Abstract: A method of assembling a prosthetic heart valve includes providing a collapsible and expandable stent having an annulus section and an aortic section. The annulus section has a first diameter in a relaxed condition and a second diameter less than the first diameter in a collapsed condition. A constraint is applied to the stent to constrain the annulus section to a predetermined diameter between the first and second diameters. Applying a cuff and/or a plurality of leaflets to the stent in the constrained condition enables less material to be used. The resultant prosthetic valve is therefore able to be collapsed to a smaller diameter for introduction into a patient.

Abstract: Prosthetic heart valves, which are collapsible to a relatively small circumferential size for less invasive delivery into a patient and which then re-expand to operating size at an implant site in the patient, include a collapsible/expandable stent-like supporting structure and various components of flexible, sheet-like material that are attached to the supporting structure. For example, these sheet-like other components may include prosthetic valve leaflets, layers of buffering material, cuff material, etc. Improved structures and techniques are provided for securing such other components to the stent-like supporting structure of the valve.

Abstract: A method of making a prosthetic heart valve may include providing an annular stent having a plurality of annularly spaced commissure portions having tips, covering each of the tips with a first fabric cover, covering the first fabric covers and the remainder of the stent with a second fabric cover, covering the second fabric cover with a first tissue membrane, and covering the outside of the first tissue membrane with a second tissue membrane, the second tissue membrane forming leaflet portions that extend inwardly between the commissure portions.

Abstract: A collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes a stent and a valve assembly. The stent has an annulus section with a relatively small cross-section, and an aortic section with a relatively large cross-section. The valve assembly, including a cuff and a plurality of leaflets, is secured to the stent in the annulus section such that the valve assembly can be entirely deployed in the native valve annulus and function as intended while at least a portion of the aortic section is held by the delivery device in a manner that allows for resheathing. The configuration of the prosthetic valve is such that the valve leaflets can fully coapt and the valve can function properly even when the stent and/or valve assembly become distorted upon deployment or use.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a stent having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition. The stent includes a plurality of cells, each cell being formed by a plurality of struts, and a plurality of commissure features. The heart valve further includes a valve assembly secured to the stent and including a cuff and a plurality of leaflets, each leaflet being attached to adjacent commissure features and to the stent struts and/or the cuff.

Abstract: Prosthetic heart valves, which are collapsible to a relatively small circumferential size for less invasive delivery into a patient and which then re-expand to operating size at an implant site in the patient, include a collapsible/expandable stent-like supporting structure and various components of flexible, sheet-like material that are attached to the supporting structure. For example, these sheet-like other components may include prosthetic valve leaflets, layers of buffering material, cuff material, etc. Improved structures and techniques are provided for securing such other components to the stent-like supporting structure of the valve.

Abstract: A collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes a stent and a valve assembly. The stent has a proximal end and a distal end and includes a plurality of struts. The struts have free ends configured to inhibit tissue penetration. The valve assembly, including a plurality of leaflets, is disposed within the stent.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in conjunction with implanting a collapsible and re-expandable prosthetic heart valve in a patient by means that are less invasive than traditional open-chest, open-heart surgery. The apparatus may include a one-way valve for preventing blood from escaping from the patient's circulatory system when that system is entered to implant the prosthetic heart valve. The apparatus may include various forms of cutters for gaining access to the patient's circulatory system. The apparatus may include various forms of devices for quickly closing the access to the patient's circulatory system after the prosthetic heart valve has been implanted.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent having a proximal end, a distal end, an annulus section adjacent the proximal end and an aortic section adjacent the distal end, a plurality of commissure features disposed on the stent, and a collapsible and expandable valve assembly, the valve assembly including a plurality of leaflets connected to the plurality of commissure features. Each commissure feature includes a body having a proximal end a distal end, and a plurality of eyelets arranged in at least two rows and at least two columns for attaching the body to the plurality of leaflets.

Abstract: An occluder device for occluding a gap between a medical device and adjacent body tissue includes a conformable body having a hollow interior, a leading end and a trailing end; and a port disposed at the trailing end of the body and in fluid communication with the interior of the body.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent having a proximal end, a distal end, an annulus section adjacent the proximal end and an aortic section adjacent the distal end. The stent is formed of a plurality of struts. A cuff is coupled to the stent. The cuff has one or more features configured to reduce abrasion and/or perivalvular leakage.

Abstract: A collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes a stent and a valve assembly. The stent includes an annulus section and at least one foldable section. The stent is movable between an unfolded condition in which the foldable section is longitudinally spaced from the annulus section, and a folded condition in which the foldable section is at least partially positioned radially adjacent the annulus section. The valve assembly is positioned within the annulus section of the stent in the folded condition of the stent.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve is designed to be circumferentially collapsible for less invasive delivery into the patient. At the implant site the valve re-expands to a larger circumferential size, i.e., the size that it has for operation as a replacement for one of the patient's native heart valves. The valve includes structures that, at the implant site, extend radially outwardly to engage tissue structures above and below the native heart valve annulus. These radially outwardly extending structures clamp the native tissue between them and thereby help to anchor the prosthetic valve at the desired location in the patient.

Abstract: A device for holding an implantable medical device includes a jar for receiving the implantable medical device, and a ring coupleable to the jar. The ring has a plurality of channels adapted to receive retaining features of the implantable medical device to stabilize the medical device within the jar.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a stent having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition. The stent has a proximal end, a distal end and a plurality of cells, each cell being formed by a plurality of struts. A valve assembly is secured to the stent and includes a cuff and a plurality of leaflets. The plurality of leaflets are attached to the cuff adjacent an underwire that extends about the perimeter of the cuff.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent having a proximal end, a distal end, an annulus section adjacent the proximal end and an aortic section adjacent the distal end, the stent including a plurality of struts. A plurality of commissure features is disposed on the stent and coupled to selected ones of the struts, each commissure feature including a body having a proximal end and a distal end, and at least one eyelet in the body. The heart valve further includes a collapsible and expandable valve assembly including a plurality of leaflets. At least one leaflet is connected to the at least one eyelet and to at least one of the selected ones of the struts via a suture pattern.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent and a plurality of commissure features disposed on the stent. A collapsible and expandable valve assembly includes a plurality of leaflets connected to the plurality of commissure features, each commissure feature including a body having a proximal end and a distal end. A plurality of eyelets is arranged in rows and columns on the body for distributing load from the plurality of leaflets.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve is provided with a cuff (85, 285, 400) having features which promote sealing with the native tissues even where the native tissues are irregular. The cuff may include a portion (90) adapted to bear on the LVOT when the valve is implanted in a native aortic valve. The valve may include elements (210, 211, 230, 252, 253) for biasing the cuff outwardly with respect to the stent body when the stent body is in an expanded condition. The cuff may have portions of different thickness (280) distributed around the circumference of the valve in a pattern matching the shape of the opening defined by the native tissue. All or part (402) of the cuff may be movable relative to the stent during implantation.