Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure generally relate to a valve prosthesis including a one-piece molded valve comprising commissures and reinforcement members applied to the commissures. The reinforcement members provide reinforcement and strength to the commissures, e.g., from the stress applied by commissure stitching on the commissures.

Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure generally relate to a valve prosthesis having a prosthetic valve, a stent structure, and anti-migration spikes. The stent structure is coupled to the prosthetic valve and includes an inflow portion. The anti-migration spikes are attached to the inflow portion, the anti-migration spikes protruding radially outward and in an outflow direction from the inflow portion. The anti-migration spikes penetrate into tissue of the vessel, e.g., the aortic annulus of a patient's left ventricle, to prevent migration, i.e., undesirable movement, of the valve prosthesis within the vessel after deployment.

Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure generally relate to a valve prosthesis including a one-piece molded valve having valve leaflets with free edges in a chevron down pattern. By forming the free edges in a chevron down pattern, pinwheeling of the prosthetic valve and the associated stress on the prosthetic valve is reduced.

Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure generally relate to a valve prosthesis having a one piece molded prosthetic valve and a reinforcement member attached to the prosthetic valve directly adjacent a cylindrical inflow end of the prosthetic valve. The reinforcement member is additional material outside the leaflet belly region that gets attached directly to a stent structure to provide reinforcement and durability of the prosthetic valve.

Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure generally relate to a valve prosthesis include a prosthetic valve, a stent structure having suture slots, an outer skirt, and outer skirt sutures. The outer skirt sutures attach the outer skirt to the stent structure. The outer skirt sutures are located within the suture slots. By recessing the outer skirt sutures within the suture slots below an inner surface of the stent structure, contact between the outer skirt sutures and valve leaflets of the prosthetic valve is avoided. By avoiding contact between the outer skirt sutures and the valve leaflets, damage to the valve leaflets due to abrasive contact with the outer skirt sutures is prevented.

Abstract: A transcatheter heart valve prosthesis and a method of assembling the transcatheter heart valve prosthesis are disclosed. The heart valve prosthesis includes a valve-skirt assembly having an inner skirt, a frame, an outer wrap backing and an outer wrap. The method includes: tacking the valve-skirt assembly within the frame; attaching the inner skirt below commissure posts of the frame; attaching commissures of the valve component to the commissure posts; attaching a plurality of outer wrap backings to the inner skirt; attaching the outer wrap backings and the inner skirt to the frame; attaching tissue bumpers to struts in an outflow section of the frame; attaching an outer wrap and the inner skirt to the frame; attaching the outer wrap to the inner skirt proximate inflow edges thereof; and attaching the outer wrap to the inner skirt and to the outer wrap backings proximate respective outflow edges thereof.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include apparatuses for and methods of removing a ligation clip interconnecting two mitral valve leaflets. Methods can include providing a mitral valve having first and second valve leaflets interconnected with a ligation clip. The ligation clip includes a base supporting a first and second retaining arms each having an end opposite the base. The first and second valve leaflets are compressed between the first and second retaining arms. The methods further include physically separating the ligation clip from both of the first and second leaflets with the apparatus, which is configured to dislodge the first and second leaflets from the ligation clip. The apparatuses are further configured to withdraw the ligation clip from the patient along with the apparatus.