Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthetic mitral valve assembly using a transapical procedure is disclosed. An incision is formed in the chest in the apex of the patient's heart. A delivery catheter containing the prosthetic mitral valve assembly is advanced over a guidewire into the patient's heart. The prosthetic mitral valve assembly is deployed from the delivery catheter into the native mitral valve. The prosthetic mitral valve assembly comprises a stent having a lower portion for placement between the leaflets of a native mitral valve and an upper portion having a flared end for placement above the annulus. The prosthetic mitral valve includes a valve portion having leaflets formed of pericardial tissue. A plurality of upwardly bent prongs are provided along an outer surface of the stent for preventing upward migration of the prosthetic mitral valve assembly after deployment.

Abstract: A quick-connect heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The heart valve includes a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable coupling stent, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A small number of guide sutures may be provided for aortic valve orientation. The prosthetic valve may be a commercially available valve with a sewing ring with the coupling stent attached thereto. The coupling stent may expand from a conical deployment shape to a conical expanded shape, and may include web-like struts connected between axially-extending posts. A system and method for deployment includes a hollow two-piece handle through which a balloon catheter passes. A valve holder is stored with the heart valve and the handle easily attaches thereto to improve valve preparation steps.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The prosthetic valve has a base stent that is deployed at a treatment site, and a valve component configured to quickly connect to the base stent. The base stent may take the form of a self- or balloon-expandable stent that expands outward against the native valve with or without leaflet excision. The valve component has a non-expandable prosthetic valve and a self- or balloon-expandable coupling stent for attachment to the base stent, thereby fixing the position of the valve component relative to the base stent. The prosthetic valve may be a commercially available valve with a sewing ring and the coupling stent attaches to the sewing ring. The system is particularly suited for rapid deployment of heart valves in a conventional open-heart surgical environment.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for implanting a prosthetic valve at the native mitral valve region of the heart, the prosthetic valve including a main body that is radially compressible to a radially compressed state and self-expandable from the compressed state to a radially expanded state. The prosthetic apparatus also comprises at least one ventricular anchor coupled to the main body and disposed outside of the main body with a leaflet-receiving space between the anchor and an outer surface of the main body to receive a native valve leaflet. Apparatus for delivering and implanting the prosthetic valve are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus for treating a deficient mitral valve include an expandable spacer configured for placement between the native leaflets of the mitral valve, the spacer anchorable to a wall of the ventricle. Methods and apparatus for delivering and implanting the prosthetic are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus for treating a deficient mitral valve include an expandable spacer configured for placement between the native leaflets of the mitral valve, the spacer anchorable to a wall of the ventricle. Methods and apparatus for delivering and implanting the prosthetic are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of prosthetic valves for implantation within a native mitral valve are provided. One embodiment of a prosthetic valve includes a radially compressible main body and a one-way valve member. In some cases, the prosthetic valves also include ventricular anchors and/or an atrial portion coupled to and disposed outside of the main body. Methods, devices, and systems for delivering such prosthetic valves to the native mitral valve and implanting them therein are also provided.

Abstract: A clip for securing suture to tissue includes a generally tubular body, with at least one bend area along the length of the generally tubular body and one or more tabs cut from the wall of the generally tubular body. The clip in the open configuration is generally straight along the length of the generally tubular body, and the tabs are in general alignment with the tab out wall. The tab in a closed configuration assumes a shape having at least one bend along its length, and the tabs are bent or otherwise positioned to extend into and at least partially obstruct the inner lumen. The clip can be formed from memory material such as nitinol, and the clip may be biased toward its closed configuration.

Abstract: A quick-connect heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted is provided. The heart valve includes a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable coupling stent, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A small number of guide sutures may be provided for aortic valve orientation. The prosthetic valve may be a commercially available valve with a sewing ring with the coupling stent attached thereto. The coupling stent may expand from a conical deployment shape to a conical expanded shape, and may include web-like struts connected between axially-extending posts. A system and method for deployment includes a hollow two-piece handle through which a balloon catheter passes. A valve holder is stored with the heart valve and the handle easily attaches thereto to improve valve preparation steps.

Abstract: A system for expanding a device in a conduit or orifice of a human body includes an expansion device that is movable from a first configuration to a second configuration. External surfaces of the expansion device can collectively have a non-cylindrical cross-section relative to a main axis of the expansion device, such that the external surfaces of the expansion device generally conform to the anatomical shape of the conduit or orifice when the expansion device is in the second configuration.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains generally to prosthetic devices and related methods for helping to seal native heart valves and prevent or reduce regurgitation therethrough, as well as devices and related methods for implanting such prosthetic devices. In some cases, a spacer having a single anchor can be implanted within a native heart valve. In some cases, a spacer having dual anchors can be implanted within a native heart valve. In some cases, devices can be used to extend the effective length of a native heart valve leaflet.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains generally to prosthetic devices and related methods for helping to seal native heart valves and prevent or reduce regurgitation therethrough, as well as devices and related methods for implanting such prosthetic devices. In some cases, a spacer having a single anchor can be implanted within a native heart valve. In some cases, a spacer having dual anchors can be implanted within a native heart valve. In some cases, devices can be used to extend the effective length of a native heart valve leaflet.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains generally to prosthetic devices and related methods for helping to seal native heart valves and prevent or reduce regurgitation therethrough, as well as devices and related methods for implanting such prosthetic devices. In some cases, a spacer having a single anchor can be implanted within a native heart valve. In some cases, a spacer having dual anchors can be implanted within a native heart valve. In some cases, devices can be used to extend the effective length of a native heart valve leaflet.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus for treating a deficient mitral valve include an expandable spacer configured for placement between the native leaflets of the mitral valve, the spacer anchorable to a wall of the ventricle. Methods and apparatus for delivering and implanting the prosthetic are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for implanting a prosthetic valve at the native mitral valve region of the heart, the prosthetic valve including a main body that is radially compressible to a radially compressed state and self-expandable from the compressed state to a radially expanded state. The prosthetic apparatus also comprises at least one ventricular anchor coupled to the main body and disposed outside of the main body with a leaflet-receiving space between the anchor and an outer surface of the main body to receive a native valve leaflet. Apparatus for delivering and implanting the prosthetic valve are also described.

Abstract: A system for expanding a device in a conduit or orifice of a human body includes an expansion device that is movable from a first configuration to a second configuration. External surfaces of the expansion device can collectively have a non-cylindrical cross-section relative to a main axis of the expansion device, such that the external surfaces of the expansion device generally conform to the anatomical shape of the conduit or orifice when the expansion device is in the second configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments of prosthetics configured for implanting in at the native mitral valve region of the heart include a main body that is radially compressible to a radially compressed state and self-expandable from the compressed state to a radially expanded state. The prosthetic apparatus also comprises at least one ventricular anchor coupled to the main body and disposed outside of the main body with a leaflet-receiving space between the anchor and an outer surface of the main body to receive a native valve leaflet. Methods and apparatus for delivering and implanting the prosthetic valve are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of prosthetic valves for implantation within a native mitral valve are provided. A preferred embodiment of a prosthetic valve includes a radially compressible main body and a one-way valve portion. The prosthetic valve further comprises at least one ventricular anchor coupled to the main body and disposed outside of the main body. A space is provided between an outer surface of the main body and the ventricular anchor for receiving a native mitral valve leaflet. The prosthetic valve preferably includes an atrial sealing member adapted for placement above the annulus of the mitral valve. Methods and devices for delivering and implanting the prosthetic valve are also described.

Abstract: A quick-connect heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The heart valve includes a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable coupling stent, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A small number of guide sutures may be provided for aortic valve orientation. The prosthetic valve may be a commercially available valve with a sewing ring with the coupling stent attached thereto. The coupling stent may expand from a conical deployment shape to a conical expanded shape, and may include web-like struts connected between axially-extending posts. A system and method for deployment includes a hollow two-piece handle through which a balloon catheter passes. A valve holder is stored with the heart valve and the handle easily attaches thereto to improve valve preparation steps.

Abstract: Embodiments of prosthetics configured for implanting in at the native mitral valve region of the heart include a main body that is radially compressible to a radially compressed state and self-expandable from the compressed state to a radially expanded state. The prosthetic apparatus also comprises at least one ventricular anchor coupled to the main body and disposed outside of the main body with a leaflet-receiving space between the anchor and an outer surface of the main body to receive a native valve leaflet. Methods and apparatus for delivering and implanting the prosthetic valve are also described.