Abstract: A stent for use in hollow tubular organs, comprising a continuous tubular or cylindrical inner cavity which is delimited by a wall. The wall is formed in a tubular or cylindrical manner about an axis which runs in a longitudinal direction and has a structure which surrounds the wall. The structure is made of elements, and the elements are made of loops which are arranged about the longitudinal axis in the radial direction. The elements are rigidly connected via connection points such that a tubular or cylindrical single-piece wall structure is produced, and the stent has acute angles in the region of the connection points.

Abstract: A method of placing an implant including a stent at a native heart valve site includes orienting an expandable body of the stent such that a first open end of the stent is upstream a second open end of the stent relative to a direction of blood flow through a native heart valve. The native heart valve includes native leaflets and an annulus. The method also includes radially expanding a plurality of positioning arches positioned around an outer perimeter of the expandable body. The method additionally includes inserting the plurality of positioning arches respectively within a plurality of pockets defined by leaflets of the native heart valve and a heart structure from which the native leaflets extend. The method further includes radially expanding the first open end of the stent into a position upstream of the annulus and out of contact with nerve bundles.

Abstract: An annuloplasty device is disclosed comprising first and second support rings being configured to be arranged as a coil in a first configuration around an axial direction, wherein the first and second support rings are configured to be arranged on opposite sides of native heart valve leaflets of a heart valve, wherein the first and second support rings are separated with a first pitch distance in the axial direction, in the first configuration, wherein the first and second support rings are configured to assume a contracted state having a second pitch distance in the axial direction being shorter than the first pitch distance, and wherein the first and second support rings are configured to be transferable between the first configuration and the contracted state to pinch the heart valve leaflets. A method of repairing a defective heart valve is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to catheter system for introducing an expandable heart valve stent (150) into the body of a patient, the catheter system comprising: a catheter tip (10) having a seat portion for accommodating the stent (150) in its collapsed state and a stent holder (15) for releasably fixing the stent (150), wherein the seat portion is constituted by a first sleeve-shaped member (11) and a second sleeve-shaped member (21), said sleeve-shaped members (11, 21) being moveable relative to each other and relative to the stent holder (15), and a catheter shaft (30) for connecting the catheter tip (10) to a handle (70).

Abstract: A method of placing an implant including a stent at a native heart valve site includes orienting an expandable body of the stent such that a first open end of the stent is upstream a second open end of the stent relative to a direction of blood flow through a native heart valve. The native heart valve includes native leaflets and an annulus. The method also includes radially expanding a plurality of positioning arches positioned around an outer perimeter of the expandable body. The method additionally includes inserting the plurality of positioning arches respectively within a plurality of pockets defined by leaflets of the native heart valve and a heart structure from which the native leaflets extend. The method further includes radially expanding the first open end of the stent into a position upstream of the annulus and out of contact with nerve bundles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stent (10) for the positioning and anchoring of a valvular prosthesis (100) in an implantation site in the heart of a patient. Specifically, the present invention relates to an expandable stent for an endoprosthesis used in the treatment of a narrowing of a cardiac valve and/or a cardiac valve insufficiency. So as to ensure that no longitudinal displacement of a valvular prosthesis (100) fastened to a stent (10) will occur relative the stent (10) in the implanted state of the stent (10), even given the peristaltic motion of the heart, the stent (10) according to the invention comprises at least one fastening portion (11) via which the valvular prosthesis (100) is connectable to the stent (10). The stent (10) further comprises positioning arches (15) and retaining arches (16), whereby at least one positioning arch (15) is connected to at least one retaining arch (16) via a first connecting land (17).

Abstract: A method of placing an implant including a stent at a native heart valve site includes orienting an expandable body of the stent such that a first open end of the stent is upstream a second open end of the stent relative to a direction of blood flow through a native heart valve. The native heart valve includes native leaflets and an annulus. The method also includes radially expanding a plurality of positioning arches positioned around an outer perimeter of the expandable body. The method additionally includes inserting the plurality of positioning arches respectively within a plurality of pockets defined by leaflets of the native heart valve and a heart structure from which the native leaflets extend. The method further includes radially expanding the first open end of the stent into a position upstream of the annulus and out of contact with nerve bundles.

Abstract: A medical device for treating a heart valve insufficiency, with an endoprosthesis which can be introduced into a patient's body and expanded to secure a heart valve prosthesis in the patient's aorta. In an embodiment, the endoprosthesis has a plurality of positioning arches configured to be positioned with respect to a patient's aorta and a plurality of retaining arches to support a heart valve prosthesis. The endoprosthesis includes a first collapsed mode during the process of introducing it into the patient's body and a second expanded mode when it is implanted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stent (10) for the positioning and anchoring of a valvular prosthesis (100) in an implantation site in the heart of a patient. Specifically, the present invention relates to an expandable stent for an endoprosthesis used in the treatment of a narrowing of a cardiac valve and/or a cardiac valve insufficiency. So as to ensure that no longitudinal displacement of a valvular prosthesis (100) fastened to a stent (10) will occur relative the stent (10) in the implanted state of the stent (10), even given the peristaltic motion of the heart, the stent (10) according to the invention comprises at least one fastening portion (11) via which the valvular prosthesis (100) is connectable to the stent (10). The stent (10) further comprises positioning arches (15) and retaining arches (16), whereby at least one positioning arch (15) is connected to at least one retaining arch (16) via a first connecting land (17).

Abstract: A medical device for treating a heart valve insufficiency, with an endoprosthesis which can be introduced into a patient's body and expanded to secure a heart valve prosthesis in the patient's aorta. In an embodiment, the endoprosthesis has a plurality of positioning arches configured to be positioned with respect to a patient's aorta and a plurality of retaining arches to support a heart valve prosthesis. The endoprosthesis includes a first collapsed mode during the process of introducing it into the patient's body and a second expanded mode when it is implanted.

Abstract: An annuloplasty device is disclosed comprising first and second support rings being configured to be arranged as a coil in a first configuration around an axial direction, wherein the first and second support rings are configured to be arranged on opposite sides of native heart valve leaflets of a heart valve, a stiffening unit, wherein at least part of the first and second support rings comprises an interior channel configured to receive the stiffening unit, wherein insertion of the stiffening unit into the interior channel increases the stiffness of the first and/or second support rings. A method of repairing a defective heart valve is also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a catheter system for introducing a heart valve stent into the body of a patient. The catheter system includes a catheter tip having a seat portion for accommodating the stent in its collapsed state and a stent holder for releasably fixing the stent, wherein the seat portion is constituted by a first sleeve and a second sleeve, said sleeves being moveable relative to each other and relative to the stent holder, and a catheter shaft for connecting the catheter tip to a handle.

Abstract: A method of placing an implant including a stent at a native heart valve site includes orienting an expandable body of the stent such that a first open end of the stent is upstream a second open end of the stent relative to a direction of blood flow through a native heart valve. The native heart valve includes native leaflets and an annulus. The method also includes radially expanding a plurality of positioning arches positioned around an outer perimeter of the expandable body. The method additionally includes inserting the plurality of positioning arches respectively within a plurality of pockets defined by leaflets of the native heart valve and a heart structure from which the native leaflets extend. The method further includes radially expanding the first open end of the stent into a position upstream of the annulus and out of contact with nerve bundles.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a catheter system for introducing a heart valve stent into the body of a patient. The catheter system includes a catheter tip having a seat portion for accommodating the stent in its collapsed state and a stent holder for releasably fixing the stent, wherein the seat portion is constituted by a first sleeve and a second sleeve, said sleeves being moveable relative to each other and relative to the stent holder, and a catheter shaft for connecting the catheter tip to a handle.

Abstract: Arrangement for implanting stent elements in or around a hollow organ, having a plurality of stent elements, more particularly self-expanding stent elements, wherein the stent elements are arranged on an axial line (L) and wherein lateral surfaces of the respective stent elements are defined by material-free regions and material webs.

Abstract: A medical device for treating a heart valve insufficiency, with an endoprosthesis which can be introduced into a patient's body and expanded to secure a heart valve prosthesis in the patient's aorta. In an embodiment, the endoprosthesis has a plurality of positioning arches configured to be positioned with respect to a patient's aorta and a plurality of retaining arches to support a heart valve prosthesis. The endoprosthesis includes a first collapsed mode during the process of introducing it into the patient's body and a second expanded mode when it is implanted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stent (10) for the positioning and anchoring of a valvular prosthesis (100) in an implantation site in the heart of a patient. Specifically, the present invention relates to an expandable stent for an endoprosthesis used in the treatment of a narrowing of a cardiac valve and/or a cardiac valve insufficiency. So as to ensure that no longitudinal displacement of a valvular prosthesis (100) fastened to a stent (10) will occur relative the stent (10) in the implanted state of the stent (10), even given the peristaltic motion of the heart, the stent (10) according to the invention comprises at least one fastening portion (11) via which the valvular prosthesis (100) is connectable to the stent (10). The stent (10) further comprises positioning arches (15) and retaining arches (16), whereby at least one positioning arch (15) is connected to at least one retaining arch (16) via a first connecting land (17).

Abstract: A device configured for implantation at a heart valve comprises an expandable stent. The stent comprises a first stent segment extending along a first length portion of the stent. The first stent segment is configured to be positioned and radially expanded against a vascular wall of a native aortic valve site. The first stent segment comprises a plurality of closed cell structures defining a circumference of the stent along the first length portion. The plurality of closed cell structures has a uniform density around the circumference. The stent also comprises a second stent segment disposed along a second length portion of the stent. The second stent segment comprises a plurality of interconnected strut members disposed around a circumference of the stent in alternating regions having a first strut density and a second strut density. The first strut density is higher than the second strut density.

Abstract: A stent for implantation at a native heart valve includes an expandable body having a first open end and second open end opposite the first open end. The sent includes a plurality of positioning arches positioned around an outer perimeter of the expandable body. Each positioning arch terminates in an apex facing toward the first open end of the expandable body. In an implanted position, the expandable body is oriented such that the first open end is upstream the second open end relative to a direction of blood flow through the native heart valve. In the implanted position, the apex of each of the positioning arches is configured to be positioned within a respective one of a plurality of pockets of the native heart valve and the first open end is positioned upstream of an annulus of the heart valve and out of contact with nerve bundles of the valve.

Abstract: A medical device for treating a heart valve insufficiency, with an endoprosthesis which can be introduced into a patient's body and expanded to secure a heart valve prosthesis in the patient's aorta. In an embodiment, the endoprosthesis has a plurality of positioning arches configured to be positioned with respect to a patient's aorta and a plurality of retaining arches to support a heart valve prosthesis. The endoprosthesis includes a first collapsed mode during the process of introducing it into the patient's body and a second expanded mode when it is implanted.