Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a prosthetic heart valve are provided. The apparatus may include a prosthetic heart-valve fitting. The fitting may be seated in a valve annulus of the heart. The fitting may be a fitting that does not include a tissue-penetrating anchor. The fitting may be a fitting that does not include a tissue-penetrating barb. The apparatus may include a brace. The brace may be urged by an atrial tissue of the heart to maintain a position of the fitting in the annulus.

Abstract: Embodiments of delivery systems, devices and methods for delivering a prosthetic heart valve device to a heart chamber for expanded implementation are disclosed. More specifically, methods, systems and devices are disclosed for delivering a self-expanding prosthetic mitral valve device to the left atrium, with no engagement of the left ventricle, the native mitral valve leaflets or the annular tissue downstream of the upper annular surface during delivery, and in some embodiments with no engagement of the ventricle, mitral valve leaflets and/or annular tissue located downstream of the upper annular surface by the delivered, positioned and expanded prosthetic mitral valve device.

Abstract: A two-step delivery method, system and device is disclosed comprising, in various embodiments, a self-expanding frame. A self-expanding frame is delivered and expanded within a heart chamber followed by delivery of a prosthetic valve comprising prosthetic valves thereon into the expanded self-expanding frame, which is in turn connected to a valve connection region defined on and by the delivered and expanded frame.

Abstract: A two-step delivery method, system and device is disclosed comprising, in various embodiments, a self-expanding frame. A self-expanding frame is delivered and expanded within a heart chamber followed by delivery of a prosthetic valve comprising prosthetic valves thereon into the expanded self-expanding frame, which is in turn connected to a valve connection region defined on and by the delivered and expanded frame.

Abstract: A collapsible and expandable prosthetic heart valve stent is provided and comprising an outer section, a valve support defining a flow channel therethrough, a transition section configured to smoothly transition the outer section to the valve support. The valve support is disposed within an interior defined by the outer section, with the inflow end of the valve support disposed inside the outer section's interior. In some cases, the outflow end of the valve support is at least partially defined by the transition section. The prosthetic leaflets are disposed on the inner surface of the valve support's flow channel and are located at or above the annulus of the heart chamber. A prolapse prevention system is attached to the stent to mitigate native valve leaflet prolapse.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention comprise a single-chamber collapsible and expandable prosthetic valve implant device with an elevated valve section and comprising the following capabilities: (1) preservation of native valve functionality; (2) initial preservation of native valve functionality with subsequent full replacement of native valve functionality; (3) full replacement of native valve functionality; and/or (4) mitigation of the prolapsing distance of the dysfunctional leaflets by preventing the anterior excursion of the prolapsing leaflets above the upper annular surface and into the left atrial chamber in order to preserve native leaflet functionality for as long as possible. The expanded and implanted device does not extend beyond the boundaries of the subject heart chamber, e.g., the left atrium, thereby enabling the preservation of any remaining native valve functionality with subsequent full replacement of native valve functionality if and when needed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention comprise a single-chamber collapsible and expandable prosthetic valve implant device with an elevated valve section and comprising the following capabilities: (1) preservation of native valve functionality; (2) initial preservation of native valve functionality with subsequent full replacement of native valve functionality; (3) full replacement of native valve functionality; and/or (4) mitigation of the prolapsing distance of the dysfunctional leaflets by preventing the anterior excursion of the prolapsing leaflets above the upper annular surface and into the left atrial chamber in order to preserve native leaflet functionality for as long as possible. The expanded and implanted device does not extend beyond the boundaries of the subject heart chamber, e.g., the left atrium, thereby enabling the preservation of any remaining native valve functionality with subsequent full replacement of native valve functionality if and when needed.

Abstract: A collapsible and expandable prosthetic heart valve stent is provided and comprising an outer section, a valve support defining a flow channel therethrough, a transition section configured to smoothly transition the outer section to the valve support. The valve support is disposed within an interior defined by the outer section, with the inflow end of the valve support disposed inside the outer section's interior. In some cases, the outflow end of the valve support is at least partially defined by the transition section. The prosthetic leaflets are disposed on the inner surface of the valve support's flow channel and are located at or above the annulus of the heart chamber. A paravalvular leakage mitigation system is attached to the stent to mitigate retrograde blood flow and/or regurgitation.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention comprise a single-chamber collapsible and expandable prosthetic valve implant device comprising the following capabilities: (1) preservation of native valve functionality; (2) initial preservation of native valve functionality with subsequent full replacement of native valve functionality; (3) full replacement of native valve functionality; and/or (4) mitigation of the prolapsing distance of the dysfunctional leaflets by preventing the anterior excursion of the prolapsing leaflets above the upper annular surface and into the left atrial chamber in order to preserve native leaflet functionality for as long as possible. The expanded and implanted device does not extend beyond the boundaries of the subject heart chamber, e.g., the left atrium, thereby enabling the preservation of any remaining native valve functionality with subsequent full replacement of native valve functionality if and when needed.

Abstract: Embodiments of delivery systems, devices and methods for delivering a prosthetic heart valve device to a heart chamber for expanded implementation are disclosed. More specifically, methods, systems and devices are disclosed for delivering a self-expanding prosthetic mitral valve device to the left atrium, with no engagement of the left ventricle, the native mitral valve leaflets or the annular tissue downstream of the upper annular surface during delivery, and in some embodiments with no engagement of the ventricle, mitral valve leaflets and/or annular tissue located downstream of the upper annular surface by the delivered, positioned and expanded prosthetic mitral valve device.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention comprise a single-chamber collapsible and expandable prosthetic valve implant device comprising the following capabilities: (1) preservation of native valve functionality; (2) initial preservation of native valve functionality with subsequent full replacement of native valve functionality; (3) full replacement of native valve functionality; and/or (4) mitigation of the prolapsing distance of the dysfunctional leaflets by preventing the anterior excursion of the prolapsing leaflets above the upper annular surface and into the left atrial chamber in order to preserve native leaflet functionality for as long as possible. The expanded and implanted device does not extend beyond the boundaries of the subject heart chamber, e.g., the left atrium, thereby enabling the preservation of any remaining native valve functionality with subsequent full replacement of native valve functionality if and when needed.

Abstract: Fishing rods including a rod body defining a non-linear shape in a normal, un-loaded state.

Abstract: Fishing rods including a rod body comprising a shape memory material.

Abstract: Embodiments of delivery systems, devices and methods for delivering a prosthetic heart valve device to a heart chamber for expanded implementation are disclosed. More specifically, methods, systems and devices are disclosed for delivering a self-expanding prosthetic mitral valve device to the left atrium, with no engagement of the left ventricle, the native mitral valve leaflets or the annular tissue downstream of the upper annular surface during delivery, and in some embodiments with no engagement of the ventricle, mitral valve leaflets and/or annular tissue located downstream of the upper annular surface by the delivered, positioned and expanded prosthetic mitral valve device.

Abstract: A device for providing cardiac treatment at the left atrium of a patient's heart. The device includes a retention body and a prosthetic valve. The retention body has a shape that can be manipulated between a collapsed state and a normal or expanded state. First and second openings are defined at one side of the retention body, and a lower opening is defined at an opposite side. The prosthetic valve is carried by the retention body at the lower opening. The retention body is configured to engage a substantial portion of an interior surface of the left atrium, securing the prosthetic valve at a desired location relative to a native mitral valve (e.g., within the mitral valve or slightly spaced from the mitral valve). The first and second openings are sized and shaped so as to permit blood flow from the pulmonary veins into the interior region.

Abstract: A two-step delivery method, system and device is disclosed comprising, in various embodiments, a self-expanding frame. A self-expanding frame is delivered and expanded within a heart chamber followed by delivery of a prosthetic valve comprising prosthetic valves thereon into the expanded self-expanding frame, which is in turn connected to a valve connection region defined on and by the delivered and expanded frame.

Abstract: Embodiments of delivery systems, devices and methods for delivering a prosthetic heart valve device to a heart chamber for expanded implementation are disclosed. More specifically, methods, systems and devices are disclosed for delivering a self-expanding prosthetic mitral valve device to the left atrium, with no engagement of the left ventricle, the native mitral valve leaflets or the annular tissue downstream of the upper annular surface during delivery, and in some embodiments with no engagement of the ventricle, mitral valve leaflets and/or annular tissue located downstream of the upper annular surface by the delivered, positioned and expanded prosthetic mitral valve device.

Abstract: A device for providing cardiac treatment at the left atrium of a patient's heart. The device includes a retention body and a prosthetic valve. The retention body has a shape that can be manipulated between a collapsed state and a normal or expanded state. First and second openings are defined at one side of the retention body, and a lower opening is defined at an opposite side. The prosthetic valve is carried by the retention body at the lower opening. The retention body is configured to engage a substantial portion of an interior surface of the left atrium, securing the prosthetic valve at a desired location relative to a native mitral valve (e.g., within the mitral valve or slightly spaced from the mitral valve). The first and second openings are sized and shaped so as to permit blood flow from the pulmonary veins into the interior region.

Abstract: A two-step delivery method, system and device is disclosed comprising, in various embodiments, a self-expanding frame. A self-expanding frame is delivered and expanded within a heart chamber followed by delivery of a prosthetic valve comprising prosthetic valves thereon into the expanded self-expanding frame, which is in turn connected to a valve connection region defined on and by the delivered and expanded frame.

Abstract: A collapsible and expandable prosthetic heart valve stent is provided and comprising an outer section, a valve support defining a flow channel therethrough, a transition section configured to smoothly transition the outer section to the valve support. The valve support is disposed within an interior defined by the outer section, with the inflow end of the valve support disposed inside the outer section's interior. In some cases, the outflow end of the valve support is at least partially defined by the transition section. The prosthetic leaflets are disposed on the inner surface of the valve support's flow channel and are located at or above the annulus of the heart chamber. A prolapse prevention system is attached to the stent to mitigate native valve leaflet prolapse.