Abstract: A valvular sleeve for valvular prostheses including a tubular body extending between an inflow end and an outflow end, the tubular body including a sheet member folded at the outflow end, whereby the tubular body includes an inner tubular portion and an outer tubular portion surrounding the inner tubular portion.

Abstract: A holder for a heart valve prosthesis, the holder including a hub portion having a longitudinal axis, an engagement portion coupled to the hub portion and including plural finger members variably positionable relative to the hub portion between a collapsed condition wherein the finger members are closed onto the hub portion and an expanded condition wherein the finger members radially protrude with respect to the hub portion to engage a heart valve prosthesis.

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: A valvular sleeve for valvular prostheses including a tubular body extending between an inflow end and an outflow end, the tubular body including a sheet member folded at the outflow end, whereby the tubular body includes an inner tubular portion and an outer tubular portion surrounding the inner tubular portion.

Abstract: A collapsible valve prosthesis includes an armature and a set of prosthetic valve leaflets supported by the armature. The armature is expandable from a contracted condition to an expanded condition for anchoring at an annulus of a natural valve site, and includes a tubular intra-annular portion defining a blood flow lumen having an inflow side and an outflow side. The tubular intra-annular portion supports the prosthetic valve leaflets in the blood flow lumen and is provided with outward formations for coupling with the natural valve site. The armature includes an over-annular portion linked to the intra-annular portion to extend collar-like over the annulus of the natural valve site at the inflow side of the blood flow lumen. The armature may also include an under-annular portion to extend collar-like at the outflow side of the blood flow lumen. The prosthesis may permit mitral valve replacement (MVR) without removing the native valve leaflets and the chordae tendineae.

Abstract: A holder for a heart valve prosthesis, the holder including a hub portion having a longitudinal axis, an engagement portion coupled to the hub portion and including plural finger members variably positionable relative to the hub portion between a collapsed condition wherein the finger members are closed onto the hub portion and an expanded condition wherein the finger members radially protrude with respect to the hub portion to engage a heart valve prosthesis.

Abstract: A holder for heart valve prostheses, the holder including a hub portion having a longitudinal axis, an engagement portion coupled to the hub portion and including plural L-shaped finger members variably positionable relative to the hub portion between a collapsed condition wherein the finger members are closed onto the hub portion and an expanded condition wherein the finger members radially protrude with respect to the hub portion to engage a heart valve prosthesis.

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: A support device for implanting a stentless heart valve prosthesis having three leaflets adapted for coapting and defining three corresponding commissures is disclosed. The support device includes a shaft defining a manipulation axis, the shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, and three support formations integrally formed and extending from the proximal end of the shaft, the support formations angularly distributed about the manipulation axis of the shaft, such that each of the support formations correspond to locations of each of the commissures of the stentless heart valve prosthesis. The shaft includes a connection portion flexibly connecting the shaft and the support formations to permit a displacement of the manipulation axis with respect to the support formations. The shaft, the plurality of support formations and the connection portion are integrally formed from a single tubular element.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a holder (1) for heart valve prostheses (V). Embodiments of the holder (1) include: a hub portion (2) having a longitudinal axis (X1), an engagement portion (4) coupled to the hub portion (2) and including plural finger members (5) variably positionable relative to the hub portion (2) between a collapsed condition wherein the finger members (5) are closed onto the hub portion (2) and an expanded condition wherein the finger members (5) radially protrude with respect to the hub portion (2) to engage a heart valve prosthesis (V). The finger members (5) are L-shaped. Also disclosed are a storage arrangement and delivery instrument and a kit for crimping, loading and delivering an expandable heart valve prosthesis (V).

Abstract: A device for anchoring a prosthetic heart valve on biological tissue, includes first and second anchoring assemblies, mutually couplable to secure biological tissue therebetween. The anchoring assemblies include at least one pair of complementary arched portions having anchoring formations for anchoring on the biological tissue. The anchoring formations include integral extensions of the anchoring assemblies extending radially outwardly of one of the anchoring assemblies.

Abstract: A support device for implanting stentless valve prostheses, such as biological heart valves, includes a hub and a plurality of support portions for supporting the stentless valve prosthesis. The hub defines a manipulation axis for the device and is flexibly connected to the support portions to allow displacing the manipulation axis for the device between the support portions.

Abstract: Described is a valve prosthesis comprising: an annular structure, and a plurality of valve leaflets, and a plurality of anchoring members attached around the annular structure, the anchoring members including: a web portion coupled to the annular structure and extending axially thereto, and two end portions at axially opposed sides of the web portion, the end portions having: an insertion condition for insertion of the prosthesis, wherein the end portions are aligned to the web portion and extend axially with respect to the annular structure; and an anchoring condition for anchoring the prosthesis, wherein the end portions extend at an angle to the web portion radially outwardly of the annular structure to provide anchoring of the prosthesis proximally and distally, respectively, of the annulus, and wherein one end portion forms an obtuse angle with the web portion.

Abstract: A device for locating an operational unit within a patient's body within the framework of a minimally-invasive surgery intervention includes a shaft having a distal end carrying an operational unit. The device includes an illuminator located at the distal end of the shaft. The illuminator is selectively adjustable to provide a selectively variable lighting field in correspondence with the operational unit. The device may be, for example, a delivery system for a heart valve or a balloon device for post-dilation of such a heart valve once implanted.

Abstract: A device for anchoring on biological tissue a prosthetic heart valve, includes first and second anchoring assemblies mutually couplable to secure biological tissue therebetween. The anchoring assemblies include at least one pair of complementary arched portions having anchoring formations for anchoring on the biological tissue. The anchoring formations include integral extensions of the anchoring assemblies extending radially outwardly of one of the anchoring assemblies.

Abstract: A kit for implanting a prosthetic vascular conduit includes a prosthetic vascular conduit for coupling to a prosthetic valve having an annular portion. The conduit includes a terminal collar member for receiving the valve. The kit further includes a holder including a shaft and a hub including a receiving portion configured for housing a prosthetic valve. The conduit is fitted on the holder so that at least a portion of the conduit wraps over the receiving portion of the hub. A sleeve member fitted onto the conduit in a position corresponding to the receiving portion of the hub, and a portion of the collar member is wrapped or folded over the sleeve member. The sleeve member is slidable away from the hub to unwrap the collar member such that it is disposed around the annular portion of a prosthetic valve.

Abstract: A kit for facilitating crimping of a prosthetic heart valve for implantation at an aortic valve site in a human heart, the aortic valve site including a plurality of valve sinuses, the kit comprising a prosthetic aortic heart valve having a tubular structure and a first central axis including an anchoring structure comprising an annular outflow member, an annular inflow member, and a plurality of axial connection formations arranged in pairs angularly distributed around the central axis, and a plurality of leaflets coupled to the anchoring structure and adapted to substantially allow blood flow in a first direction and to substantially prevent blood flow in a second direction.

Abstract: A kit for implanting a prosthetic vascular conduit includes a prosthetic vascular conduit for coupling to a prosthetic valve having an annular portion. The conduit includes a terminal collar member for receiving the valve. The kit further includes a holder including a shaft and a hub including a receiving portion configured for housing a prosthetic valve. The conduit is fitted on the holder so that at least a portion of the conduit wraps over the receiving portion of the hub. A sleeve member fitted onto the conduit in a position corresponding to the receiving portion of the hub, and a portion of the collar member is wrapped or folded over the sleeve member. The sleeve member is slidable away from the hub to unwrap the collar member such that it is disposed around the annular portion of a prosthetic valve.

Abstract: A kit for implanting a prosthetic vascular conduit includes a prosthetic vascular conduit for coupling to a prosthetic valve having an annular portion. The conduit includes a terminal collar member for receiving the valve. The kit further includes a holder including a shaft and a hub including a receiving portion configured for housing a prosthetic valve. The conduit is fitted on the holder so that at least a portion of the conduit wraps over the receiving portion of the hub. A sleeve member fitted onto the conduit in a position corresponding to the receiving portion of the hub, and a portion of the collar member is wrapped or folded over the sleeve member. The sleeve member is slidable away from the hub to unwrap the collar member such that it is disposed around the annular portion of a prosthetic valve.

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).