Abstract: Prosthetic heart valve assemblies and methods, apparatus, and systems used to deliver a prosthetic heart valve assembly. A prosthetic heart valve assembly includes an inner frame, a prosthetic leaflet section disposed within the inner frame extending between in inflow row of cells and an outflow row of cells of the inner frame, and an outer support stent. The inner frame is disposed within the outer support stent, and the outer support stent is coupled and/or fastened to the inner frame. The outer support stent includes a plurality leaflet capturing arms for capturing native leaflets between the leaflet capturing arms and a portion of the prosthetic heart valve assembly when the prosthetic heart valve assembly is implanted in a native valve. For example, the native leaflets can be frictionally secured between the leaflet capturing arms of the support stent and the inner frame.

Abstract: Prosthetic heart valve assemblies and methods, apparatus, and systems used to deliver a prosthetic heart valve assembly. A prosthetic heart valve assembly includes an inner frame, a prosthetic leaflet section disposed within the inner frame extending between in inflow row of cells and an outflow row of cells of the inner frame, and an outer support stent. The inner frame is disposed within the outer support stent, and the outer support stent is coupled and/or fastened to the inner frame. The outer support stent includes a plurality leaflet capturing arms for capturing native leaflets between the leaflet capturing arms and a portion of the prosthetic heart valve assembly when the prosthetic heart valve assembly is implanted in a native valve. For example, the native leaflets can be frictionally secured between the leaflet capturing arms of the support stent and the inner frame.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems used to deliver a prosthetic heart valve to a deficient valve. In one embodiment, for instance, a support structure and an expandable prosthetic valve are advanced through the aortic arch of a patient using a delivery system. The support structure is delivered to a position on or adjacent to the surface of the outflow side of the aortic valve (the support structure defining a support-structure interior). The expandable prosthetic valve is delivered into the aortic valve and into the support-structure interior. The expandable prosthetic heart valve is expanded while the expandable prosthetic heart valve is in the support-structure interior and while the support structure is at the position on or adjacent to the surface of the outflow side of the aortic valve, thereby causing one or more native leaflets of the aortic valve to be frictionally secured between the support structure and the expanded prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems used to deliver a prosthetic heart valve assembly. In embodiments, a prosthetic heart valve assembly, including a self-expandable support structure and a self-expanding heart valve, are advanced through the aortic arch of a patient using a delivery system. The support structure, which includes a plurality leaflet retaining arms, is at least partially expanded and positioned on or adjacent to the outflow side of the aortic valve. The prosthetic heart valve is positioned in the aortic valve. The prosthetic heart valve is expanded while it is within an interior of the support structure and while the support structure is positioned on or adjacent to the outflow side of the aortic valve, thereby causing one or more native leaflets of the aortic valve to be frictionally secured between the arms of the support structure and the expanded prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: A valve repair device includes a pair of anchors and at least one leak inhibitor. The device can also include a spacer or coaptation element. The pair of anchors can be coupled to the spacer or coaptation element. The pair of anchors are movable between an open position and a closed position and are configured to attach the valve repair device to the native valve of the patient. The at least one leak inhibitor extends between the pair of anchors and is configured to inhibit retrograde blood flow through the device, for example, between one or more openings between leaflet portions that are in the anchors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems used to deliver a prosthetic heart valve assembly. In embodiments, a prosthetic heart valve assembly, including a self-expandable support structure and a self-expanding heart valve, are advanced through the aortic arch of a patient using a delivery system. The support structure, which includes a plurality leaflet retaining arms, is at least partially expanded and positioned on or adjacent to the outflow side of the aortic valve. The prosthetic heart valve is positioned in the aortic valve. The prosthetic heart valve is expanded while it is within an interior of the support structure and while the support structure is positioned on or adjacent to the outflow side of the aortic valve, thereby causing one or more native leaflets of the aortic valve to be frictionally secured between the arms of the support structure and the expanded prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: Devices for anchoring catheter systems, such as an atrioventricular heart valve regurgitation reduction system with a coapting element or spacer positioned within the atrioventricular valve leaflets. The spacer may be anchored above the atrioventricular valve with a rail that extends up into the subclavian vein, with tethers that attach to anchors around the annulus, or with a tether that connects to a stent expanded within an adjacent blood flow passage. The spacer may also be anchored below the atrioventricular valve with a rail that terminates in a tissue anchor within the ventricle, with tethers that attach to anchors around ventricle, or with a tether that connects to a stent expanded within an adjacent blood flow passage. The spacer may also be stabilized by a harness extending across the valve annulus or may be self-anchoring with an array of struts that extend into contact with the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems used to deliver a prosthetic heart valve to a deficient valve. In one embodiment, for instance, a support structure and an expandable prosthetic valve are advanced through the aortic arch of a patient using a delivery system. The support structure is delivered to a position on or adjacent to the surface of the outflow side of the aortic valve (the support structure defining a support-structure interior). The expandable prosthetic valve is delivered into the aortic valve and into the support-structure interior. The expandable prosthetic heart valve is expanded while the expandable prosthetic heart valve is in the support-structure interior and while the support structure is at the position on or adjacent to the surface of the outflow side of the aortic valve, thereby causing one or more native leaflets of the aortic valve to be frictionally secured between the support structure and the expanded prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: Representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems used to deliver a prosthetic heart valve to a deficient valve are disclosed. In one embodiment, for instance, a support structure and an expandable prosthetic valve are delivered to a position on or adjacent to the surface of the outflow side of the aortic valve (the support structure defining a support-structure interior) via a delivery system. The expandable prosthetic valve is delivered into the aortic valve and into the support-structure interior. The expandable, prosthetic heart valve is expanded while the expandable prosthetic heart valve is in the support-structure interior and while the support structure is at the position on or adjacent to the surface of the outflow side of the aortic valve, thereby causing one or more native leaflets of the aortic valve to be frictionally secured between the support structure and the expanded prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve assembly includes an annular frame having an inner radial surface, an outer radial surface, and defining an inner lumen. The prosthetic valve assembly further includes a leaflet assembly including at least one leaflet having an inner radial surface and an outer radial surface. The at least one leaflet is disposed at least partially within the inner lumen of the annular frame. The prosthetic valve assembly includes a crimping accessory device having a handle and at least one shielding member removably disposed between the outer radial surface of the at least one leaflet and the inner radial surface of the annular frame. The at least one shielding member is configured to reduce physical contact between the at least one leaflet and the inner radial surface of the annular frame.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus, and a method for crimping expandable stents or prosthetic valves having a radially expandable and compressible annular body and one or more protruding anchors extending from the body using the apparatus, where the apparatus comprise a housing, a plurality of circumferentially arranged nesting jaws, and an actuator configured to move the jaws radially inwardly to reduce the size of the crimping aperture, thereby radially compressing the annular body of the prosthetic valve or stent. In particular embodiments, a selected set of the jaws, each having a front side and a recessed portion in its front side adjacent to its inner end. The recessed portions of the selected jaws collectively are sized and shaped to receive the one or more anchors of the prosthetic valve when the annular body is positioned within the crimping aperture.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems used to deliver a prosthetic heart valve to a deficient valve. In one embodiment, for instance, a support structure and an expandable prosthetic valve are advanced through the aortic arch of a patient using a delivery system. The support structure is delivered to a position on or adjacent to the surface of the outflow side of the aortic valve (the support structure defining a support-structure interior). The expandable prosthetic valve is delivered into the aortic valve and into the support-structure interior. The expandable prosthetic heart valve is expanded while the expandable prosthetic heart valve is in the support-structure interior and while the support structure is at the position on or adjacent to the surface of the outflow side of the aortic valve, thereby causing one or more native leaflets of the aortic valve to be frictionally secured between the support structure and the expanded prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve assembly includes an annular frame having an inner radial surface, an outer radial surface, and defining an inner lumen. The prosthetic valve assembly further includes a leaflet assembly including at least one leaflet having an inner radial surface and an outer radial surface. The at least one leaflet is disposed at least partially within the inner lumen of the annular frame. The prosthetic valve assembly includes a crimping accessory device having a handle and at least one shielding member removably disposed between the outer radial surface of the at least one leaflet and the inner radial surface of the annular frame. The at least one shielding member is configured to reduce physical contact between the at least one leaflet and the inner radial surface of the annular frame.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus, and a method for crimping expandable stents or prosthetic valves having a radially expandable and compressible annular body and one or more protruding anchors extending from the body using the apparatus, where the apparatus comprise a housing, a plurality of circumferentially arranged nesting jaws, and an actuator configured to move the jaws radially inwardly to reduce the size of the crimping aperture, thereby radially compressing the annular body of the prosthetic valve or stent. In particular embodiments, a selected set of the jaws, each having a front side and a recessed portion in its front side adjacent to its inner end. The recessed portions of the selected jaws collectively are sized and shaped to receive the one or more anchors of the prosthetic valve when the annular body is positioned within the crimping aperture.

Abstract: An improved medical implant for treating mitral regurgitation is provided. The medical implant comprises proximal and distal anchors connected by a bridge. The medical implant is configured to be delivered into a coronary sinus using a minimially invasive procedure. The bridge is preferably made of a shape memory material which is biased to contract after the implant is delivered. The medical implant further comprises a reinforcement mechanism configured to limit stresses and strains along the length of the bridge. In a preferred embodiment, the reinforcement mechanism is fixed to a plurality of attachment points along the bridge, thereby preventing excessive elongation between any two attachment points. A resorbable material is preferably disposed within gaps along the length of the bridge to temporarily maintain the bridge in an elongated condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for sodding onto the inner lumenal surface of a synthetic graft of harvested and concentrated microvessel endothelial cells from liposuctioned fat tissues, which harvested cells are formed into a "pellet" of isolated endothelial cells in loose aggregations, includes a sodding tube having a single rigid outer wall bounding a sodding chamber. A filter pack assembly is provided to communicate the pellet of cells from a processing vessel to the graft. This filter pack assembly includes a series of successively finer filter members cooperatively defining a series of turbulent-flow chambers in which aggregations of cells too large to pass through a particular filter are exposed to liquid flow turbulence which is effective to break up the aggregations.

Abstract: The activities of chymopapain or papain in enzyme mixtures are inhibited by the addition of glycogen, hyaluronic acid, or desulfated heparin. The process for isolating viable hepatocytes or pancreatic cells by treatment with papain or chymopapain is improved by terminating the treatment by inhibiting the reaction with these polysaccharides. Similarly, the process for removing undesired tissue by treatment with papain or chymopapain is improved by terminating the treatment by inhibiting the reaction with these polysaccharides.

Abstract: A processing vessel for isolating microvessel endothelial cells from liposuctioned fat tissues includes a fat-receiving basket defined by polyester screen material. Fat tissue removed from a patient by liposuction is received into the basket and is rinsed and digested with an enzymatic solution. The freed microvessel endothelial cells from the fat tissues are separated from the fat cells, and from blood cells and other materials which may be present in the basket by centrifuging. A bottom chamber of the processing vessel is configured to define a "pellet" of isolated endothelial cells which may be removed from the processing vessel for deposition on the inner lumenal surface of a synthetic graft which the fat-donor patient is to receive.