Abstract: Method and apparatus for placing therapeutic devices such as embolic coils includes a probe assembly carried within a catheter. The probe assembly includes a fiber-optic cable with a connector retained thereon by crimping. The connector has a cable-receiving end resembling a ferrule, which is crimped about the cable. The other end of the connector provides mounting of a therapeutic device, such as an embolic coil. Heat releasable adhesive bonds the therapeutic device to the mounting portion of the connector. Laser energy transmitted through the fiber-optic cable is converted to heat by the connector, which thereupon becomes heated, releasing the adhesive bond between the connector and the therapeutic device. The probe assembly can then be withdrawn from the treatment site.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis has a suture ring with a core for form-coupling with the stent of the prosthesis so that the suture ring and the stent are held securely together axially, while the core can rotate relative to the stent. The suture ring has a covering which cooperates with the surface of the stent and is in contact therewith. The degree of contact determines the resistance to relative rotation of the ring and the stent.

Abstract: A suture ring for a mechanical heart valve comprised of essentially three parts: a stiffening ring which fits over an outer surface of the heart valve; a knit fabric sewing cuff attached to the stiffening ring, and a locking ring for securing the stiffening ring to the heart valve. The preferred embodiment comprises a locking ring which is generally crescent-shaped in cross-section and has a split ring configuration. Radial expansion or contraction is a first mode of deformation for the locking ring. The stiffening ring and the valve body can be locked together because the locking ring is capable of deforming in a second mode with respect to thickness of the ring. In the case of the preferred embodiment, the locking ring deforms by a slight flattening of the cresent cross-section of the ring.

Abstract: An assembly for holding a substantially flexible lenticular shaped annuloplasty ring in a substantially taut position for suturing about a valve annulus. The assembly includes a portion which is formed with a surface against which the annuloplasty ring is positioned and held in a shape substantially equivalent to at least a portion of the valve annulus. The assembly further includes a mechanism for releasably binding the annuloplasty ring to this surface.

Abstract: A bioprosthetic heart valve comprising first and second mechanisms for supporting leaflets to provide multiple effective spring constants. An inner frame supporting commissures of the valve is elastic, permitting the commissures to bend in toward the center of the prosthetic heart valve at very low loads. A relatively rigid annular support ring supports the elastic frame and provides the second spring constant mechanism. An attachment system for sewing bioprosthetic leaflets to the frame and clamping the leaflets between the frame and the annular ring minimizes stress risers in the leaflets. The leaflets have an uncoupled mating edge where the leaflets meet in the center of the valve. The uncoupled portions of the leaflets permit the leaflets to roll by each other.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis and method for replacement of the same are disclosed. The prosthesis includes a sewing ring for permanent attachment to heart tissue, and a valve assembly which is replaceably mounted within the sewing ring in a spaced-apart relationship to define a cylindrical cutting path therebetween. The valve assembly is attached to the sewing ring by interconnecting sutures, but the cylindrical cutting path is otherwise devoid of structure which projects therebetween. Thus, replacement of the valve assembly can be accomplished by insertion of a cutting member, such as a thin scalpel blade, within the cylindrical cutting path, thereby simultaneously facilitating severing of the interconnecting sutures and any tissue ingrowth which may have formed between the sewing ring and valve assembly as the blade is worked around through the cutting path.

Abstract: A "tissue valve type" heart valve prosthesis is disclosed which has a biocompatible plastic sewing ring adapted to be surgically implanted into the mitral, aortic or tricuspid annulus of the human heart. The sewing ring has internal square threads and a biocompatible fabric mesh or cloth is embedded into the sewing ring so that the cloth can be fully wrapped around the sewing ring covering all of its plastic surfaces except for the internally protruding threads. A biocompatible plastic stent support ring has externally disposed threads to lock with the threads of the sewing ring in approximately one turn, or less. The stent support ring also embeds a biocompatible fabric mesh which can be wrapped around the stent support ring to cover all of its plastic surfaces, except for the protruding threads, and to form a cloth pocket wherein a solid stent is mounted. A porcine trileaflet valve is mounted to the stent.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve comprises a suture ring supporting a stent which surrounds a conduit bearing a plurality of flexible valve leaflets. The conduit extends beyond the end of the suture ring.

Abstract: An assembly comprising a prosthetic heart valve having a plurality of commissure supports which are deflectable radially inwardly and a valve holder which includes inner and outer holder members mounted for movement toward and away from each other. The valve holder is attached to the heart valve by sutures which extend from the outer holder member to the commissure supports and then between the commissure supports. When a handle is attached to the other holder member, the holder members are forced apart to tension the sutures to deflect the commissure supports radially inwardly. Portions of the sutures extend between the commissure supports to form a suture loop guard.

Abstract: An artificial ventricle for replacing the human heart and comprising a shell formed from an upper housing and a lower base. A plurality of thin-walled, flexible pumping diaphragm layers are suspended from the base in a specific manner, and divide the shell into complementary upper and lower fluid receiving chambers. The diaphragm layers are shaped so as to travel through a specifically defined geometry of space. A seamless, thin-walled, Flexible blood bladder lines and occupies the upper chamber. The bladder has an upper portion attached to an inner surface of the housing, and an unadhered lower portion in contact with the pumping diaphragms.

Abstract: A suture ring including a continuous compression ring formed of a ductile, electrically conductive material and a layer of fabric secured around the compression ring. The compression ring is dimensioned slightly larger than the circumferential surface of a heart valve upon which it is to be secured, so that the suture ring can be slipped over the heart valve to a position adjacent the circumferential surface without radial expansion of the compression ring. The compression ring is deformed inwardly by electromagnetic forming to securely clamp the heart valve while permitting relative rotation between the suture ring and heart valve.

Abstract: Improved heart valve assembly 1(FIG. 4) includes: Sewing ring 2 made preferably of woven/knitted fabric of carbon/carbon coated polyester/polytetra-fluoroethylene;Metallic valve housing 3, with external groove accommodating sewing ring, with flat lugs 3a on one side and lug 3b having hook 3c on the other side, said housing being preferably made of "Stellite", titanium or alloys of titanium with aluminum, vanadium or palladium or of stainless steel or cobalt based alloys optionally with coating of boron nitride, titanium nitride or diamond and;Valve occluder disc 4 made of Agate, polyacetal homopolymer, synthetic sapphire, synthetic ruby, corundum or ceramics like alumina, tungsten carbide, titanium carbide or their mixture or of metals like aluminum, titanium, steel or cobalt-chromium-tungsten alloy having coating of one or more of said ceramics, and tapered surface 4a with depression/groove 4c therein held by hook 3c on its less pronounced depression 4d as seen in FIG. 5 more clearly.

Abstract: A plastic stent for a prosthetic trileaflet heart valve consisting of a cylindrical body portion terminating at one end in three apical, spaced commissure posts, and at the other end, in a skirt comprising three arcuate extensions, each extension being provided with an interrupted channel adjacent the outer edge thereof. An optional metal ring may be mounted over the skirt adjacent the body portion. A cloth cover is secured to the stent by stitching directly through the skirt in the area of reduced thickness resulting from the interrupted channel.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis for replacing the aortic valve or the pulmonary valve, consisting of a support ring with at least two commissure supports in each case and flexible cusps, is characterized in that the height of the support ring including the commissure supports is less than the total height of the heart valve prosthesis.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve which can be externally monitored is disclosed. In a first embodiment, the leaflets of the valve are magnetized, and the voltage induced in a coil juxtaposed thereto may be monitored. In a second embodiment, conductors are integrated with the leaflets. When the valve is then placed in a magnetic field, a voltage is induced in the conductors. The voltages induced in both valve configurations may be analyzed to indicate valve operation and conditions.

Abstract: A novel bileaflet mitral heart valve is provided herein, which in two alternative embodiments may have symmetrical leaflets or assymmetrical leaflets. It has a stent including a circular base and a pair of upstanding struts separating a pair of arcuately shaped, depressed, reliefs, each such relief being bounded by a smooth curve interconnecting the struts to the circular base. A flexible, durable, biocompatible, e.g. a pericardial, covering is secured to the stent and provides two opposed molded, flexible, flappably-movable, valve leaflets secured along the smooth curve defining the upper perimeter of the reliefs.

Abstract: An improved prosthetic heart valve comprises a support body or stent covered by a layer of biological tissue having only the smooth surfaces thereof presented outwardly. The stent has a cutaway section and a flexible cusp sewn thereto for opening and closing the valve. The valve cusp is made of pericardial tissue which has been doubled over such that the rough side thereof is folded inwardly. A sewing ring is secured around the base of the stent and is made of pericardial or other biological material, so as to increase the likelihood of the sewing ring becoming covered with epithelium. The smooth-surfaced biological construction of the valve is highly durable and reduces the risk of thrombogenic or infection sites.

Abstract: A bioprosthetic heart valve comprising a biological transplant on a frame nsisting of a supporting ring with struts extending therefrom over a toroidal surface and connected with said ring by arcuate portions of an additional ring, a covering made from a biologically inert material with an isolation spacer, which form a toroidal envelope, the biological transplant secured to the covered-up frame having envelopes shaped like aortic sinuses, joining smoothly the cusps whose number corresponds to the number of envelopes; a method of preparing the biological transplant from the aortic valve of an animal or human being comprising the dissection of the aortic root with aortic valve and cutting out a transplant with cusps, fibrous ring and aortic sinuses from a flap of biological tissue with the aid of a device comprising a punch and two matrix plates, said punch being made in the form of a plate with projections and bulges thereon, entering the cutouts on the matrix plates, and a method for preparing the biological

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve comprising a stent having an annular base and a plurality of legs extending upwardly from said base; a valve element circumscribing said stent and attached thereto, said valving element comprising a number of cooperating valve leaflets equal to the number of said legs; and a layer of biologically-compatible material secured to said stent and positioned between said stent and said leaflets, said layer having a smooth, non-abrasive outer surface and covering all of the surfaces of said stent that, in the absence of said layer, would contact the mobile portions of said leaflets during the normal function of the valve.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis has a supporting frame (22) with a circular cross-section, which is covered with a dacron fabric (23). On one end face the dacron fabric (23) is arranged to form a suture ring (14). The fixed aortic valve (15,16,17) of a kangaroo is attached inside the frame and sutured to the dacron fabric (23).