Abstract: Improved sizers and markers include a cylindrical section and a handle extending from the cylindrical section. The cylindrical section has a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of an aortic heart valve prosthesis. The cylindrical section can include a marking element configured to mark tissue at fixed positions relative to the cylindrical section. Marking can be performed with a variety of techniques.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a flow system includes a medical device mount, fluid and a conduit containing the fluid and medical device mount. The conduit is mounted on an assembly that moves the conduit along with the medical device mount to induce relative motion of the fluid relative to the medical device mount. In preferred embodiments, pulsatile fluid motion is generated. In some embodiments, the fluid includes viable cells. In alternative embodiments, a flow system includes a continuous flow pump connected to a conduit loop having multiple branch conduits downstream from the pump providing alternative paths over a section of the conduit loop. Each branch conduit has a valve controlling flow through the branch. In some embodiments, at least one branch includes a medical device mount.

Abstract: Improved sizers and markers include a cylindrical section and a handle extending from the cylindrical section. The cylindrical section has a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of an aortic heart valve prosthesis. The cylindrical section can include a marking element configured to mark tissue at fixed positions relative to the cylindrical section. Marking can be performed with a variety of techniques.

Abstract: Improved sizers and markers include a cylindrical section and a handle extending from the cylindrical section. The cylindrical section has a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of an aortic heart valve prosthesis. The cylindrical section can include a marking element configured to mark tissue at fixed positions relative to the cylindrical section. Marking can be performed with a variety of techniques.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for processing tissue by inoculating the tissue with a solution having microorganisms, where the microorganisms are selected to produce compounds that process the tissue. The tissue is incubated with the inoculated microorganisms under conditions that are effective for processing the tissue by the chemicals produced by the microorganisms. The tissue maybe subsequently treated to substantially remove or inactivate the microorganisms.

Abstract: Tissue is crosslinked with compositions that include bridges. In some embodiments, the tissue includes linkers that bond to the tissue and bridges that connect two or more of the linkers. In other embodiments, bridges connect two or more modified sites in a modified tissue. The use of bridges in the crosslinking methods more readily forms crosslinks, particularly between different polypeptides in the tissue. The use of bridges can allow for greater modulation of the degree of crosslinking of a tissue.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a flow system includes a medical device mount, fluid and a conduit containing the fluid and medical device mount. The conduit is mounted on an assembly that moves the conduit along with the medical device mount to induce relative motion of the fluid relative to the medical device mount. In preferred embodiments, pulsatile fluid motion is generated. In some embodiments, the fluid includes viable cells. In alternative embodiments, a flow system includes a continuous flow pump connected to a conduit loop having multiple branch conduits downstream from the pump providing alternative paths over a section of the conduit loop. Each branch conduit has a valve controlling flow through the branch. In some embodiments, at least one branch includes a medical device mount.

Abstract: A variety of new ways can be used for associating antimicrobial elemental metal with a medical article. The associated antimicrobial metal reduces the risk of infection associated with the medical use of the medical article. New medical articles are produced by some of these new approaches. Some of the methods involve ways of adjusting the dissociation rate of associated elemental metal such that desired degrees of antimicrobial activity can be achieved over selected periods of time.

Abstract: A variety of new ways can be used for associating antimicrobial elemental metal with a medical article. The associated antimicrobial metal reduces the risk of infection associated with the medical use of the medical article. New medical articles are produced by some of these new approaches. Some of the methods involve ways of adjusting the dissociation rate of associated elemental metal such that desired degrees of antimicrobial activity can be achieved over selected periods of time.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for processing tissue by inoculating the tissue with a solution having microorganisms, where the microorganisms are selected to produce compounds that process the tissue. The tissue is incubated with the inoculated microorganisms under conditions that are effective for processing the tissue by the chemicals produced by the microorganisms. The tissue may be subsequently treated to substantially remove or inactivate the microorganisms.

Abstract: A stent for receiving and supporting a tissue heart valve for ultimate implantation into a human, the heart valve including tissue leaflets joined at circumferentially spaced commissures, wherein the stent includes at least one commissure support post and at least one sinus support structure each sinus support structure being disposed between but not functionally connected to an adjacent commissure support post.

Abstract: The present invention includes a prosthetic heart valve having a stent and a piece of biocompatible material. The stent includes an inflow ring and a plurality of posts, each post extending from the ring to a post tip. The piece of material extends over the stent and substantially conforms to a profile of the stent. The piece of material includes a portion which extends adjacent a post tip. A clip is provided which has a shape generally conforming to the post tip to thereby clamp the portion of the piece of material to the post tip.

Abstract: This invention relates to bioprosthetic heart valve stents that are fashioned of bioresorbable materials. Such stents may be configured as sheaths or frames contoured to the shape of a valvular graft. The stents are eventually resorbed by the patent, leaving a functional "stentless" valve with improved hemodynamic characteristics compared to stented valve implants.

Abstract: This invention relates to bioprosthetic heart valve stents that are fashioned of bioresorbable materials. Such stents may be configured as sheaths or frames contoured to the shape of a valvular graft. The stents are eventually resorbed by the patient, leaving a functional "stentless" valve with improved hemodynamic characteristics compared to stented valve implants.

Abstract: A stent for receiving and supporting a tissue heart valve for ultimate implantation into a human, the heart valve including tissue leaflets joined at circumferentially spaced commissures, wherein the stent includes at least one commissure support post and at least one sinus support structure each sinus support structure being disposed between but not functionally connected to an adjacent commissure support post.