Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent extending along a longitudinal axis and having an inflow end and an outflow end, the stent including a plurality of cells annularly arranged around the stent in at least one row, the plurality of cells having a first nesting cell adjacent the outflow end of the stent, a first engaging arm disposed within the first nesting cell and being pivotally movable between a loaded condition, a partially-released condition, and a fully-released condition, the first engaging arm and the first nesting cell having a synchronous pivoting movement, and a collapsible and expandable valve assembly disposed within the stent and having a plurality of leaflets.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent having a proximal end, a distal end, an annulus section adjacent the proximal end and an aortic section adjacent the distal end. The heart valve further includes a plurality of commissure features disposed on the stent, and a collapsible and expandable valve assembly, the valve assembly including a plurality of leaflets connected to the plurality of commissure features, each of the plurality of leaflets having a free edge and being configured to have a tension line aligned near the free edge to prevent backflow.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent having a proximal end, a distal end, an annulus section adjacent the proximal end and an aortic section adjacent the distal end. The heart valve further includes a plurality of commissure features disposed on the stent, and a collapsible and expandable valve assembly, the valve assembly including a plurality of leaflets connected to the plurality of commissure features, each of the plurality of leaflets having a free edge and being configured to have a tension line aligned near the free edge to prevent backflow.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent extending along a longitudinal axis and having an inflow end and an outflow end, the stent including a plurality of cells annularly arranged around the stent in at least one row, the plurality of cells having a first nesting cell adjacent the outflow end of the stent, a first engaging arm disposed within the first nesting cell and being pivotally movable between a loaded condition, a partially-released condition, and a fully-released condition, the first engaging arm and the first nesting cell having a synchronous pivoting movement, and a collapsible and expandable valve assembly disposed within the stent and having a plurality of leaflets.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve may include a stent, a valve assembly, a flange, and a plurality of coupling tubes. The stent may have a collapsed condition, an expanded condition, and a plurality of cells arranged in circumferential rows, the stent having a longitudinal axis, an inflow end and an outflow end. The valve assembly may be disposed within the stent. The flange may comprise a plurality of braided wires and may have a flared portion. The plurality of coupling tubes may couple the flange to the stent so that the flared portion is adjacent the inflow end of the stent. Each of the coupling tubes may have a first end receiving corresponding ones of the braided wires and a second end coupled to a corresponding portion of the stent.

Abstract: A prosthetic mitral valve may include a collapsible stent including a plurality of struts, a plurality of cells arranged in circumferential rows, the circumferential rows including a first row at an outflow end of the stent and a second row at an inflow end of the stent, and a plurality of strut intersections where at least two of the struts connect to one another. A cuff is attached to the stent. A prosthetic valve assembly is adapted to allow blood to flow in only one direction through the valve. The prosthetic valve assembly includes a first prosthetic leaflet having a first end attached directly to a first one of the strut intersections, and a second prosthetic leaflet having a first end attached directly to the first strut intersection. The first strut intersection is partially formed of one of the struts of one of the cells in the first row.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent having a proximal end, a distal end, an annulus section adjacent the proximal end and an aortic section adjacent the distal end. The heart valve further includes a plurality of commissure features disposed on the stent, and a collapsible and expandable valve assembly, the valve assembly including a plurality of leaflets connected to the plurality of commissure features, each of the plurality of leaflets having a free edge and being configured to have a tension line aligned near the free edge to prevent backflow.

Abstract: Methods of preparing calcification-resistant bioprosthetic tissue include providing fresh biological tissue, cross-linking the tissue, treating the cross-linked tissue with an alcohol for a time sufficient to allow the alcohol to be diffused into the tissue, and treating the alcohol-treated fixed tissue with a polyol for a time sufficient to allow fluid in the tissue to be replaced by the polyol. The methods may include sterilizing the cross-linked tissue in a solution including propylene oxide or peracetic acid either before or after the alcohol treatment step; or drying the alcohol/polyol-treated, cross-linked tissue, sterilizing the dried tissue by exposure to ethylene oxide or peracetic acid, and storing the sterilized tissue in a dry, ambient environment. The treated tissue may be a tissue component for a bioprosthetic valve, a valve assembly for a bioprosthetic valve or a fully assembled bioprosthetic valve incorporating the tissue.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent having a proximal end, a distal end, an annulus section adjacent the proximal end and an aortic section adjacent the distal end. The heart valve further includes a plurality of commissure features disposed on the stent, and a collapsible and expandable valve assembly, the valve assembly including a plurality of leaflets connected to the plurality of commissure features, each of the plurality of leaflets having a free edge and being configured to have a tension line aligned near the free edge to prevent backflow.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve may include a stent, a valve assembly, a flange, and a plurality of coupling tubes. The stent may have a collapsed condition, an expanded condition, and a plurality of cells arranged in circumferential rows, the stent having a longitudinal axis, an inflow end and an outflow end. The valve assembly may be disposed within the stent. The flange may comprise a plurality of braided wires and may have a flared portion. The plurality of coupling tubes may couple the flange to the stent so that the flared portion is adjacent the inflow end of the stent. Each of the coupling tubes may have a first end receiving corresponding ones of the braided wires and a second end coupled to a corresponding portion of the stent.

Abstract: A prosthetic mitral valve may include a collapsible stent including a plurality of struts, a plurality of cells arranged in circumferential rows, the circumferential rows including a first row at an outflow end of the stent and a second row at an inflow end of the stent, and a plurality of strut intersections where at least two of the struts connect to one another. A cuff is attached to the stent. A prosthetic valve assembly is adapted to allow blood to flow in only one direction through the valve. The prosthetic valve assembly includes a first prosthetic leaflet having a first end attached directly to a first one of the strut intersections, and a second prosthetic leaflet having a first end attached directly to the first strut intersection. The first strut intersection is partially formed of one of the struts of one of the cells in the first row.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve having an inflow end, an outflow end and a longitudinal axis extending from the inflow end to the outflow end includes a collapsible and expandable stent including a plurality of cells arranged in at least one row extending around a circumference of the stent. The stent further includes at least one engaging arm joined to one of the cells adjacent the outflow end and having a free end extending toward the inflow end, the engaging arm being movable between a loaded condition in which the engaging arm is oriented substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the stent, a partially-released condition in which the engaging arm forms a first angle with the longitudinal axis of the stent, and a fully-released condition in which the engaging arm forms a second angle with the longitudinal axis of the stent, the first angle being larger than the second angle.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve having an inflow end, an outflow end and a longitudinal axis extending from the inflow end to the outflow end includes a collapsible and expandable stent including a plurality of cells arranged in at least one row extending around a circumference of the stent. The stent further includes at least one engaging arm joined to one of the cells adjacent the outflow end and having a free end extending toward the inflow end, the engaging arm being movable between a loaded condition in which the engaging arm is oriented substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the stent, a partially-released condition in which the engaging arm forms a first angle with the longitudinal axis of the stent, and a fully-released condition in which the engaging arm forms a second angle with the longitudinal axis of the stent, the first angle being larger than the second angle.

Abstract: Methods of preparing calcification-resistant bioprosthetic tissue include providing fresh biological tissue, cross-linking the tissue, treating the cross-linked tissue with an alcohol for a time sufficient to allow the alcohol to be diffused into the tissue, and treating the alcohol-treated fixed tissue with a polyol for a time sufficient to allow fluid in the tissue to be replaced by the polyol. The methods may include sterilizing the cross-linked tissue in a solution including propylene oxide or peracetic acid either before or after the alcohol treatment step; or drying the alcohol/polyol-treated, cross-linked tissue, sterilizing the dried tissue by exposure to ethylene oxide or peracetic acid, and storing the sterilized tissue in a dry, ambient environment. The treated tissue may be a tissue component for a bioprosthetic valve, a valve assembly for a bioprosthetic valve or a fully assembled bioprosthetic valve incorporating the tissue.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve having an inflow end, an outflow end and a longitudinal axis extending from the inflow end to the outflow end includes a collapsible and expandable stent including a plurality of cells arranged in at least one row extending around a circumference of the stent. The stent further includes at least one engaging arm joined to one of the cells adjacent the outflow end and having a free end extending toward the inflow end, the engaging arm being movable between a loaded condition in which the engaging arm is oriented substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the stent, a partially-released condition in which the engaging arm forms a first angle with the longitudinal axis of the stent, and a fully-released condition in which the engaging arm forms a second angle with the longitudinal axis of the stent, the first angle being larger than the second angle.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent having a proximal end, a distal end, an annulus section adjacent the proximal end and an aortic section adjacent the distal end. The heart valve further includes a plurality of commissure features disposed on the stent, and a collapsible and expandable valve assembly, the valve assembly including a plurality of leaflets connected to the plurality of commissure features, each of the plurality of leaflets having a free edge and being configured to have a tension line aligned near the free edge to prevent backflow.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent having a proximal end, a distal end, an annulus section adjacent the proximal end and an aortic section adjacent the distal end. The heart valve further includes a plurality of commissure features disposed on the stent, and a collapsible and expandable valve assembly, the valve assembly including a plurality of leaflets connected to the plurality of commissure features, each of the plurality of leaflets having a free edge and being configured to have a tension line aligned near the free edge to prevent backflow.

Abstract: A method of making a tissue valve. The method includes the step of attaching a valve assembly comprised of at least one leaflet to an interior surface of a stent configure to fit within at least one blood vessel. The method also includes the step of lyophilizing the valve assembly.