Abstract: The invention is a prosthetic heart valve, and associated methods therefore, configured to replace a native heart valve, and having a support frame configured to be reshaped into an expanded form in order to receive and/or support an expandable prosthetic heart valve therein. The prosthetic heart valve may be configured to have a generally rigid and/or expansion-resistant configuration when initially implanted to replace a native valve (or other prosthetic heart valve), but to assume a generally non-rigid and/or expanded/expandable form when subjected to an outward force such as that provided by a dilation balloon.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for preparing, maintaining, and stabilizing sensors. The apparatus and methods for preparing sensors for use are utilized in advance of the sensor being removed from a sealed, sterilized package. The apparatus include packaging materials having electrical circuits capable of stabilizing a sensor to prepare the sensor for use. The methods for preparing a sensor for use includes methods of providing a solution to a sterilized packaging that contains a sensor connected to a sensor activating circuit, activating the circuit, and allowing the sensor to stabilize. These methods can be performed without compromising the packaging. The apparatus for stabilizing a sensor that is in use include a circuit connectable to the sensor that provides a signal to the sensor that prevents the sensor from becoming destabilized when disconnected from a monitoring device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for preparing, maintaining, and stabilizing sensors. The apparatus and methods for preparing sensors for use are utilized in advance of the sensor being removed from a sealed, sterilized package. The apparatus include packaging materials having electrical circuits capable of stabilizing a sensor to prepare the sensor for use. The methods for preparing a sensor for use includes methods of providing a solution to a sterilized packaging that contains a sensor connected to a sensor activating circuit, activating the circuit, and allowing the sensor to stabilize. These methods can be performed without compromising the packaging. The apparatus for stabilizing a sensor that is in use include a circuit connectable to the sensor that provides a signal to the sensor that prevents the sensor from becoming destabilized when disconnected from a monitoring device.

Abstract: The invention is an annuloplasty ring, and associated methods therefore, configured to reshape a native heart valve annulus to correct heart valve function, and also configured to be reshaped into a generally circular form in order to receive and/or support a prosthetic heart valve. The annuloplasty ring may be configured to have a generally D-shaped configuration when initially implanted to correct native valve function, but to assume a generally circular form when subjected to an outward force such as that provided by a dilation balloon.

Abstract: The invention is an annuloplasty ring, and associated methods therefore, configured to reshape a native heart valve annulus to correct heart valve function, and also configured to be reshaped into a generally circular form in order to receive and/or support a prosthetic heart valve. The annuloplasty ring may be configured to have a generally D-shaped configuration when initially implanted to correct native valve function, but to assume a generally circular form when subjected to an outward force such as that provided by a dilation balloon.

Abstract: The invention is a prosthetic heart valve, and associated methods therefore, configured to replace a native heart valve, and having a support frame configured to be reshaped into an expanded form in order to receive and/or support an expandable prosthetic heart valve therein. The prosthetic heart valve may be configured to have a generally rigid and/or expansion-resistant configuration when initially implanted to replace a native valve (or other prosthetic heart valve), but to assume a generally non-rigid and/or expanded/expandable form when subjected to an outward force such as that provided by a dilation balloon.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for preparing, maintaining, and stabilizing sensors. The apparatus and methods for preparing sensors for use are utilized in advance of the sensor being removed from a sealed, sterilized package. The apparatus include packaging materials having electrical circuits capable of stabilizing a sensor to prepare the sensor for use. The methods for preparing a sensor for use includes methods of providing a solution to a sterilized packaging that contains a sensor connected to a sensor activating circuit, activating the circuit, and allowing the sensor to stabilize. These methods can be performed without compromising the packaging. The apparatus for stabilizing a sensor that is in use include a circuit connectable to the sensor that provides a signal to the sensor that prevents the sensor from becoming destabilized when disconnected from a monitoring device.

Abstract: An access device such as a catheter, or introducer, or any combination of the above is provided. Within the access device is at least one lumen, channel or instrument that carries or itself is a thermally active mass, such as infusion fluids, control wires, etc. A temperature sensor such as a thermistor is secured to the access device in order to measure the temperature of a temperature medium, typically blood, in a patient. Various insulating lumens, insulating members and mounting and extrusion configurations are provided by the invention to insulate the temperature sensor thermally from the thermal mass, which might otherwise degrade the accuracy of the temperature measurement. The invention also provides an arrangement whereby the temperature sensor is connected to an external monitor for display of the patient's temperature.

Abstract: An access device such as a catheter, or introducer, or any combination of the above is provided. Within the access device is at least one lumen, channel or instrument that carries or itself is a thermally active mass, such as infusion fluids, control wires, etc. A temperature sensor such as a thermistor is secured to the access device in order to measure the temperature of a temperature medium, typically blood, in a patient. Various insulating lumens, insulating members and mounting and extrusion configurations are provided by the invention to insulate the temperature sensor thermally from the thermal mass, which might otherwise degrade the accuracy of the temperature measurement. The invention also provides an arrangement whereby the temperature sensor is connected to an external monitor for display of the patient's temperature.

Abstract: An access device such as a catheter, or introducer, or any combination of the above is provided. Within the access device is at least one lumen, channel or instrument that carries or itself is a thermally active mass, such as infusion fluids, control wires, etc. A temperature sensor such as a thermistor is secured to the access device in order to measure the temperature of a temperature medium, typically blood; in a patient. Various insulating lumens, insulating members and mounting and extrusion configurations are provided by the invention to insulate the temperature sensor thermally from the thermal mass, which might otherwise degrade the accuracy of the temperature measurement. The invention also provides an arrangement whereby the temperature sensor is connected to an external monitor for display of the patient's temperature.