Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a valve frame (20) configured to support a prosthetic valve within a native atrio-ventricular valve. The valve frame (20) includes an atrial part (26) and a cylindrical part (22), to which the prosthetic valve leaflets (23) are coupled. A plurality of chord-recruiting arms (24) extend at least radially from the ventricular end of the cylindrical part (22). The chord-recruiting arms (24) are coupled to the ventricular end of the cylindrical part via stitches (82), and the stitches (82) are configured to act as hinges, such that upon being released from a radially-constrained configuration, while the cylindrical part (22) is held in an at least partially radially-constrained configuration, the chord-recruiting arms (24) are configured to extend radially outwardly by pivoting about the stitches (82) with respect to the cylindrical part (22). Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including rotating at least a portion of a valve frame in a first direction and subsequently rotating the valve frame in a second direction. The valve frame includes chord-recruiting arms. An outer surface of each of the chord-recruiting arms has a smooth, convex curvature that extends along substantially a full length of the chord-recruiting arm, such that during the rotation of the portion of the valve frame in the first direction, the chords slide over the outer surface of the chord-recruiting arm without be recruited or caught by the chord-recruiting arm. An inner surface of each of the chord-recruiting arms has a concave curvature, such that during the rotation of the portion of the valve frame in the second direction, the chords are recruited within a space defined by the concave curvature.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a valve frame configured to support a prosthetic valve within a native atrio-ventricular valve. The valve frame includes an atrial part comprising a disc-shaped portion configured to be deployed on an atrial side of the valve annulus, and a frustoconical portion, and a cylindrical part to which the prosthetic valve leaflets are coupled. The cylindrical part configured to be deployed such that a ventricular end of the cylindrical part is disposed within the ventricle. A plurality of protruding struts are configured to protrude from outside the cylindrical part, the frustoconical portion of the atrial part being coupled to the cylindrical part via the protruding struts. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A device for fracturing calcifications in heart valves includes a stabilizer and an impactor movable towards each other. The impactor includes one or more impactor arms, each of which extends distally from a proximal cap. The impactor further includes one or more lever arms each of which is distally coupled to a lever cap and proximally coupled to a corresponding one of the one or more impactor arms. The lever cap slides on a shaft which extends towards the proximal cap. Proximal movement of the lever cap towards the proximal cap causes the one or more lever arms to deform and to push against the one or more impactor arms and to cause the one or more impactor arms to deform.

Abstract: A device for fracturing calcifications in heart valves includes a stabilizer and an impactor movable towards each other. The impactor includes one or more impactor arms, each of which extends distally from a proximal cap. The impactor further includes one or more lever arms each of which is distally coupled to a lever cap and proximally coupled to a corresponding one of the one or more impactor arms. The lever cap slides on a shaft which extends towards the proximal cap. Proximal movement of the lever cap towards the proximal cap causes the one or more lever arms to deform and to push against the one or more impactor arms and to cause the one or more impactor arms to deform.

Abstract: A device for fracturing calcifications in heart valves includes a stabilizer and an impactor movable towards each other. The impactor includes one or more impactor arms, each of which extends distally from a proximal cap. The impactor further includes one or more lever arms each of which is distally coupled to a lever cap and proximally coupled to a corresponding one of the one or more impactor arms. The lever cap slides on a shaft which extends towards the proximal cap. Proximal movement of the lever cap towards the proximal cap causes the one or more lever arms to deform and to push against the one or more impactor arms and to cause the one or more impactor arms to deform.