Abstract: A prosthesis can include a collapsible, reexpandable frame comprising first, second, and third sets of struts that define first and second rows of expandable cells. In some embodiments, the struts of the first, second, and third set of struts can be tapered. In some embodiments, the frame can include an intermediate section and an inflow section that is proximal to the intermediate section. The inflow section can include a concave saddle portion that is adjacent the intermediate section, and an outwardly flared portion.

Abstract: A delivery system for use with a prosthetic heart valve having a stent frame to which a valve structure is attached, includes a shaft assembly including a distal end and a coupling structure disposed near the distal end and configured to be coupled to a distal end of the prosthetic heart valve. The system includes a sheath assembly defining a lumen sized to slidably receive the shaft assembly. The delivery system is configured to transition from a loaded state in which the sheath assembly encompasses the prosthetic heart valve to a deployed state in which the sheath assembly is withdrawn from the prosthetic heart valve. The coupling structure is configured to provide a controlled expansion or contraction of the distal end of the prosthetic heart valve based on longitudinal movement of the distal end of the shaft assembly.

Abstract: A delivery system for use with a prosthetic heart valve having a stent frame to which a valve structure is attached, includes a shaft assembly including a distal end and a coupling structure disposed near the distal end and configured to be coupled to a distal end of the prosthetic heart valve. The system includes a sheath assembly defining a lumen sized to slidably receive the shaft assembly. The delivery system is configured to transition from a loaded state in which the sheath assembly encompasses the prosthetic heart valve to a deployed state in which the sheath assembly is withdrawn from the prosthetic heart valve. The coupling structure is configured to provide a controlled expansion or contraction of the distal end of the prosthetic heart valve based on longitudinal movement of the distal end of the shaft assembly.

Abstract: A prosthesis can include a collapsible, reexpandable frame comprising first, second, and third sets of struts that define first and second rows of expandable cells. In some embodiments, the struts of the first, second, and third set of struts can be tapered. In some embodiments, the frame can include an intermediate section and an inflow section that is proximal to the intermediate section. The inflow section can include a concave saddle portion that is adjacent the intermediate section, and an outwardly flared portion.

Abstract: Prosthetic heart valve devices and associated methods for percutaneous or transcatheter heart valve replacement are disclosed herein. A heart valve prosthesis configured in accordance herewith includes a frame having a valve support and a plurality of support arms extending therefrom. The plurality of support arms may include a main support arm configured to extend from the valve support for capturing at least a portion of a valve leaflet of a native heart valve therebetween when the valve prosthesis is in an expanded configuration and deployed within the native heart valve. In addition, the plurality of support arms may include multiple supplemental support arms disposed about the circumference of the valve support that when deployed in the expanded configuration are configured to at least partially engage subannular tissue at the native heart valve.

Abstract: A delivery system for use with a prosthetic heart valve having a stent frame to which a valve structure is attached, includes a shaft assembly including a distal end and a coupling structure disposed near the distal end and configured to be coupled to a distal end of the prosthetic heart valve. The system includes a sheath assembly defining a lumen sized to slidably receive the shaft assembly. The delivery system is configured to transition from a loaded state in which the sheath assembly encompasses the prosthetic heart valve to a deployed state in which the sheath assembly is withdrawn from the prosthetic heart valve. The coupling structure is configured to provide a controlled expansion or contraction of the distal end of the prosthetic heart valve based on longitudinal movement of the distal end of the shaft assembly.

Abstract: Prosthetic heart valve devices and associated methods for percutaneous or transcatheter heart valve replacement are disclosed herein. A heart valve prosthesis configured in accordance herewith includes a frame having a valve support and a plurality of support arms extending therefrom. The plurality of support arms may include a main support arm configured to extend from the valve support for capturing at least a portion of a valve leaflet of a native heart valve therebetween when the valve prosthesis is in an expanded configuration and deployed within the native heart valve. In addition, the plurality of support arms may include multiple supplemental support arms disposed about the circumference of the valve support that when deployed in the expanded configuration are configured to at least partially engage subannular tissue at the native heart valve.

Abstract: A prosthesis can include a collapsible, reexpandable frame having first, second, and third sets of struts that define first and second rows of expandable cells. In some embodiments, the struts of the first, second, and third set of struts can be tapered. In some embodiments, the frame can include an intermediate section and an inflow section that is proximal to the intermediate section. The inflow section can include a concave saddle portion that is adjacent the intermediate section, and an outwardly flared portion.

Abstract: Prosthetic heart valve devices and associated methods for percutaneous or transcatheter heart valve replacement are disclosed herein. A heart valve prosthesis configured in accordance herewith includes a frame having a valve support and a plurality of support arms extending therefrom. The plurality of support arms may include a main support arm configured to extend from the valve support for capturing at least a portion of a valve leaflet of a native heart valve therebetween when the valve prosthesis is in an expanded configuration and deployed within the native heart valve. In addition, the plurality of support arms may include multiple supplemental support arms disposed about the circumference of the valve support that when deployed in the expanded configuration are configured to at least partially engage subannular tissue at the native heart valve.

Abstract: Prosthetic heart valve devices and associated methods for percutaneous or transcatheter heart valve replacement are disclosed herein. A heart valve prosthesis configured in accordance herewith includes a frame having a valve support and a plurality of support arms extending therefrom. The plurality of support arms may include a main support arm configured to extend from the valve support for capturing at least a portion of a valve leaflet of a native heart valve therebetween when the valve prosthesis is in an expanded configuration and deployed within the native heart valve. In addition, the plurality of support arms may include multiple supplemental support arms disposed about the circumference of the valve support that when deployed in the expanded configuration are configured to at least partially engage subannular tissue at the native heart valve.

Abstract: A stented valve including a stent structure having a generally tubular body portion, an interior area, a longitudinal axis, an first end, an second end, and an outer surface; at least one outflow barb extending from the outer surface of the stent adjacent to the first end of the stent structure and toward the second end of the stent structure; at least one inflow barb extending from the outer surface of the stent adjacent to the second end of the stent structure and toward the first end of the stent structure; and a valve structure attached within the interior area of the stent structure.

Abstract: Heart valve prosthesis are disclosed that include a frame or support structure having an inflow portion, a valve-retaining tubular or central portion and a pair of support arms. The inflow portion radially extends from a first end of the valve-retaining tubular portion and the pair of support arms are circumferentially spaced apart and radially extend from an opposing second end of the valve-retaining tubular portion.

Abstract: A stented valve including a stent structure having a generally tubular body portion, an interior area, a longitudinal axis, an first end, an second end, and an outer surface; at least one outflow barb extending from the outer surface of the stem adjacent to the first end of the stent structure and toward the second end of the stent structure; at least one inflow barb extending from the outer surface of the stent adjacent to the second end of the stent structure and toward the first end of the stent structure; and a valve structure attached within the interior area of the stent structure.

Abstract: Prosthetic heart valve devices and associated methods for percutaneous or transcatheter heart valve replacement are disclosed herein. A heart valve prosthesis configured in accordance herewith includes a frame having a valve support and a plurality of support arms extending therefrom. The plurality of support arms may include a main support arm configured to extend from the valve support for capturing at least a portion of a valve leaflet of a native heart valve therebetween when the valve prosthesis is in an expanded configuration and deployed within the native heart valve. In addition, the plurality of support arms may include multiple supplemental support arms disposed about the circumference of the valve support that when deployed in the expanded configuration are configured to at least partially engage subannular tissue at the native heart valve.

Abstract: A stented valve including a stent structure having a generally tubular body portion, an interior area, a longitudinal axis, an first end, an second end, and an outer surface; at least one outflow barb extending from the outer surface of the stent adjacent to the first end of the stent structure and toward the second end of the stent structure; at least one inflow barb extending from the outer surface of the stent adjacent to the second end of the stent structure and toward the first end of the stent structure; and a valve structure attached within the interior area of the stent structure.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stent includes forming a wave form having a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns. Each crown connects two adjacent struts. The wave form has a central portion and two end portions located on opposite sides the central portion. Some of the struts located in the end portions have lengths longer and/or shorter than an average length of all of the struts of the wave form. The method includes wrapping the wave form about a longitudinal axis to define a plurality of turns so that an end turn is oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, a second turn is at a first pitch angle that is less than the angle that the end turn is disposed relative to the longitudinal axis, a third turn is at a second pitch angle that is less than the first pitch angle, and a fourth turn is at a third pitch angle that is less than the second pitch angle.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stent includes forming a wave form having a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns. Each crown connects two adjacent struts. The wave form has a central portion and two end portions located on opposite sides the central portion. Some of the struts located in the end portions have lengths longer and/or shorter than an average length of all of the struts of the wave form. The method includes wrapping the wave form about a longitudinal axis to define a plurality of turns so that an end turn is oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, a second turn is at a first pitch angle that is less than the angle that the end turn is disposed relative to the longitudinal axis, a third turn is at a second pitch angle that is less than the first pitch angle, and a fourth turn is at a third pitch angle that is less than the second pitch angle.

Abstract: A stent includes a continuous wave form having a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns throughout the wave form. Each crown connects two adjacent struts. The wave form is wrapped around a longitudinal axis to define a central portion and two end portions located on opposite sides the central portion. The central portion includes a plurality of turns wrapped around the longitudinal axis and oriented at a first pitch angle relative to the longitudinal axis. The end portions each include a plurality of turns wrapped around the longitudinal axis and oriented at different pitch angles, and an end turn oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis. The different pitch angles of the end portions are between the first pitch angle and the angle of the end turn relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for closing an anatomical aperture in a tissue are disclosed. The medical devices can include distal and proximal support structures, which can include a plurality of anchor members. A connection element can connect the distal and proximal support structures, and be configured to twist to create a seal within the medical device. In certain embodiments, a sheath about the medical device can be retracted to expose the distal support structure, which can allow it to revert to an anchoring configuration from a delivery configuration, such that the anchor members can engage an interior surface of the tissue. After twisting the connection element to form a seal, the sheath can be further retracted to expose the proximal support structure, which can allow it to revert to an anchoring configuration from a delivery configuration, such that the anchor members can engage an exterior surface of the tissue.

Abstract: A delivery device for percutaneously deploying a stented prosthetic heart valve. The device includes a delivery capsule and a recapture sheath. The capsule is configured to compressively retain the prosthesis. The recapture sheath includes a funnel segment having a plurality of circumferentially spaced runners and a polymer overlay. The runners are attached to a shaft and terminate at a distal tip. The overlay surrounds the runners, and is bonded to the shaft but not to at least the tips. The funnel segment is transitionable from a normal condition to an expanded condition forming a funnel shape with a distally increasing diameter, and self-transitionable back toward the normal condition. The funnel segment facilitates sliding of the capsule over a partially deployed region of the prosthesis as part of a recapturing operation. The runners provide columnar strength, with the overlay controlling a shape of the funnel segment.