Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthetic heart valve includes advancing a delivery catheter toward a native heart valve, wherein the delivery catheter has a distal capsule containing a prosthetic valve in a compressed state. The prosthetic valve includes a self-expandable interior stent and a self-expandable exterior wire mesh surrounding the interior stent. The exterior wire mesh preferably has a lower radial strength than the interior stent for conforming to a surrounding shape of the native valve. The prosthetic valve is expelled from the distal capsule and allowed to expand within the native valve. Capturing elements extending from a ventricular end of the interior stent trap native leaflets between the capturing elements and an outer surface of the wire mesh.

Abstract: A prosthetic mitral valve has an interior stent and an exterior mesh surrounding the interior stent. The prosthetic mitral valve is released from a capsule and self-expands within a native mitral valve. The exterior wire mesh has a first portion with an enlarged diameter sized for placement above a mitral annulus and a second portion with a reduced diameter for contacting the mitral annulus. Capturing elements are provided on the interior stent. The capturing elements extend in a ventricular direction beyond the exterior wire mesh and then turn in an atrial direction for trapping native mitral leaflets against an outer surface of the wire mesh. A plurality of valve leaflets is provided within the interior stent for replacing the function of the native mitral valve.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve for an endoprosthesis used in the treatment of a stenotic heart valve and/or a heart valve insufficiency. The prosthetic heart valve comprises a plurality of leaflets that switch between their open and close position in response to the blood flow through the heart. The leaflets are attached into a collapsible wire valve frame involving a interior stent part and a exterior wire mesh part that complement each other in many ways. The prosthetic valve comprises additional elements for its correct positioning and stabilization.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve for an endoprosthesis used in the treatment of a stenotic heart valve and/or a heart valve insufficiency. The prosthetic heart valve comprises a plurality of leaflets (3,4,5) which are able to switch between their open and close position in response to the blood flow through the heart. The leaflets are attached into a collapsible wire valve frame involving a stent part (1) and a wire mesh part (2) that complement each other in many ways. The prosthetic valve comprises additional elements (6) for its correct positioning and stabilization.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve for an endoprosthesis used in the treatment of a stenotic heart valve and/or a heart valve insufficiency. The prosthetic heart valve comprises a plurality of leaflets (3,4,5) which are able to switch between their open and close position in response to the blood flow through the heart. The leaflets are attached into a collapsible wire valve frame involving a stent part (1) and a wire mesh part (2) that complement each other in many ways. The prosthetic valve comprises additional elements (6) for its correct positioning and stabilization.

Abstract: In one embodiment, balloons are intended for use in valvuloplasty of stenosed aortic valves, with a potential use for valvuloplasty of other heart valves as well. Their common special feature is that the entire or part of their external surface is covered by a drug that is eluted at the valve tissues during the balloon brief contact with them at the time of dilatation. The drug acts against the process of restenosis, which almost uniformly occurs after some time. The shape of the balloon can be the classical cylindrical or an hour-glass shape that facilitates targeted delivery of the drug at the valve tissues. Additional balloon shapes are described for usage after valvuloplasty is carried out in order to achieve targeted drug delivery in the upper or both surfaces of the leaflets, and for prolonged contact with the valve tissues without interruption of blood circulation. An advantage of the balloons is that the local delivery of the drug will significantly reduce the likelihood of restenosis.

Abstract: Described herein are special balloons intended for use in valvuloplasty of stenosed aortic valves, with a potential use for valvuloplasty of other heart valves as well. A feature of these balloons is that the entire or part of their external surface is covered by a drug that is eluted at the valve tissues during the balloon brief contact with them at the time of dilatation. The drug acts against the process of restenosis, which almost uniformly occurs after some time. The shape of the balloon can be the classical cylindrical or an hour-glass shape that facilitates targeted delivery of the drug at the valve tissues.

Abstract: In one embodiment, balloons are intended for use in valvuloplasty of stenosed aortic valves, with a potential use for valvuloplasty of other heart valves as well. Their common special feature is that the entire or part of their external surface is covered by a drug that is eluted at the valve tissues during the balloon brief contact with them at the time of dilatation. The drug acts against the process of restenosis, which almost uniformly occurs after some time. The shape of the balloon can be the classical cylindrical or an hour-glass shape that facilitates targeted delivery of the drug at the valve tissues. Additional balloon shapes are described for usage after valvuloplasty is carried out in order to achieve targeted drug delivery in the upper or both surfaces of the leaflets, and for prolonged contact with the valve tissues without interruption of blood circulation. An advantage of the balloons is that the local delivery of the drug will significantly reduce the likelihood of restenosis.