Abstract: A positioning anchor is provided for a stent-graft for implantation to treat a damaged body lumen. The positioning anchor is generally tubular surrounding a primary fluid conduit. Arms extend laterally from the generally tubular structure of the anchor surrounding lateral fluid conduits. The form of these arms is preferably custom configured to match a particular patient's luminal geometry. The anchor thus fits within the luminal geometry to remain in a desired fixed position for implantation of the anchor and any stent-graft coupled to the anchor. The anchor is most preferably formed with two walls having a void therebetween which can be filled with fixation media to further secure the anchor at the desired implantation site. A lumen shaper balloon and delivery catheter are also disclosed for proper delivery, expansion and inflation of the positioning anchor and stent-graft elements according to this invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. The apparatus includes a replacement valve and an expandable anchor configured for endovascular delivery to a vicinity of the patient's heart valve. In some embodiments, the replacement valve is adapted to wrap about the anchor, for example, by everting during endovascular deployment. In some embodiments, the replacement valve is not connected to expandable portions of the anchor. In some embodiments, the anchor is configured for active foreshortening during endovascular deployment. In some embodiments, the anchor includes expandable lip and skirt regions for engaging the patient's heart valve during deployment. In some embodiments, the anchor comprises a braid fabricated from a single strand of wire. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a lock configured to maintain anchor expansion. The invention also includes methods for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve.

Abstract: A method for percutaneously replacing a heart valve of a patient. In some embodiments the method includes the steps of percutaneously delivering a replacement valve and an expandable anchor to a vicinity of the heart valve in an unexpanded configuration; expanding the anchor to a deployed configuration in which the anchor contacts tissue at a first anchor site; repositioning the anchor to a second anchor site; and deploying the anchor at the second anchor site.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. The apparatus includes a replacement valve and an expandable anchor configured for endovascular delivery to a vicinity of the patient's heart valve. In some embodiments, the replacement valve is adapted to wrap about the anchor, for example, by everting during endovascular deployment. In some embodiments, the replacement valve is not connected to expandable portions of the anchor. In some embodiments, the anchor is configured for active foreshortening during endovascular deployment. In some embodiments, the anchor includes expandable lip and skirt regions for engaging the patient's heart valve during deployment. In some embodiments, the anchor comprises a braid fabricated from a single strand of wire. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a lock configured to maintain anchor expansion. The invention also includes methods for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. The apparatus includes a replacement valve and an anchor having an expandable braid. In some embodiments, the expandable braid is fabricated from a single strand of wire. In some embodiments, the expandable braid comprises at least one turn feature. The anchor and the valve preferably are configured for endovascular delivery and deployment.

Abstract: Apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. The apparatus includes a replacement valve and an anchor having an expandable braid. In some embodiments, the expandable braid is fabricated from a single strand of wire. In some embodiments, the expandable braid comprises at least one turn feature. The anchor and the valve preferably are configured for endovascular delivery and deployment.

Abstract: A replacement heart valve assembly. An expandable anchor is disclosed that has a skirt region, a lip region, and a plurality of posts attached to the skirt region. A replacement heart valve is attached to the posts. The lip region has interlocking elements that are secured to the posts where the interlocking elements have eyelets. Tabs extend into the eyelets to mate with holes in the posts.

Abstract: The invention provides a two-part package and method of use for a pre-attached medical implant and delivery tool system. The package includes a wet compartment and a dry compartment and allows a pre-attached implant and delivery tool system to be at least partially stored immersed in a fluid in the wet compartment and at least partially stored in the dry compartment. In one embodiment the implant comprises a replacement heart valve, and the heart valve is stored inside the wet compartment while the heart valve delivery tool remains dry in the dry compartment.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. The apparatus includes a replacement valve and an anchor having an expandable braid. In some embodiments, the expandable braid is fabricated from a single strand of wire. In some embodiments, the expandable braid comprises at least one turn feature. The anchor and the valve preferably are configured for endovascular delivery and deployment.

Abstract: A method for endovascularly replacing a heart valve of a patient. In some embodiments the method includes the steps of: endovascularly delivering a replacement valve and an expandable anchor in an unexpanded configuration within a catheter to a vicinity of the heart valve; deploying the anchor from the catheter; expanding the anchor to contact tissue at an anchor site; and retrieving the anchor into the catheter. The invention also includes an apparatus for endovascularly replacing a heart valve, including: a catheter; a replacement valve configured to be disposed within the catheter for delivery to a vicinity of the heart valve; and an expandable anchor configured to be disposed within the catheter for delivery to a vicinity of the heart valve, to be deployed from the catheter, to be expanded to contact tissue at an anchor site and to be retrieved back into the catheter after having been expanded.

Abstract: The invention provides a two-part package and method of use for a pre-attached medical implant and delivery tool system. The package includes a wet compartment and a dry compartment and allows a pre-attached implant and delivery tool system to be at least partially stored immersed in a fluid in the wet compartment and at least partially stored in the dry compartment. In one embodiment the implant comprises a replacement heart valve, and the heart valve is stored inside the wet compartment while the heart valve delivery tool remains dry in the dry compartment.

Abstract: Apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve, including: a delivery catheter having a diameter of 21 french or less; an expandable anchor disposed within the delivery catheter; and a replacement valve disposed within the delivery catheter. The invention also includes a method for endovascularly replacing a heart valve of a patient. In some embodiments the method includes the steps of: inserting a catheter having a diameter no more than 21 french into the patient; endovascularly delivering a replacement valve and an expandable anchor to a vicinity of the heart valve through the catheter; and deploying the anchor and the replacement valve.

Abstract: A method for percutaneously replacing a heart valve of a patient. In some embodiments the method includes the steps of percutaneously delivering a replacement valve and an expandable anchor to a vicinity of the heart valve in an unexpanded configuration; expanding the anchor to a deployed configuration in which the anchor contacts tissue at a first anchor site; repositioning the anchor to a second anchor site; and deploying the anchor at the second anchor site.

Abstract: Apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve, including: a delivery catheter having a diameter of 21 french or less; an expandable anchor disposed within the delivery catheter; and a replacement valve disposed within the delivery catheter. The invention also includes a method for endovascularly replacing a heart valve of a patient. In some embodiments the method includes the steps of: inserting a catheter having a diameter no more than 21 french into the patient; endovascularly delivering a replacement valve and an expandable anchor to a vicinity of the heart valve through the catheter; and deploying the anchor and the replacement valve.

Abstract: A positioning anchor is provided for a stent-graft for implantation to treat a damaged body lumen. The positioning anchor is generally tubular surrounding a primary fluid conduit. Arms extend laterally from the generally tubular structure of the anchor surrounding lateral fluid conduits. The form of these arms is preferably custom configured to match a particular patient's luminal geometry. The anchor thus fits within the luminal geometry to remain in a desired fixed position for implantation of the anchor and any stent-graft coupled to the anchor. The anchor is most preferably formed with two walls having a void therebetween which can be filled with fixation media to further secure the anchor at the desired implantation site. A lumen shaper balloon and delivery catheter are also disclosed for proper delivery, expansion and inflation of the positioning anchor and stent-graft elements according to this invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. The apparatus includes a replacement valve and an expandable anchor configured for endovascular delivery to a vicinity of the patient's heart valve. In some embodiments, the replacement valve is adapted to wrap about the anchor, for example, by everting during endovascular deployment. In some embodiments, the replacement valve is not connected to expandable portions of the anchor. In some embodiments, the anchor is configured for active foreshortening during endovascular deployment. In some embodiments, the anchor includes expandable lip and skirt regions for engaging the patient's heart valve during deployment. In some embodiments, the anchor comprises a braid fabricated from a single strand of wire. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a lock configured to maintain anchor expansion. The invention also includes methods for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. The apparatus includes a replacement valve and an expandable anchor configured for endovascular delivery to a vicinity of the patient's heart valve. In some embodiments, the replacement valve is adapted to wrap about the anchor, for example, by everting during endovascular deployment. In some embodiments, the replacement valve is not connected to expandable portions of the anchor. In some embodiments, the anchor is configured for active foreshortening during endovascular deployment. In some embodiments, the anchor includes expandable lip and skirt regions for engaging the patient's heart valve during deployment. In some embodiments, the anchor comprises a braid fabricated from a single strand of wire. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a lock configured to maintain anchor expansion. The invention also includes methods for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve.

Abstract: A positioning anchor is provided for a stent-graft for implantation to treat a damaged body lumen. The positioning anchor is generally tubular surrounding a primary fluid conduit. Arms extend laterally from the generally tubular structure of the anchor surrounding lateral fluid conduits. The form of these arms is preferably custom configured to match a particular patient's luminal geometry. The anchor thus fits within the luminal geometry to remain in a desired fixed position for implantation of the anchor and any stent-graft coupled to the anchor. The anchor is most preferably formed with two walls having a void therebetween which can be filled with fixation media to further secure the anchor at the desired implantation site. A lumen shaper balloon and delivery catheter are also disclosed for proper delivery, expansion and inflation of the positioning anchor and stent-graft elements according to this invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. The apparatus includes a replacement valve and an anchor having an expandable braid. In some embodiments, the expandable braid is fabricated from a single strand of wire. In some embodiments, the expandable braid comprises at least one turn feature. The anchor and the valve preferably are configured for endovascular delivery and deployment.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. The apparatus includes a replacement valve and an anchor having an expandable braid. In some embodiments, the expandable braid is fabricated from a single strand of wire. In some embodiments, the expandable braid comprises at least one turn feature. The anchor and the valve preferably are configured for endovascular delivery and deployment.