating assembly includes a first portion extending from the distal end of the inner shaft and a second portion at the proximal end of the support shaft. The first portion is pivotable relative to the second portion to change orientation of the support shaft relative to the inner shaft. A retainer is secured to a portion of the articulating assembly and is configured to retain a medical device on the support shaft between the retainer and the distal end of the support shaft.

Abstract: A medical device delivery system includes an inner shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a support shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and an articulating assembly disposed between the inner shaft and the support shaft. The support shaft is sized for insertion into the circulatory system of a patient. The articulating assembly includes a first portion at the distal end of the inner shaft and a second portion at the proximal end of the support shaft. The first portion is pivotable relative to the second portion to change orientation of the support shaft relative to the inner shaft.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering a collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes a valve support structure for supporting a collapsible prosthetic heart valve, and a distal sheath movable in a longitudinal direction relative to the valve support structure between a first position in which the distal sheath is adapted to surround a collapsible prosthetic heart valve supported on the valve support structure, and a second position in which the distal sheath is adapted to expose the collapsible prosthetic heart valve for deployment. The distal sheath is at least partially formed of an inner polymer layer, an outer polymer layer, and a tubular supporting member sandwiched between the inner polymer layer and the outer polymer layer.

Abstract: An introducer sheath includes a tubular cannula extending between a leading end and trailing end, the cannula defining a lumen therethrough. A first balloon may be disposed adjacent the leading end of the cannula, the first balloon being configured and arranged to dilate from a collapsed condition to an expanded condition. An inflation port may be configured to receive an inflation medium to dilate the first balloon.

Abstract: A delivery device (10) for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve may include an operating handle (20, 220, 320) having a housing (30, 230, 330) and a carriage selectively (40) fixed or movable relative to the housing, and a catheter assembly (16, 116, 216, 416). The catheter assembly may have an inner shaft (26, 126, 226, 326, 426) around which a compartment (23) is defined, an outer shaft (22) surrounding at least a portion of the inner shaft, a distal sheath (24) fixedly connected to the outer shaft, and a mechanism configured to apply a distal force to the outer shaft while the carriage (40) is fixed relative to the housing (30, 230, 330) to stretch the outer shaft from a compressed length to an extended length. The extended length may be greater than the compressed length along an axis of elongation of the outer shaft (22).

Abstract: A transcatheter valve delivery system includes a longitudinal member extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and having a compartment adjacent the distal end for holding a medical device in a collapsed condition. An alignment element is connected to the longitudinal member and is movable relative to the longitudinal member between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the deployed position, the alignment element is configured to urge against an anatomical surface to position the longitudinal member at a desired location relative to the anatomical surface.

Abstract: A medical device delivery system includes an inner shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a support shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and an articulating assembly disposed between the inner shaft and the support shaft. The support shaft is sized for insertion into the circulatory system of a patient. The articulating assembly includes a first portion at the distal end of the inner shaft and a second portion at the proximal end of the support shaft. The first portion is pivotable relative to the second portion to change orientation of the support shaft relative to the inner shaft.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve assembly for implantation in a patient's circulatory system includes a stent, a valve member coupled to the stent and defining a preferred landing zone relative to anatomical structures in the patient's circulatory system, and at least one marker positioned in a predetermined relationship relative to the landing zone of the valve member, the marker being visually distinguishable from the stent using an imaging technique. By observing the marker, the prosthetic valve assembly may be implanted in the patient so that certain ones of the anatomical structures lie within the landing zone.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering a collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes a valve support structure for supporting a collapsible prosthetic heart valve, and a distal sheath movable in a longitudinal direction relative to the valve support structure between a first position in which the distal sheath is adapted to surround a collapsible prosthetic heart valve supported on the valve support structure, and a second position in which the distal sheath is adapted to expose the collapsible prosthetic heart valve for deployment. The distal sheath is at least partially formed of an inner polymer layer, an outer polymer layer, and a tubular supporting member sandwiched between the inner polymer layer and the outer polymer layer.