Abstract: A valve catheter is advanced through a patient's vasculature while a prosthetic heart valve is attached to flexible extensions along a distal end thereof. The valve catheter is advanced through a tubular sleeve for exposing the prosthetic heart valve and allowing the prosthetic heart valve to self-expand while the extensions remain attached to the prosthetic heart valve. A release mechanism on a handle portion is actuated for releasing the prosthetic heart valve from the extensions, thereby implanting the prosthetic heart in a native heart valve. If the operator is not satisfied with the initial expansion, the prosthetic heart valve may be reoriented before release from the extensions by retracting the prosthetic heart valve back into the tubular sleeve, adjusting the orientation of the prosthetic heart valve and then re-advancing the valve catheter from the tubular sleeve for allowing the prosthetic heart valve to re-self-expand at a more desirable location.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve includes a radially collapsible and expandable annular frame having three commissure attachment portions and at least three rows of angled struts. The rows include a first row, a second row downstream of the first row, and a third row downstream of the second row. Each row of struts includes angled struts arranged in a zig-zag pattern defining a plurality of crowns. A leaflet structure includes three leaflets forming three commissures, each commissure being connected to one of the commissure attachment portions via sutures extending through apertures in the commissure attachment portions, wherein all of the apertures are located along the length of the frame between a first plane defined by the crowns of the second row of struts and a second plane defined by the crowns of the third row of struts.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve includes a radially collapsible and expandable annular frame having three commissure attachment portions and at least three rows of angled struts. The rows include a first row, a second row downstream of the first row, and a third row downstream of the second row. Each row of struts includes angled struts arranged in a zig-zag pattern defining a plurality of crowns. A leaflet structure includes three leaflets forming three commissures, each commissure being connected to one of the commissure attachment portions via sutures extending through apertures in the commissure attachment portions, wherein all of the apertures are located along the length of the frame between a first plane defined by the crowns of the second row of struts and a second plane defined by the crowns of the third row of struts.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve comprises a radially collapsible and expandable annular frame and a leaflet structure comprising three leaflets. Each leaflet has an upper edge portion, a curved lower edge portion and two side flaps, wherein each side flap is connected to an adjacent side flap of another leaflet to form commissures of the leaflet structure, with each commissure being attached to the frame. An annular inner sleeve comprises three U-shaped portions positioned along the curved lower edge portions of the leaflets. An annular outer sleeve extends around are outer surface of the frame, wherein the outer sleeve is made of pericardium. The frame is made of Nitinol and the prosthetic valve can be radially crimped to a radially collapsed configuration inside a sheath for delivery into a patient's body and self-expand to a radially expanded configuration when released from the sheath inside the patient's body.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve includes a radially collapsible and expandable annular frame having three commissure attachment posts and four rows of circumferential struts. The rows include a first row, a second row downstream of the first row, a third row downstream of the second row, and a fourth row downstream of the third row and defining an outflow end of the frame. Each row of circumferential struts includes angled struts arranged in a zig-zag pattern. A leaflet structure includes three leaflets forming three commissures, each commissure being connected to one of the commissure attachment posts only at locations along the commissure attachment posts between a first plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the frame and intersects crowns of the third row of struts and a second plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and intersects crowns of the fourth row of struts.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve includes a radially collapsible and expandable annular frame having three commissure attachment posts and four rows of circumferential struts. The rows include a first row, a second row downstream of the first row, a third row downstream of the second row, and a fourth row downstream of the third row and defining an outflow end of the frame. Each row of circumferential struts includes angled struts arranged in a zig-zag pattern. A leaflet structure includes three leaflets forming three commissures, each commissure being connected to one of the commissure attachment posts only at locations along the commissure attachment posts between a first plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the frame and intersects crowns of the third row of struts and a second plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and intersects crowns of the fourth row of struts.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve includes a radially collapsible and expandable annular frame having three commissure attachment posts and four rows of circumferential struts. The rows include a first row, a second row downstream of the first row, a third row downstream of the second row, and a fourth row downstream of the third row and defining an outflow end of the frame. Each row of circumferential struts includes angled struts arranged in a zig-zag pattern. A leaflet structure includes three leaflets forming three commissures, each commissure being connected to one of the commissure attachment posts only at locations along the commissure attachment posts between a first plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the frame and intersects crowns of the third row of struts and a second plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and intersects crowns of the fourth row of struts.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve includes a radially collapsible and expandable annular frame having three commissure attachment posts and four rows of circumferential struts. The rows include a first row, a second row downstream of the first row, a third row downstream of the second row, and a fourth row downstream of the third row and defining an outflow end of the frame. Each row of circumferential struts includes angled struts arranged in a zig-zag pattern. A leaflet structure includes three leaflets forming three commissures, each commissure being connected to one of the commissure attachment posts only at locations along the commissure attachment posts between a first plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the frame and intersects crowns of the third row of struts and a second plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and intersects crowns of the fourth row of struts.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve includes a radially collapsible and expandable annular frame having three commissure attachment posts and four rows of circumferential struts. The rows include a first row, a second row downstream of the first row, a third row downstream of the second row, and a fourth row downstream of the third row and defining an outflow end of the frame. Each row of circumferential struts includes angled struts arranged in a zig-zag pattern. A leaflet structure includes three leaflets forming three commissures, each commissure being connected to one of the commissure attachment posts only at locations along the commissure attachment posts between a first plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the frame and intersects crowns of the third row of struts and a second plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and intersects crowns of the fourth row of struts.

Abstract: A method of crimping an implantable prosthetic valve can include placing protective material over at least a portion of the implantable prosthetic valve. The protective material can be configured to occupy space between open cells of a frame of the implantable prosthetic valve to prevent damage to a leaflet structure of the implantable prosthetic valve. The method can also include crimping the implantable prosthetic valve with the protective material on the implantable prosthetic valve, and removing the protective material from between the frame and the leaflet structure of the implantable prosthetic valve.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve comprises a radially collapsible and expandable annular frame and a leaflet structure comprising three leaflets. Each leaflet has an upper edge portion, a curved lower edge portion and two side flaps, wherein each side flap is connected to an adjacent side flap of another leaflet to form commissures of the leaflet structure, with each commissure being attached to the frame. An annular inner sleeve comprises three U-shaped portions positioned along the curved lower edge portions of the leaflets. An annular outer sleeve extends around are outer surface of the frame, wherein the outer sleeve is made of pericardium. The frame is made of Nitinol and the prosthetic valve can be radially crimped to a radially collapsed configuration inside a sheath for delivery into a patient's body and self-expand to a radially expanded configuration when released from the sheath inside the patient's body.

Abstract: A valve catheter is advanced through a patient's vasculature while a prosthetic heart valve is attached to flexible extensions along a distal end thereof. The valve catheter is advanced through a tubular sleeve for exposing the prosthetic heart valve and allowing the prosthetic heart valve to self-expand while the extensions remain attached to the prosthetic heart valve. A release mechanism on a handle portion is actuated for releasing the prosthetic heart valve from the extensions, thereby implanting the prosthetic heart in a native heart valve. If the operator is not satisfied with the initial expansion, the prosthetic heart valve may be reoriented before release from the extensions by retracting the prosthetic heart valve back into the tubular sleeve, adjusting the orientation of the prosthetic heart valve and then re-advancing the valve catheter from the tubular sleeve for allowing the prosthetic heart valve to re-self-expand at a more desirable location.

Abstract: An assembly for treating a native valve in a human heart includes a prosthetic heart valve having an expandable frame and a valvular structure. The assembly also includes a tubular sleeve and a valve catheter disposed within the sleeve. A plurality of metal extension arms are coupled to the valve catheter for holding the prosthetic heart valve. The extension arms are configured to radially expand with the prosthetic heart valve during expansion of the prosthetic heart valve at a treatment site. A plurality of metal rods extend distally from the valve catheter. The rods are axially movable relative to the extension arms. A plurality of release members are provided for releasing the prosthetic heart valve from the extension arms upon movement of the metal rods.

Abstract: A method of crimping an implantable prosthetic valve can include placing protective material over at least a portion of the implantable prosthetic valve. The protective material can be configured to occupy space between open cells of a frame of the implantable prosthetic valve to prevent damage to a leaflet structure of the implantable prosthetic valve. The method can also include crimping the implantable prosthetic valve with the protective material on the implantable prosthetic valve, and removing the protective material from between the frame and the leaflet structure of the implantable prosthetic valve.

Abstract: A method of crimping an implantable prosthetic valve can include placing protective material over at least a portion of the implantable prosthetic valve. The protective material can be configured to occupy space between open cells of a frame of the implantable prosthetic valve to prevent damage to a leaflet structure of the implantable prosthetic valve. The method can also include crimping the implantable prosthetic valve with the protective material on the implantable prosthetic valve, and removing the protective material from between the frame and the leaflet structure of the implantable prosthetic valve.

Abstract: A method of crimping an implantable prosthetic valve can include placing protective material over at least a portion of the implantable prosthetic valve. The protective material can be configured to occupy space between open cells of a frame of the implantable prosthetic valve to prevent damage to a leaflet structure of the implantable prosthetic valve. The method can also include crimping the implantable prosthetic valve with the protective material on the implantable prosthetic valve, and removing the protective material from between the frame and the leaflet structure of the implantable prosthetic valve.

Abstract: A method of crimping an implantable prosthetic valve can include placing protective material over at least a portion of the implantable prosthetic valve. The protective material can be configured to occupy space between open cells of a frame of the implantable prosthetic valve to prevent damage to a leaflet structure of the implantable prosthetic valve. The method can also include crimping the implantable prosthetic valve with the protective material on the implantable prosthetic valve, and removing the protective material from between the frame and the leaflet structure of the implantable prosthetic valve.

Abstract: A method of crimping an implantable prosthetic valve can include placing protective material over at least a portion of the implantable prosthetic valve. The protective material can be configured to occupy space between open cells of a frame of the implantable prosthetic valve to prevent damage to a leaflet structure of the implantable prosthetic valve. The method can also include crimping the implantable prosthetic valve with the protective material on the implantable prosthetic valve, and removing the protective material from between the frame and the leaflet structure of the implantable prosthetic valve.

Abstract: A method of crimping an implantable prosthetic valve can include placing protective material over at least a portion of the implantable prosthetic valve. The protective material can be configured to occupy space between open cells of a frame of the implantable prosthetic valve to prevent damage to a leaflet structure of the implantable prosthetic valve. The method can also include crimping the implantable prosthetic valve with the protective material on the implantable prosthetic valve, and removing the protective material from between the frame and the leaflet structure of the implantable prosthetic valve.

Abstract: A method of crimping an implantable prosthetic valve can include placing protective material over at least a portion of the implantable prosthetic valve. The protective material can be configured to occupy space between open cells of a frame of the implantable prosthetic valve to prevent damage to a leaflet structure of the implantable prosthetic valve. The method can also include crimping the implantable prosthetic valve with the protective material on the implantable prosthetic valve, and removing the protective material from between the frame and the leaflet structure of the implantable prosthetic valve.