Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve (300) for replacing a native valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent (306) having a proximal end (302) and a distal end (304), and a valve assembly (308) including a plurality of leaflets (310), the valve assembly (308) being disposed within the stent. The heart valve (300) further includes a first plurality of elongated legs (320) coupled to the stent (306) and transitionable from an extended configuration to a relaxed configuration. A first sealing portion (322) connected to the first plurality of legs (320) forms a sealing structure (350) when the legs (320) transition to the relaxed configuration to reduce perivalvular leakage between the implanted valve and surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve for replacing a native valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the stent including an annulus section adjacent the proximal end and an aortic section adjacent the distal end. The annulus section has cells arranged in at least one annulus row, each annulus row having a same first number of cells, the first number defining a first cell density. The aortic section has cells arranged in at least one aortic row, each aortic row having a same second number of cells, the second number defining a second cell density, the first cell density and the second cell density being different. A valve assembly is disposed within the stent.

Abstract: A collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent and a collapsible and expandable valve assembly. The stent has a proximal end and a distal end. A plurality of commissure points is disposed on the stent. The valve assembly is disposed within the stent and includes a plurality of leaflets. Each leaflet has a free edge. An end portion of the free edge of each leaflet is folded and sutured to a corresponding one of the plurality of the commissure points.

Abstract: A collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes a stent and a valve assembly. The stent has an annulus section with a relatively small cross-section, and an aortic section with a relatively large cross-section. The valve assembly, including a cuff and a plurality of leaflets, is secured to the stent in the annulus section such that the valve assembly can be entirely deployed in the native valve annulus and function as intended while at least a portion of the aortic section is held by the delivery device in a manner that allows for resheathing. The configuration of the prosthetic valve is such that the valve leaflets can fully coapt and the valve can function properly even when the stent and/or valve assembly become distorted upon deployment or use.

Abstract: A collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent and a collapsible and expandable valve assembly. The stent has a proximal end and a distal end. A plurality of commissure points is disposed on the stent. The valve assembly is disposed within the stent and includes a plurality of leaflets. Each leaflet has a free edge. An end portion of the free edge of each leaflet is folded and sutured to a corresponding one of the plurality of the commissure points.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve 300 may include a collapsible and expandable stent 306 having a proximal end 302, a distal end 304, an annulus section adjacent the proximal end, and a plurality of cells connected to one another in annular rows around the stent, a cuff 312 attached to the stent, and a sealing member 322 attached to the cuff and extending from a proximal end 313 of the cuff to a free edge 323. The sealing member 322 may be movable between an extended condition in which the free edge 323 is located proximally of the proximal end 302 of the stent 306, and an inverted condition in which the free edge is located distally of the proximal end of the stent and a first surface 324 of the sealing member confronts an outward-facing surface of the cuff. Various mechanisms for moving the sealing member 322 are also described.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes an annular frame that is adapted for (1) delivery into a patient's native heart valve annulus in a circumferentially collapsed condition, and (2) circumferential re-expansion when in the annulus, the frame, in an expanded condition. The frame having a longitudinal axis, an inflow end and an outflow end, a first portion of the frame adjacent the inflow end inclining radially outwardly in a direction toward the inflow end, and a second portion of the frame between the first portion and the outflow end bulging radially outwardly, the second portion of the frame being positioned between a first axial distance from the inflow end and a second axial distance from the inflow end. The frame also includes a plurality of commissure members. The heart valve further includes a flexible leaflet structure disposed in the frame.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a stent having an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, the stent in the expanded configuration having a longitudinal axis, an inflow end, an outflow end, a first portion adjacent the inflow end and a second portion adjacent the outflow end. The first portion includes a plurality of collapsible cells each having a perimeter and an open center; and the second portion includes a plurality of struts spaced from one another in an annular direction of the stent, the second portion of the stent being devoid of structure between annularly adjacent ones of the struts, whereby the annularly adjacent ones of the struts are not directly connected to one another. A valve assembly is supported by the stent.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve for replacing a native valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent having a proximal end and a distal end, and a valve assembly including a plurality of leaflets, the valve assembly being disposed within the stent. The heart valve further includes a plurality of elongated legs each with a first end coupled to the stent and a free end, the elongated legs being configured to transition from an extended configuration to a relaxed configuration. A sealing portion connected to the plurality of legs forms a sealing structure when the legs transition to the relaxed configuration to reduce perivalvular leakage between the implanted valve and surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a stent extending in a longitudinal direction and having a plurality of commissure features. A valve assembly is secured to the stent, the valve assembly including a cuff and a plurality of leaflets. Each of the leaflets has a pair of attachment regions and a free edge extending between the attachment regions. A deflection feature disposed in each attachment region is configured and arranged to prevent the free edges of the leaflets from contacting at least one of the stent or the cuff.

Abstract: A cardiovascular valve assembly is disclosed including a housing assembly comprising a first portion and a second portion removably attached to the first portion. A valve may be positioned within the housing assembly. The valve, which may be a mechanical valve, a biological tissue valve, or a polymeric valve, may be structured to allow fluid to flow through the housing assembly in a single direction. In certain embodiments, the valve assembly may further include at least one coupling structure provided on the second portion and at least one aperture defined in the first portion, with the aperture structured to receive the coupling structure to couple the first portion to the second portion. Corresponding systems incorporating cardiovascular valve assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent having a proximal end, a distal end, an annulus section adjacent the proximal end and an aortic section adjacent the distal end, the stent including a plurality of struts. A plurality of commissure features is disposed on the stent and coupled to selected ones of the struts, each commissure feature including a body having a proximal end and a distal end, and at least one eyelet in the body. The heart valve further includes a collapsible and expandable valve assembly including a plurality of leaflets. At least one leaflet is connected to the at least one eyelet and to at least one of the selected ones of the struts via a suture pattern.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes an annular frame that is adapted for (1) delivery into a patient's native heart valve annulus in a circumferentially collapsed condition, and (2) circumferential re-expansion when in the annulus, the frame, in an expanded condition. The frame having a longitudinal axis, an inflow end and an outflow end, a first portion of the frame adjacent the inflow end inclining radially outwardly in a direction toward the inflow end, and a second portion of the frame between the first portion and the outflow end bulging radially outwardly, the second portion of the frame being positioned between a first axial distance from the inflow end and a second axial distance from the inflow end. The frame also includes a plurality of commissure members. The heart valve further includes a flexible leaflet structure disposed in the frame.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a stent extending in a longitudinal direction and having a plurality of commissure features. A valve assembly is secured to the stent, the valve assembly including a cuff and a plurality of leaflets. Each of the leaflets has a pair of attachment regions and a free edge extending between the attachment regions. A deflection feature disposed in each attachment region is configured and arranged to prevent the free edges of the leaflets from contacting at least one of the stent or the cuff.

Abstract: Prosthetic heart valve apparatus is adapted for delivery into a patient in a circumferentially collapsed condition, followed by circumferential re-expansion at the implant site in the patient. The apparatus includes an annular anchoring structure that can be implanted in the patient first. The apparatus further includes an annular valve support structure, which supports a flexible leaflet structure of the valve. The support and leaflet structures are initially separate from the anchoring structure, but they can be implanted in the patient by interengagement of the support structure with the already-implanted anchoring structure.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent including a plurality of struts forming cells, the stent having a proximal end, a distal end, an annulus section adjacent the proximal end, an aortic section adjacent the distal end, and a transition section disposed between the annulus section and the aortic section, the aortic section having a larger diameter than the annulus section. The heart valve further includes a valve assembly disposed entirely in the annulus section of the stent for controlling the flow of blood through the stent, the valve assembly including a plurality of leaflets, and a cuff, the cuff being disposed on a surface of the stent and extending fully over at least two rows of cells of the stent.

Abstract: A device for positioning a reference element during aortic valve implantation surgery. The device includes a first extension member having a proximal end and a distal end, a connection member adapted to connect the first extension member to a support, and a coupling having a first end connected to the connection member and a second end connected to the proximal end of the first extension member so that the first extension member is moveable in multiple planes relative to the support. At least one reference datum is operatively connected to the distal end of the first extension member and extends in a straight line, the reference datum being moveable between a first position and a second position to enable precise locating of the reference datum during the aortic valve implantation surgery.