Abstract: There are provided methods and systems for preparing an expandable prosthetic heart valve and assemblies comprising prepared valves. The methods comprise the steps of inserting a support member into the prosthetic heart valve whilst the prosthetic heart valve is in an expanded state, arranging the support member and prosthetic heart valve such that the support member contacts two or more leaflets of the prosthetic heart valve, and crimping the prosthetic heart valve to reduce its external diameter and the external diameter of the support member whilst the support member is maintained in contact with the two or more leaflets during crimping.

Abstract: According to an example of the disclosure, a system for delivering a prosthetic heart valve includes a handle, a delivery catheter extending from the handle, and a balloon on a distal portion of the catheter, the balloon having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a central portion positioned between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the central portion configured to receive the prosthetic heart valve in a crimped condition thereon. The proximal portion may have a proximal wall thickness, the distal portion may have a distal wall thickness, and the central portion may have a central wall thickness, the central wall thickness being smaller than the proximal wall thickness and smaller than the distal wall thickness.

Abstract: A delivery device for delivering a prosthetic heart valve may include a balloon catheter shaft having a distal end, an inner shaft extending through the balloon catheter in a proximal-to-distal direction, an atraumatic distal tip positioned at a distal end of the inner shaft, and a balloon positioned between the distal end of the balloon catheter shaft and the atraumatic distal tip. In an uninflated condition of the balloon, the balloon may include a proximal bulge, a distal bulge, and an intermediate section having a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the proximal bulge and smaller than a diameter of the distal bulge. The distal bulge may extend a first length in the proximal-to-distal direction, and the proximal bulge may extend a second length in the proximal-to-distal direction, the first length being different than the second length.

Abstract: In some examples, an introducer sheath extends from a proximal end to a distal end, and includes a hub disposed at the proximal end, and a body coupled to the hub and extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the body defining a lumen and having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition, the body having a braided material and an elastomeric material covering the braided material, the body having a flared distal end.

Abstract: A delivery device includes a catheter, and an inflatable balloon coupled to the catheter, the inflatable balloon forming a leading pillow and a trailing pillow spaced from the leading pillow, the leading pillow and the trailing pillow defining a valve seat therebetween to retain a prosthetic heart valve during tracking of the delivery device.