Abstract: A method for replacing a native heart valve includes advancing a delivery catheter having a valve prosthesis disposed along a distal end portion thereof, wherein the valve includes an inner frame having an hourglass shape and an outer sealing frame connected to and surrounding the inner frame. A valve body is mounted within the inner frame and includes a plurality of leaflets. The leaflets have longitudinal curvatures when in an open position, wherein the curvatures are shaped for conforming to the curved interior surface of the inner frame. This combination of features reduces the possibility of blood stagnating between the leaflets and inner frame, which reduces the possibility of thrombus formation.

Abstract: A hybrid heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The hybrid heart valve includes a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve member having a peripheral sealing ring and an expandable stent frame projecting from an inflow end, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. The stent frame may be plastically-expandable and may have a thin fabric layer covering its entirety as well as secondary sealing structures around its periphery to prevent paravalvular leaking. Other sealing solutions include interactive steps at the time of valve implant to establish seals around the stent and especially between the stent and the sealing ring of the valve member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an expandable replacement heart valve prosthesis. The expandable replacement heart valve prosthesis can include a number of different features, such as an hourglass (or generally hourglass) shape in the fully expanded position, anchor stiffening features, and improved retraction/retention configurations. For example, certain struts on the prosthesis can have different thicknesses/widths than other struts to improve compressibility.

Abstract: A mitral valve prosthesis includes an hourglass shaped inner frame and a bulbous outer frame. A valve body having a plurality of leaflets is positioned within an interior region of the inner frame. The leaflets are shaped to substantially conform to an interior surface of the inner frame when the leaflets are in an open position. As a result, the gap between the leaflets and the inner frame is decreased, thereby reducing the likelihood of thrombus formation. Ventricular anchors are preferably provided along a distal end of the inner frame. The anchors extend proximally for placement behind native mitral valve leaflets. A fabric skirt may extend along an inner or outer surface of the outer frame. In preferred embodiments, the fabric skirt extends distally beyond a distal end of the outer frame and is adapted for forming a seal along the mitral valve annulus.

Abstract: A mitral valve prosthesis includes an hourglass shaped inner frame and a bulbous outer frame. A valve body having a plurality of leaflets is positioned within an interior region of the inner frame. The leaflets are shaped to substantially conform to an interior surface of the inner frame when the leaflets are in an open position. As a result, the gap between the leaflets and the inner frame is decreased, thereby reducing the likelihood of thrombus formation. Ventricular anchors are preferably provided along a distal end of the inner frame. The anchors extend proximally for placement behind native mitral valve leaflets. A fabric skirt may extend along an inner or outer surface of the outer frame. In preferred embodiments, the fabric skirt extends distally beyond a distal end of the outer frame and is adapted for forming a seal along the mitral valve annulus.

Abstract: A flexible, polymer-based biosensor deployable into the arterial system which can assess shear stress in the arterial geometry in the presence of time-varying component of blood flow. Also, a method of fabricating a biosensor which may be used for in vivo procedures, involving the sequential depositing onto a substrate of a silicon dioxide layer, a metal heating element on the silicon dioxide layer, and a biocompatible polymer on the heating element, followed by etching the polymer layer to provide holes to allow for electrode contact with the heating element. A second metal layer is then deposited to form electrodes, followed by a second biocompatible polymer layer to form the device structure and removing the fabricated biosensor from the substrate by etching the substrate. In addition, a method of determining intravascular shear stress by measuring the temperature, flow rate and pressure of a bodily fluid with a biocompatible biosensor is disclosed.

Abstract: A flexible, polymer-based biosensor deployable into the arterial system which can assess shear stress in the arterial geometry in the presence of time-varying component of blood flow. Also, a method of fabricating a biosensor which may be used for in vivo procedures, involving the sequential depositing onto a substrate of a silicon dioxide layer, a metal heating element on the silicon dioxide layer, and a biocompatible polymer on the heating element, followed by etching the polymer layer to provide holes to allow for electrode contact with the heating element. A second metal layer is then deposited to form electrodes, followed by a second biocompatible polymer layer to form the device structure and removing the fabricated biosensor from the substrate by etching the substrate. In addition, a method of determining intravascular shear stress by measuring the temperature, flow rate and pressure of a bodily fluid with a biocompatible biosensor is disclosed.