Abstract: A method of delivering a replacement prosthetic valve to a previously implanted prosthetic valve including the steps of compressing a replacement prosthetic valve having an expandable stent within a sheath of a delivery system, wherein the delivery system comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a centering structure positioned between the proximal and distal ends, advancing the delivery system and compressed replacement prosthetic valve into a vessel of a patient until the distal end of the delivery system is positioned adjacent to a second side of a previously implanted prosthetic valve, deploying the centering structure to radially reposition the distal end of the delivery system, further advancing the delivery system toward the previously implanted prosthetic valve, and deploying the replacement prosthetic valve.

Abstract: A flexible annuloplasty prosthesis for repairing a heart valve having a valve annulus. The annuloplasty prosthesis comprises a flexible body defining an exterior of the prosthesis formed of a biocompatible material and configured to rest against and support the heart valve annulus upon implantation. The flexible annuloplasty prosthesis has a height of not more than 2.5 mm. This low profile characteristic enhances a surgeon's ability to implant the prosthesis. In one preferred embodiment, the flexible body is a fabric material folded onto itself along a length thereof, with the annuloplasty prosthesis being characterized by an elevated longitudinal stiffness.

Abstract: A method of percutaneously delivering a multi-layered stent assembly to a desired implantation location of a patient including the steps of radially compressing a multi-layered stent assembly to a compressed size for implantation in a patient, the multi-layered stent assembly including a first stent, a second stent coaxially positioned within at least a portion of a length of the first stent, and a valve, wherein the first stent comprises at least one different material property than the second stent. The method further includes delivering the multi-layered stent assembly to the desired implantation location of the patient using a delivery system and substantially simultaneously expanding the first stent and the second stent of the multi-layered stent assembly at the desired implantation location to a radially expanded size that is larger than the compressed size.

Abstract: A heart valve that can be expanded following its implantation in a patient, such as to accommodate the growth of a patient and the corresponding growth of the area where the valve is implanted, and to minimize paravalvular leakage. In one aspect, the invention may maximize the orifice size of the surgical valve. The invention includes expandable implantable conduits and expandable bioprosthetic stented valves. In one aspect of the invention, the valve may be adapted to accommodate growth of a patient to address limitation on bioprosthetic valve lifespans.

Abstract: Described is a set of at least two annuloplasty devices having a particular size that corresponds to an inter-trigonal or inter-commissural distance of a heart valve annulus, wherein the at least two annuloplasty devices have different anterior-posterior ratios. Also, described is a kit for annuloplasty repair of a heart valve annulus including a plurality of annuloplasty devices each comprising one of a plurality of different sizes, wherein the different sizes each correspond to a different inter-trigonal or inter-commissural distance of a heart valve annulus, and for each of the plurality of different sizes there are at least two devices each having the same size but having different anterior-posterior ratios. Additionally, a method of choosing an annuloplasty device for implantation in a valve annulus is described.

Abstract: A method for valve replacement or valve repair is disclosed comprising the steps of acquiring an anatomical image of a patient, correlating the image to the patient, guiding a valve replacement delivery member or a valve repair delivery member within the patient while tracking the position of the delivery member in the patient, positioning the valve replacement member or valve repair member in a desired position to place a valve or repair valve and removing the delivery member from the patient. In one aspect, a method and device are provided that involve imaging a native root using an interoperative technique, then introducing a device that is easily visualized in a chosen imaging modality.

Abstract: A stented valve prosthesis for implantation within a native mitral valve having a generally tubular expandable stent structure having a first end, a second end, a central body portion having one or more openings, and a longitudinal axis. A wing portion extends outwardly from the stent structure and away from the longitudinal axis of the stent structure in an expanded deployed configuration. A radius of the wing portion is greater than a radius of the central body portion in the expanded deployed configuration, and the wing portion fits within one of the openings in the central body portion of the stent structure in a crimped delivery configuration. A valve structure having a plurality of leaflets is attached to an interior of the stent structure.

Abstract: A delivery system for an implantable stented device having a handle with a plurality of actuation members, each actuation member connected to one or more stent attachment elements, a sheath having a proximal end attached to the handle, and a plurality of tubes extending within the sheath. The stent attachment elements extend from distal ends of the tubes. A first actuation member is configured to move a first stent attachment element proximally toward the handle and a second actuation member is configured to move a second stent attachment element proximally toward the handle, sequentially releasing specific portions of the stented device by causing distal ends of the stent attachment elements to contact an exterior of the distal ends of the tubes, thereby disengaging the first and second stent attachment elements from the stented device.

Abstract: A delivery system and method for positioning and partially deploying a replacement valve at an implantation site, verifying the location of the replacement valve relative to the implantation site, and retrieving the partially deployed stent for repositioning relative to the implantation site.

Abstract: A heart valve that can be expanded following its implantation in a patient, such as to accommodate the growth of a patient and the corresponding growth of the area where the valve is implanted, and to minimize paravalvular leakage. In one aspect, the invention may maximize the orifice size of the surgical valve. The invention includes expandable implantable conduits and expandable bioprosthetic stented valves. In one aspect of the invention, the valve may be adapted to accommodate growth of a patient to address limitation on bioprosthetic valve lifespans.

Abstract: A delivery system with sequential release mechanism and method of delivering and deploying an implantable stented device into a body lumen including a tabular body, a plurality of activation members extending from the distal end of the tubular body, and a plurality of disks. Each disk includes a proximal and distal surface, at least one stent engagement element attached to the distal surface of the disk and at least one aperture. At least one activation member attaches to the proximal surface of a first disk and at least one activation member passes through an aperture of the first disk and attaches to the proximal surface of a second disk. At least one stent engagement element attached to the distal surface of the first disk passes through an aperture of the second disk. Axially movement of the activation members causes sequential release of the stent engagement elements from a stented device.

Abstract: A stented valve including a stent structure including a generally tubular body portion having a first end, a second end, an interior area, a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of vertical wires extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis around a periphery of the body portion, wherein the plurality of vertical wires includes multiple commissure wires and at least one structural wire positioned between adjacent commissure wires, and a plurality of V-shaped wire structures having a first end, a second end, and a peak between the first and second ends, wherein a first end of each V-shaped structure extends from a first vertical wire and a second end of each V-shaped structure extends from a second vertical wire that is adjacent to the first vertical wire, wherein each V-shaped structure is oriented so that its peak is facing in the same direction relative to the first and second ends of the body portion, and a valve structure including a plurality of leaflets attached to the stent structure within the

Abstract: A stented valve including a generally tubular stent structure that has a longitudinal axis, first and second opposite ends, a plurality of commissure support structures spaced from the first and second ends and extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, at least one structural wire positioned between each two adjacent commissure support structures, and at least one wing portion extending from two adjacent commissure support structures and toward one of the first and second ends of the stent structure. The stented valve further includes a valve structure attached within the generally tubular stent structure to the commissure support structures.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve for functionally replacing a previously implanted prosthetic heart valve is disclosed. The prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible support structure with leaflets and anchors mounted to the support structure. The support structure also includes an inflow end and an outflow end. The anchors include a radially outwardly extending first anchor proximate to the inflow end and a radially outwardly extending second anchor proximate to the outflow end. The first anchor includes a first configuration and the second anchor includes a second configuration where the first configuration is different than the second configuration. The previously implanted prosthetic heart valve serves as a platform for securement of the prosthetic heart valve to the patient's native tissue.

Abstract: A stented valve including a stent structure including a generally tubular body portion having a first end, a second end, an interior area, a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of vertical wires extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis around a periphery of the body portion, wherein the plurality of vertical wires includes multiple commissure wires and at least one structural wire positioned between adjacent commissure wires, and a plurality of V-shaped wire structures having a first end, a second end, and a peak between the first and second ends, wherein a first end of each V-shaped structure extends from a first vertical wire and a second end of each V-shaped structure extends from a second vertical wire that is adjacent to the first vertical wire, wherein each V-shaped structure is oriented so that its peak is facing in the same direction relative to the first and second ends of the body portion, and a valve structure including a plurality of leaflets attached to the stent structure within the

Abstract: A delivery system and method for positioning and partially deploying a replacement valve at an implantation site, verifying the location of the replacement valve relative to the implantation site, and retrieving the partially deployed stent for repositioning relative to the implantation site.

Abstract: A heart valve that can be expanded following its implantation in a patient, such as to accommodate the growth of a patient and the corresponding growth of the area where the valve is implanted, and to minimize paravalvular leakage. In one aspect, the invention may maximize the orifice size of the surgical valve. The invention includes expandable implantable conduits and expandable bioprosthetic stented valves. In one aspect of the invention, the valve may be adapted to accommodate growth of a patient to address limitation on bioprosthetic valve lifespans.

Abstract: A method of functionally replacing a previously implanted prosthetic heart valve. The method includes positioning a replacement prosthetic heart valve within an internal region defined by the previously implanted prosthetic heart valve. The replacement prosthetic heart valve is then physically docked to the previously implanted prosthetic heart valve. With this technique, the previously implanted prosthetic heart valve serves as a platform for securement of the replacement prosthetic heart valve to the patient's native tissue.

Abstract: An annuloplasty band comprising a sheath, and a generally arcuate stiffening element disposed within the sheath. The stiffening element extends from a first end to a second end, and preferably includes eyelets at its first and second ends adapted to receive sutures to secure the annuloplasty band to a valve annulus. The annuloplasty band preferably has a low profile (e.g., a thickness less than 3 mm). In embodiments intended for mitral valve repair, the eyelets are particularly adapted to receive sutures to secure the annuloplasty band to the antero-lateral trigone and postero-medial trigone. A holder and sizer device useful with the annuloplasty band are also provided.

Abstract: Annuloplasty device for implantation adjacent an annulus of a tricuspid valve, the annulus comprising anterior, posterior and septal aspects adjacent anterior, posterior and septal leaflets, respectively, of the tricuspid valve, the device comprising: a ring body comprising: an anterior portion, a posterior portion and a septal portion shaped to conform to, and for implantation adjacent, the anterior, posterior and septal aspects of the annulus, respectively; and first and second ends; wherein the ring body is curvilinear, with substantially no flat portions, forming a shape, and the ends are configured such that when the device is implanted, the first end will be located near the junction of the septal and anterior aspects of the annulus and the second end will be located near the septal aspect of the annulus. Related methods.