Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure generally relate to a valve prosthesis having a prosthetic valve, a stent structure, and anti-migration spikes. The stent structure is coupled to the prosthetic valve and includes an inflow portion. The anti-migration spikes are attached to the inflow portion, the anti-migration spikes protruding radially outward and in an outflow direction from the inflow portion. The anti-migration spikes penetrate into tissue of the vessel, e.g., the aortic annulus of a patient's left ventricle, to prevent migration, i.e., undesirable movement, of the valve prosthesis within the vessel after deployment.

Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure generally relate to a valve prosthesis include a prosthetic valve, a stent structure having suture slots, an outer skirt, and outer skirt sutures. The outer skirt sutures attach the outer skirt to the stent structure. The outer skirt sutures are located within the suture slots. By recessing the outer skirt sutures within the suture slots below an inner surface of the stent structure, contact between the outer skirt sutures and valve leaflets of the prosthetic valve is avoided. By avoiding contact between the outer skirt sutures and the valve leaflets, damage to the valve leaflets due to abrasive contact with the outer skirt sutures is prevented.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for inserting a moveable device into a channel such as a vein or artery. The apparatus comprises first and second guide-wires joined by multiple breakable bonds for initially retaining portions of the guide-wires in substantially fixed mutual relationship, the multiple bonds breaking as the moveable device advances along the guide wires. The method comprises inserting the dual guide-wire assembly in the channel with the dual guide-wires initially in fixed relationship to each other and separating the guide-wires by advancing the moveable device along the dual guide-wire assembly sequentially breaking the multiple bonds joining the guide-wires. When the last bond between the wires is broken, the distal tips of the guide-wires are released. The arrangement is especially useful for placing dilation balloons with (or without) stents in bifurcated blood vessels.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for inserting a medical device into a channel such as a vein or artery. The apparatus comprises first and second guide-wires joined by multiple breakable bonds for initially retaining portions of the guide-wires in substantially fixed mutual relationship, the multiple bonds breaking as the medical device advances along the guide wires. The method comprises inserting the dual guide-wire assembly in the channel with the dual guide-wires initially in fixed relation ship to each other and separating the guide-wires by advancing the medical device along the dual guide-wire assembly sequentially breaking the multiple bonds joining the guide-wires. When the last bond between the wires is broken, the distal tips of the guide-wires are released. The arrangement is especially useful for placing dilatation balloons with (or without) stents in bifurcated blood vessels.