Abstract: A sealing member for an implantable prosthesis includes a substrate comprising a substrate material, and one or more hydrogel structures disposed on an outwardly facing surface of the substrate. The hydrogel is stimulus responsive, and undergoes a change in volume, stiffness, or both when exposed to the stimulus. The sealing member promotes endothelialization and/or reduces paravalvular leakage.

Abstract: Methods and systems for attaching a radiopaque marker to a prosthetic heart valve to indicate a location of a commissure of the prosthetic heart valve are disclosed. As one example, a prosthetic heart valve includes a frame including a plurality of struts forming a plurality of cells of the frame arranged between an inflow end and an outflow end of the frame, a plurality of leaflets arranged within the frame, and at least one commissure comprising an attachment member arranged across a selected cell of the plurality of cells of the frame and commissure tabs of two adjacent leaflets coupled to the attachment member. The valve further includes a radiopaque marker arranged on the attachment member of the commissure within the selected cell.

Abstract: Methods and systems for attaching a radiopaque marker to a prosthetic heart valve to indicate a location of a commissure of the prosthetic heart valve are disclosed. As one example, a prosthetic heart valve can include a frame, a plurality of leaflets arranged within the frame, and at least one commissure comprising an attachment member comprising a central portion and a flap extending outward from the central portion, the flap folded over a radially outward facing side of the central portion, and the attachment member arranged across a selected cell of the frame. The commissure further comprises commissure tabs of two adjacent leaflets coupled to a radially inward facing side of the central portion, and a radiopaque marker arranged on the flap of the attachment member, between the flap and the radially outward facing side of the central portion.

Abstract: A system that can be used for suturing implants includes a first automated fixture that can comprise an articulation arm and a target device holder and a second automated fixture configured to operate as a sewing machine to sew material onto the implant. The second automated fixture uses a curved needle to form a stitch without having to release the needle in the process. The second automated fixture can also include a stitch looper that moves in coordination with the curved needle to perform a single-suture or single-thread stitch.

Abstract: A system that can be used for suturing implants includes a first automated fixture that can comprise an articulation arm and a target device holder and a second automated fixture configured to operate as a sewing machine to sew material onto the implant. The second automated fixture uses a curved needle to form a stitch without having to release the needle in the process. The second automated fixture can also include a stitch looper that moves in coordination with the curved needle to perform a single-suture or single-thread stitch.

Abstract: Methods and assemblies for attaching leaflets to a frame of a prosthetic heart valve using a connecting skirt are disclosed. As one example, a prosthetic heart valve can include a frame, a valvular structure mounted within the frame and comprising a plurality of leaflets, each leaflet comprising tabs on opposite sides of the leaflet and a cusp edge portion, and a plurality of connecting skirts. Each connecting skirt comprises side base portions and a central portion connected to each of the cusp edge portion of a corresponding leaflet and struts of the frame, each connecting skirt further comprising side extension portions that extend away from the cusp edge portion along a length of the frame, where each side extension portion of each connecting skirt extends across struts of the frame, between cusp edge portions of adjacent leaflets and connects to an adjacent side extension portion of an adjacent connecting skirt.

Abstract: Methods and systems for attaching a radiopaque marker to a prosthetic heart valve to indicate a location of a commissure of the prosthetic heart valve are disclosed. As one embodiment, a prosthetic heart valve can include a frame including a plurality of struts forming a plurality of cells of the frame arranged between an inflow end and an outflow end of the frame, a plurality of leaflets arranged within the frame, at least one commissure comprising an attachment member arranged across a selected cell of the plurality of cells of the frame and attached to struts of the frame forming the selected cell, and commissure tabs of two adjacent leaflets coupled to the attachment member, and a radiopaque marker arranged on the attachment member of the commissure. The marker is configured to indicate a location of the commissure of the prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve including a frame, leaflet structure, and sealing member disposed around an outer surface of the frame is disclosed. As one example, the sealing member includes a knitted fabric layer, the knitted fabric layer comprising a base layer forming an inner surface of the knitted fabric layer, where the base layer has a mesh-like structure. The knitted fabric layer further comprises a plush outer surface comprising a plurality of pile yarns knit into loops and that extend outward from the base layer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for attaching a radiopaque marker to a prosthetic heart valve to indicate a location of a commissure of the prosthetic heart valve are disclosed. As one embodiment, a prosthetic heart valve can include a frame including a plurality of struts forming a plurality of cells of the frame arranged between an inflow end and an outflow end of the frame, a plurality of leaflets arranged within the frame, at least one commissure comprising an attachment member arranged across a selected cell of the plurality of cells of the frame and attached to struts of the frame forming the selected cell, and commissure tabs of two adjacent leaflets coupled to the attachment member, and a radiopaque marker arranged on the attachment member of the commissure. The marker is configured to indicate a location of the commissure of the prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: Methods and systems for attaching a radiopaque marker to a prosthetic heart valve to indicate a location of a commissure of the prosthetic heart valve are disclosed. As one example, a prosthetic heart valve can include a frame, a plurality of leaflets arranged within the frame, and at least one commissure comprising an attachment member comprising a central portion and a flap extending outward from the central portion, the flap folded over a radially outward facing side of the central portion, and the attachment member arranged across a selected cell of the frame. The commissure further comprises commissure tabs of two adjacent leaflets coupled to a radially inward facing side of the central portion, and a radiopaque marker arranged on the flap of the attachment member, between the flap and the radially outward facing side of the central portion.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve including a frame, leaflet structure, and sealing member disposed around an outer surface of the frame is disclosed. As one example, the sealing member includes an inner layer and a plush outer layer comprising a plush outer surface. The inner layer is arranged against the outer surface of the frame and the outer layer is arranged against and attached to the inner layer. The inner layer is folded over at inflow and outflow ends, in an axial direction relative to a central longitudinal axis of the frame, to overlap respective ends of the outer layer and form tapered folds at opposite ends of the sealing member, each tapered fold including a narrower, first portion where the inner layer folds over and contacts itself and a wider, second portion where the inner layer overlaps an outer surface of an end portion of the outer layer.

Abstract: A system that can be used for suturing implants includes a first automated fixture that can comprise an articulation arm and a target device holder and a second automated fixture configured to operate as a sewing machine to sew material onto the implant. The second automated fixture uses a curved needle to form a stitch without having to release the needle in the process. The second automated fixture can also include a stitch looper that moves in coordination with the curved needle to perform a single-suture or single-thread stitch.