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 heart valve assembly has a frame comprising an anchoring section, a generally cylindrical leaflet support section, and a neck section that transitions between the anchoring section and the valve support section. The anchoring section has a ball-shaped configuration defined by a plurality of wires that extend from the leaflet support section, with each wire extending radially outwardly to a vertex area where the diameter of the anchoring section is at its greatest, and then extending radially inwardly to a hub. A plurality of leaflets are stitched to the leaflet support section. The heart valve assembly is delivered to the location of a native pulmonary trunk, the vertex area of the anchoring section is deployed into the native pulmonary arteries such that the vertex area is retained in the pulmonary arteries, and then the leaflet support section is deployed in the pulmonary trunk.

Abstract: A heart valve assembly has a heart valve assembly that has a wire frame comprising an anchor section, a generally cylindrical valve support section, and a neck section that transitions between the anchor section and the valve support section. The wire frame includes a plurality of supports extending radially outwardly in an annular manner about an upper end of the valve support section, and the anchor section has an annular flange that extends radially therefrom, so that an annular space is defined between the annular flange and the annular supports for receiving or capturing the native annulus when the heart valve is deployed. The heart valve assembly also includes a leaflet assembly having a plurality of leaflets that are stitched to the valve support section and which are positioned on an inflow side of the neck section.

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 heart valve assembly has a frame comprising an anchoring section, a generally cylindrical leaflet support section, and a neck section that transitions between the anchoring section and the valve support section. The anchoring section has a ball-shaped configuration defined by a plurality of wires that extend from the leaflet support section, with each wire extending radially outwardly to a vertex area where the diameter of the anchoring section is at its greatest, and then extending radially inwardly to a hub. A plurality of leaflets are stitched to the leaflet support section. The heart valve assembly is delivered to the location of a native pulmonary trunk, the vertex area of the anchoring section is deployed into the native pulmonary arteries such that the vertex area is retained in the pulmonary arteries, and then the leaflet support section is deployed in the pulmonary trunk.

Abstract: A heart valve assembly has a frame comprising an anchoring section, a generally cylindrical leaflet support section, and a neck section that transitions between the anchoring section and the valve support section. The anchoring section has a ball-shaped configuration defined by a plurality of wires that extend from the leaflet support section, with each wire extending radially outwardly to a vertex area where the diameter of the anchoring section is at its greatest, and then extending radially inwardly to a hub. A plurality of leaflets are stitched to the leaflet support section. The heart valve assembly is delivered to the location of a native pulmonary trunk, the vertex area of the anchoring section is deployed into the native pulmonary arteries such that the vertex area is retained in the pulmonary arteries, and then the leaflet support section is deployed in the pulmonary trunk.

Abstract: Heart valve prostheses are provided having a self-expanding frame that supports a valve body comprising a skirt and a plurality of coapting leaflets. The leaflets are constructed with four commissure points to reduce the stress and strain applied to the commissure points and to efficiently distribute and transmit forces along the leaflets and to the frame.

Abstract: Heart valve prostheses are provided having a self-expanding frame that supports a valve body comprising a skirt and a plurality of coapting leaflets. The leaflets are constructed with four commissure points to reduce the stress and strain applied to the commissure points and to efficiently distribute and transmit forces along the leaflets and to the frame.

Abstract: A heart valve assembly has a leaflet support structure and a leaflet assembly. The leaflet support structure has a wire frame that supports the leaflet assembly. The leaflet assembly has first and second separate leaflets, each of which is comprised of a skirt section and a sinus leaflet section. Each skirt section has a flange portion and a body portion that has a smaller diameter than the flange portion, with the body portion having opposing side edges, and a curved opening defined by a first stitching edge at about the central portion of the body portion. Each sinus leaflet section has an outflow edge, and a curved second stitching edge, with the sinus leaflet section stitched to the skirt section along the first and second stitching edges. The opposing side edges of the body portion of the first leaflet are stitched to the corresponding side edges of the body portion of the second leaflet.

Abstract: A heart valve assembly has a frame comprising an inflow section, an outflow section, and a connecting section that is located between the inflow section and the outflow section. The inflow section has a plurality of legs that extend radially outwardly, and the connecting section has a greater flexibility than the inner section. The assembly also includes a plurality of leaflets coupled to the connecting section, a valve skirt extending from the leaflets towards the inflow section of the frame, and a cuff section, with the legs and the cuff section together defining a cuff for engagement with a native annulus.

Abstract: A heart valve assembly has a heart valve assembly that has a wire frame comprising an anchor section, a generally cylindrical valve support section, and a neck section that transitions between the anchor section and the valve support section. The wire frame includes a plurality of supports extending radially outwardly in an annular manner about an upper end of the valve support section, and the anchor section has an annular flange that extends radially therefrom, so that an annular space is defined between the annular flange and the annular supports for receiving or capturing the native annulus when the heart valve is deployed. The heart valve assembly also includes a leaflet assembly having a plurality of leaflets that are stitched to the valve support section and which are positioned on an inflow side of the neck section.

Abstract: A heart valve assembly has a frame having an anchoring section defined by a plurality of rows of cells, with each cell defined by a plurality of struts that encircle each cell, and a pair of legs extending from the anchoring section. The assembly also includes a leaflet assembly that has a plurality of leaflets that are stitched to the legs. The heart valve assembly is delivered to the location of a native mitral annulus, and the anchoring section is deployed inside the left atrium such that the anchoring section is completely retained in the left atrium, and the legs and leaflets extend through the native mitral annulus.

Abstract: A heart valve assembly has a heart valve assembly that has an anchor section, a generally cylindrical valve support section, and a neck section that transitions between the anchor section and the valve support section. A plurality of supports extend radially outwardly in an annular manner about an upper end of the valve support section, and the anchor section has an annular flange that extends radially therefrom, so that an annular space is defined between the annular flange and the annular supports for receiving or capturing the native annulus when the heart valve is deployed. The heart valve assembly also includes a leaflet assembly having a plurality of leaflets that are stitched to the valve support section and which are positioned on an inflow side of the neck section.

Abstract: A heart valve assembly has a leaflet support structure and a leaflet assembly. The leaflet support structure has a wire frame that supports the leaflet assembly. The leaflet assembly has first and second separate leaflets, each of which is comprised of a skirt section and a sinus leaflet section. Each skirt section has a flange portion and a body portion that has a smaller diameter than the flange portion, with the body portion having opposing side edges, and a curved opening defined by a first stitching edge at about the central portion of the body portion. Each sinus leaflet section has an outflow edge, and a curved second stitching edge, with the sinus leaflet section stitched to the skirt section along the first and second stitching edges. The opposing side edges of the body portion of the first leaflet are stitched to the corresponding side edges of the body portion of the second leaflet.

Abstract: A heart valve assembly has a frame having an anchoring section defined by a plurality of rows of cells, with each cell defined by a plurality of struts that encircle each cell, and a pair of legs extending from the anchoring section. The assembly also includes a leaflet assembly that has a plurality of leaflets that are stitched to the legs. The heart valve assembly is delivered to the location of a native mitral annulus, and the anchoring section is deployed inside the left atrium such that the anchoring section is completely retained in the left atrium, and the legs and leaflets extend through the native mitral annulus.

Abstract: A heart valve assembly has a frame comprising an anchoring section, a generally cylindrical leaflet support section, and a neck section that transitions between the anchoring section and the valve support section. The anchoring section has a ball-shaped configuration defined by a plurality of wires that extend from the leaflet support section, with each wire extending radially outwardly to a vertex area where the diameter of the anchoring section is at its greatest, and then extending radially inwardly to a hub. A plurality of leaflets are stitched to the leaflet support section. The heart valve assembly is delivered to the location of a native pulmonary trunk, the vertex area of the anchoring section is deployed into the native pulmonary arteries such that the vertex area is retained in the pulmonary arteries, and then the leaflet support section is deployed in the pulmonary trunk.

Abstract: A heart valve assembly has a leaflet support structure and a leaflet assembly. The leaflet support structure has a wire frame that supports the leaflet assembly. The leaflet assembly has first and second separate leaflets, each of which is comprised of a skirt section and a sinus leaflet section. Each skirt section has a flange portion and a body portion that has a smaller diameter than the flange portion, with the body portion having opposing side edges, and a curved opening defined by a first stitching edge at about the central portion of the body portion. Each sinus leaflet section has an outflow edge, and a curved second stitching edge, with the sinus leaflet section stitched to the skirt section along the first and second stitching edges. The opposing side edges of the body portion of the first leaflet are stitched to the corresponding side edges of the body portion of the second leaflet.

Abstract: A heart valve assembly has a frame comprising an inflow section, an outflow section, and a connecting section that is located between the inflow section and the outflow section. The inflow section has a plurality of legs that extend radially outwardly, and the connecting section has a greater flexibility than the inner section. The assembly also includes a plurality of leaflets coupled to the connecting section, a valve skirt extending from the leaflets towards the inflow section of the frame, and a cuff section, with the legs and the cuff section together defining a cuff for engagement with a native annulus.

Abstract: A heart valve assembly has a frame comprising an anchoring section, a generally cylindrical leaflet support section, and a neck section that transitions between the anchoring section and the valve support section. The anchoring section has a ball-shaped configuration defined by a plurality of wires that extend from the leaflet support section, with each wire extending radially outwardly to a vertex area where the diameter of the anchoring section is at its greatest, and then extending radially inwardly to a hub. A plurality of leaflets are stitched to the leaflet support section. The heart valve assembly is delivered to the location of a native pulmonary trunk, the vertex area of the anchoring section is deployed into the native pulmonary arteries such that the vertex area is retained in the pulmonary arteries, and then the leaflet support section is deployed in the pulmonary trunk.

Abstract: A heart valve assembly has a heart valve assembly that has a wire frame comprising an anchor section, a generally cylindrical valve support section, and a neck section that transitions between the anchor section and the valve support section. The wire frame includes a plurality of supports extending radially outwardly in an annular manner about an upper end of the valve support section, and the anchor section has an annular flange that extends radially therefrom, so that an annular space is defined between the annular flange and the annular supports for receiving or capturing the native annulus when the heart valve is deployed. The heart valve assembly also includes a leaflet assembly having a plurality of leaflets that are stitched to the valve support section and which are positioned on an inflow side of the neck section.