Abstract: In certain embodiments, a multiple component heart valve prosthesis includes an abutment ring and a removable bioprosthetic heart valve. The abutment ring is configured for attachment at a heart valve annulus location and includes a locking system. The removable bioprosthetic heart valve includes a valve frame and at least one locking feature. The at least one locking feature is configured to be received by the locking system. The bioprosthetic heart valve can be rotated relative to the abutment ring such that the at least one locking feature transitions from a disengaged position to a first engaged position. When in the disengaged position the bioprosthetic heart valve may be removed from the abutment ring, and when rotated to the engaged position the bioprosthetic heart valve is restrained from axial movement relative to the abutment ring.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for collapsing and loading a prosthetic device for delivery to a patient. The collapsing and loading systems described herein may facilitate more efficient and consistent positioning of a prosthetic device with respect to a collapser system and a corresponding delivery system. For example, the system may include a collapser system having a base and a collapser movably coupled to the base. The collapser defines an orifice sized and shaped to receive a prosthetic device (e.g., a prosthetic heart valve) in a first position and may be moved relative to the base to a second position for loading and collapsing the prosthetic device onto a delivery system.

Abstract: A bendable medical instrument including: a handle at a proximal end of the bendable medical instrument, a modular distal shaft including a plurality of vertebrae configured to bend and situated near a distal end of the bendable medical instrument, a bendable internal rod disposed through at least some of the plurality of vertebrae, the bendable internal rod having a modular cell structure, and a distal tip coupled to the modular distal shaft at the distal end. The plurality of vertebrae configured to bend to position the distal tip in a patient and the bendable internal rod configured to bend with the plurality of vertebrae.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an implantation accessory for placement at a heart valve annulus location of a patients heart, the annulus having a first axis, the implantation accessory comprising: a first surface; a second axis perpendicular to the first surface; and, a maneuvering system for aligning the first axis and the second axis. In certain embodiments, a removable bioprosthetic heart valve assembly for implantation into an abutment ring attached at a heart valve annulus location of a patients heart, the abutment ring having a first axis, the removable bioprosthetic heart valve assembly includes a bioprosthetic valve for coupling to the abutment ring and a holder. The holder, detachably coupled to the bioprosthetic valve, includes a first surface, a second axis perpendicular to the first surface, and a maneuvering system for aligning the first axis and the second axis. Methods of implantation are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a holder (1) for a heart valve prosthesis (100) including a radially contractible armature (102) and a prosthetic valve carried by said armature (102). The holder (1) includes an annular member (2) having a longitudinal axis (xl) and comprising a plurality of supporting formations (3), said supporting formations (3) protruding radially inwardly of said annular member (2), and a locking member (4) configured for coupling with said annular member (2). Each supporting formation (3) includes a coupling profile or feature (9) configured for engaging the armature (102) of a heart valve prosthesis (100). The coupling profile or feature (9) being configured to prevent the displacement of the armature (102) along said longitudinal axis and being configured to prevent rotation of the armature (102) around the longitudinal axis (X1), while leaving the armature (102) unconstrained in a radially inward direction.

Abstract: A cardiac valve prosthesis including an armature for anchorage of the valve prosthesis at an implantation site. The armature defining a lumen for the passage of the blood flow and having a longitudinal axis, and a set of prosthetic valve leaflets supported by said armature and configured to move, under the action of blood flow, in a radially divaricated condition to enable the flow of blood through said lumen in a first direction, and in a radially contracted condition, in which said valve leaflets co-operate with one another and block the flow of blood through the prosthesis in the direction opposite said first direction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a loading system (1) for implantable prostheses, specifically heart valve prostheses. The loading system (1) may be pre-mounted in a storage container (J) filled with a preservation solution with the prosthesis attached thereto, and may provide one or more deployment elements of a delivery instrument as receivers (4, 33) for the loading of the prosthesis (2).

Abstract: A cardiac valve prosthesis including an armature for anchorage of the valve prosthesis at an implantation site. The armature defining a lumen for the passage of the blood flow and having a longitudinal axis, and a set of prosthetic valve leaflets supported by said armature and configured to move, under the action of blood flow, in a radially divaricated condition to enable the flow of blood through said lumen in a first direction, and in a radially contracted condition, in which said valve leaflets co-operate with one another and block the flow of blood through the prosthesis in the direction opposite said first direction.

Abstract: A cardiac valve prosthesis including an armature for anchorage of the valve prosthesis at an implantation site. The armature defining a lumen for the passage of the blood flow and having a longitudinal axis, and a set of prosthetic valve leaflets supported by said armature and configured to move, under the action of blood flow, in a radially divaricated condition to enable the flow of blood through said lumen in a first direction, and in a radially contracted condition, in which said valve leaflets co-operate with one another and block the flow of blood through the prosthesis in the direction opposite said first direction.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a multiple component heart valve prosthesis includes an abutment ring and a removable bioprosthetic heart valve. The abutment ring is configured for attachment at a heart valve annulus location and includes a locking system. The removable bioprosthetic heart valve includes a valve frame and at least one locking feature. The at least one locking feature is configured to be received by the locking system. The bioprosthetic heart valve can be rotated relative to the abutment ring such that the at least one locking feature transitions from a disengaged position to a first engaged position. When in the disengaged position the bioprosthetic heart valve may be removed from the abutment ring, and when rotated to the engaged position the bioprosthetic heart valve is restrained from axial movement relative to the abutment ring.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a multiple component heart valve prosthesis includes an abutment ring and a removable bioprosthetic heart valve. The abutment ring is configured for attachment at a heart valve annulus location and includes a locking system. The removable bioprosthetic heart valve includes a valve frame and at least one locking feature. The at least one locking feature is configured to be received by the locking system. The bioprosthetic heart valve can be rotated relative to the abutment ring such that the at least one locking feature transitions from a disengaged position to a first engaged position. When in the disengaged position the bioprosthetic heart valve may be removed from the abutment ring, and when rotated to the engaged position the bioprosthetic heart valve is restrained from axial movement relative to the abutment ring.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a deployment instrument including: a shaft (2) having a longitudinal axis (X1); a handle (3) at a first end of the shaft (2); and a carrier portion (4) at a second end of the shaft (2). The carrier portion(4) is configured for holding an expandable heart valve prosthesis in a radially collapsed condition for delivery to the implantation site. The carrier portion (4) includes a hub (5) fixed to the handle (3) via the shaft (2), a first deployment element (6) and a second deployment element (7), each of said first deployment element (6) and second deployment element (7) configured to hold a corresponding portion of an expandable heart valve prosthesis in a radially collapsed condition. A drive member (8) is provided which is configured to operate the first deployment element (6) and the second deployment element (7) in first and second opposite directions.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an implantation accessory for placement at a heart valve annulus location of a patients heart, the annulus having a first axis, the implantation accessory comprising: a first surface; a second axis perpendicular to the first surface; and, a maneuvering system for aligning the first axis and the second axis. In certain embodiments, a removable bioprosthetic heart valve assembly for implantation into an abutment ring attached at a heart valve annulus location of a patients heart, the abutment ring having a first axis, the removable bioprosthetic heart valve assembly includes a bioprosthetic valve for coupling to the abutment ring and a holder. The holder, detachably coupled to the bioprosthetic valve, includes a first surface, a second axis perpendicular to the first surface, and a maneuvering system for aligning the first axis and the second axis. Methods of implantation are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cardiac valve prosthesis including an armature for anchorage of the valve prosthesis at an implantation site. The armature defining a lumen for the passage of the blood flow and having a longitudinal axis, and a set of prosthetic valve leaflets supported by said armature and configured to move, under the action of blood flow, in a radially divaricated condition to enable the flow of blood through said lumen in a first direction, and in a radially contracted condition, in which said valve leaflets co-operate with one another and block the flow of blood through the prosthesis in the direction opposite said first direction.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a holder (1) for a heart valve prosthesis (100) including a radially contractible armature (102) and a prosthetic valve carried by said armature (102). The holder (1) includes an annular member (2) having a longitudinal axis (xl) and comprising a plurality of supporting formations (3), said supporting formations (3) protruding radially inwardly of said annular member (2), and a locking member (4) configured for coupling with said annular member (2). Each supporting formation (3) includes a coupling profile or feature (9) configured for engaging the armature (102) of a heart valve prosthesis (100). The coupling profile or feature (9) being configured to prevent the displacement of the armature (102) along said longitudinal axis and being configured to prevent rotation of the armature (102) around the longitudinal axis (X1), while leaving the armature (102) unconstrained in a radially inward direction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a loading system (1) for implantable prostheses, specifically heart valve prostheses. The loading system (1) may be pre-mounted in a storage container (J) filled with a preservation solution with the prosthesis attached thereto, and may provide one or more deployment elements of a delivery instrument as receivers (4, 33) for the loading of the prosthesis (2).

Abstract: A bendable medical instrument including: a handle at a proximal end of the bendable medical instrument, a modular distal shaft including a plurality of vertebrae configured to bend and situated near a distal end of the bendable medical instrument, a bendable internal rod disposed through at least some of the plurality of vertebrae, the bendable internal rod having a modular cell structure, and a distal tip coupled to the modular distal shaft at the distal end. The plurality of vertebrae configured to bend to position the distal tip in a patient and the bendable internal rod configured to bend with the plurality of vertebrae.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a multiple component heart valve prosthesis includes an abutment ring and a removable bioprosthetic heart valve. The abutment ring is configured for attachment at a heart valve annulus location and includes a locking system. The removable bioprosthetic heart valve includes a valve frame and at least one locking feature. The at least one locking feature is configured to be received by the locking system. The bioprosthetic heart valve can be rotated relative to the abutment ring such that the at least one locking feature transitions from a disengaged position to a first engaged position. When in the disengaged position the bioprosthetic heart valve may be removed from the abutment ring, and when rotated to the engaged position the bioprosthetic heart valve is restrained from axial movement relative to the abutment ring.

Abstract: An implant device (V), such as a heart valve, for implantation in an animal body includes an annular structure and one or more elongated anchoring members deployable to a deployed condition for insertion into an animal body. The anchoring members are retractable from the deployed condition to a rolled up condition wherein the anchoring members protrude radially out from the annular structure of the device (V) to provide anchoring to a body structure (AS) of an animal. In the rolled up condition the anchoring members at least partly protrude axially of the annular structure of the device (V).

Abstract: An implant device (V), such as a heart valve, for implantation in an animal body includes an annular structure and one or more elongated anchoring members deployable to a deployed condition for insertion into an animal body. The anchoring members are retractable from the deployed condition to a rolled up condition wherein the anchoring members protrude radially out from the annular structure of the device (V) to provide anchoring to a body structure (AS) of an animal. In the rolled up condition the anchoring members at least partly protrude axially of the annular structure of the device (V).