Abstract: Quick release suture mechanisms for a suture lock assembly are disclosed herein. A quick release suture mechanism can comprise a suture anchor cap. The quick release suture mechanism is configured to be coupled to a suture and is configured to be selectively transitioned between a locked configuration, in which the quick release suture mechanism maintains the suture in a fixed position relative to the quick release dock port, and an unlocked configuration, in which the suture may be removed from the quick release dock port. A suture lock assembly can comprise a spool configured to engage a suture and a quick release suture mechanism configured to be coupled to the suture. The quick release suture mechanism comprises a quick release dock port, a suture anchor cap, and a dock port coupling mechanism configured to selectively couple the suture anchor cap to the quick release dock port.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus configured to deliver a prosthetic implant can include a handle, a first shaft extending through the handle, and a second shaft that is coaxial with the first shaft and surrounds at least a proximal end portion of the first shaft. The second shaft can include an outer shaft member positioned proximal to the handle and an inner shaft member that is axially movable relative to the outer shaft member. The second shaft can be movable between an axially extended configuration and an axially collapsed configuration. When the second shaft is in the axially extended configuration, the inner shaft member can extend into the handle. When the second shaft is in the axially collapsed configuration, the inner shaft member can be positioned proximal to the handle.

Abstract: Catheter shafts that can be used in a delivery apparatus for a prosthetic implant are disclosed. As one example, a catheter shaft can include a tube having a distal end portion comprising at least one axially extending slot, the slot extending proximally into the tube from a distal end of the tube and radially through a thickness of the tube. The catheter shaft can further include a polymeric layer comprising a jacket portion disposed around the tube, a tip portion extending distal to the jacket portion and the tube, and a channel portion disposed within the slot; and an inner liner disposed on an inner surface of the tube and an inner surface of the tip portion, where a material of the polymeric layer bonds with the inner liner.

Abstract: Suture lock assemblies with suture tensioners are disclosed herein. A suture lock assembly can comprise a suture tensioner configured to be selectively rotated to collect a length of a suture. The suture tensioner comprises a pair of spaced-apart posts and a connecting body coupled to each of the posts. A suture lock assembly also can comprise a suture tensioner, a tensioner housing, and a quick release suture mechanism. The tensioner housing at least partially receives the suture tensioner and includes a suture entry port and a suture exit port. The suture tensioner is configured to be selectively rotated relative to the tensioner housing to selectively increase a length of a suture that is enclosed by the tensioner housing. The quick release suture mechanism comprises a quick release dock port and a suture anchor cap configured to be selectively coupled to and uncoupled from the quick release dock port.

Abstract: Devices and methods for selectively directing fluid flow through lumens of a catheter in order to effectively flush and/or de-air specified lumens of the catheter are disclosed. As one example, an assembly comprises a catheter including a first shaft and a second shaft extending through the first shaft. The assembly further comprises a sealing mechanism including a first seal disposed around a distal end portion of the first shaft, a second seal disposed around a portion of the second shaft that extends distal to the first shaft, and a cavity disposed within a housing of the sealing mechanism between the first seal and the second seal. A distal end of the first shaft is disposed within the cavity and the cavity is fluidly sealed by the first seal and the second seal such that fluid from a first lumen of the first shaft cannot exit the cavity.

Abstract: A handle assembly includes a first component having a male connection portion, which includes a main body with a pin extending radially outwardly from the main body. The handle assembly also includes a second component having a female connection portion configured to receive the male connection portion. The female connection portion has an inner surface defining an inner bore, a slot extending along the inner surface, and a retaining portion connected to the slot and configured to receive the pin. The first and second components are movable between a locked configuration and a release configuration by inserting the main body into the inner bore and rotating the male connection portion relative to the female connection portion less than one revolution about an axial axis of the main body. The pin is positioned within the retaining portion in the locked configuration and within the slot in the release configuration.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing a reservoir of fluid within a handle of a guide catheter are disclosed. As one example, a delivery apparatus can include a handle including a proximal segment including one or more fluid seals mounted within the proximal segment, an intermediate segment disposed adjacent and distal to the proximal segment, the intermediate segment including an inner surface defining a first lumen having a first inner diameter, and a distal segment disposed adjacent and distal to the intermediate segment. The delivery apparatus can further include a shaft extending distally from the handle, the shaft including a second lumen extending between a distal end and a proximal end of the shaft, the second lumen including a second inner diameter that is smaller than the first inner diameter of the first lumen.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing fluid to a lumen of a guide catheter with a fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the lumen, such that pressure within the lumen is maintained at a desired level, are disclosed. As one example, a delivery apparatus can include a handle, a shaft extending within and distally from the handle and having a main lumen, and a reservoir fluidly coupled to the main lumen. The reservoir is filled with fluid and has an adjustable fluid volume, and the reservoir is configured to passively supply fluid to the main lumen based on a fluid pressure in the main lumen.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve has a plurality of valve leaflets that control directional flow of blood through a heart and a stent structure having a plurality of commissure posts supporting the valve leaflets. The stent structure has a covering over the plurality of commissure posts and has a sewing ring at an inflow end of the stent structure. Each of the plurality of commissure posts has a tip and a suture loop is attached to the covering at a location adjacent to or on the tip of the commissure post. Each suture loop provides a passage for a suture to pass through between the covering and the suture loop.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve has a plurality of valve leaflets that control directional flow of blood through a heart and a stent structure having a plurality of commissure posts supporting the valve leaflets. The stent structure has a covering over the plurality of commissure posts and has a sewing ring at an inflow end of the stent structure. Each of the plurality of commissure posts has a tip and a suture loop is attached to the covering at a location adjacent to or on the tip of the commissure post. Each suture loop provides a passage for a suture to pass through between the covering and the suture loop.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a consistent flow of fluid through lumens of a delivery apparatus are disclosed. As one example, a delivery apparatus can include an outer shaft configured to retain a prosthetic implant in a delivery configuration, an inner shaft disposed within the outer shaft and configured to interface with an end of the prosthetic implant and move axially relative to the outer shaft, and a sleeve shaft disposed within the outer shaft and configured to cover the prosthetic implant in the delivery configuration. In some examples, the inner shaft can include one or more openings defined therein that extend between an inner surface and an outer surface of the inner shaft and that are configured to fluidly couple an inner lumen of the inner shaft with a lumen disposed between the outer surface of the inner shaft and an inner surface of the sleeve shaft.

Abstract: A delivery catheter is in various embodiments configured to deliver an anchoring device to a native valve annulus of a patient's heart, where the anchoring device can better secure a prosthesis at the native annulus. The delivery catheter may include a flexible portion configured to form a spiral shape in embodiments.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve has a plurality of valve leaflets that control directional flow of blood through a heart and a stent structure having a plurality of commissure posts supporting the valve leaflets. The stent structure has a covering over the plurality of commissure posts and has a sewing ring at an inflow end of the stent structure. Each of the plurality of commissure posts has a tip and a suture loop is attached to the covering at a location adjacent to or on the tip of the commissure post. Each suture loop provides a passage for a suture to pass through between the covering and the suture loop.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve has a plurality of valve leaflets that control directional flow of blood through a heart and a stent structure having a plurality of commissure posts supporting the valve leaflets. The stent structure has a covering over the plurality of commissure posts and has a sewing ring at an inflow end of the stent structure. Each of the plurality of commissure posts has a tip and a suture loop is attached to the covering at a location adjacent to or on the tip of the commissure post. Each suture loop provides a passage for a suture to pass through between the covering and the suture loop.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve has a plurality of valve leaflets that control directional flow of blood through a heart and a stent structure having a plurality of commissure posts supporting the valve leaflets. The stent structure has a covering over the plurality of commissure posts and has a sewing ring at an inflow end of the stent structure. Each of the plurality of commissure posts has a tip and a suture loop is attached to the covering at a location adjacent to or on the tip of the commissure post. Each suture loop provides a passage for a suture to pass through between the covering and the suture loop.

Abstract: Systems, assemblies, and methods for treating valve regurgitation and other valve problems are described. Prosthetic valves can have integrated coverings or flanges. Prosthetic valves can have a flange attached to the inflow end of the annular frame and designed to extend outwardly therefrom. Docking devices can be used to repair or reshape native heart valves and to secure prosthetic heart valves at a specific location and position relative to a native heart valve. Delivery systems can be used to deploy a docking device into the heart, including a lubricous sleeve in the delivery system. Packaging and storage systems suitable for the delivery systems are described.