Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100191326 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMPLANTING COLLAPSIBLE/EXPANDABLE PROSTHETIC HEART VALVES - Apparatus for delivering a prosthetic heart valve into a patient by means that are less invasive than conventional open-chest, open-heart surgery. The prosthetic valve may be collapsed while in a delivery device. When the valve reaches the desired implant site in the patient, the valve can be released from the delivery device, which allows the valve to re-expand to the configuration in which it can function as a heart valve. For example, the delivery device may be constructed to facilitate delivery of the prosthetic valve into the patient via the apex of the patient's heart. | 07-29-2010 |
20100204781 | PROSTHETIC AORTIC HEART VALVES - A prosthetic aortic valve includes an annular, annulus inflow portion that is designed to reside in or near the patient's native aortic valve annulus, and an annular, aortic outflow portion that is designed to reside in the patient's aorta down-stream from at least a portion of the valsalva sinus. The annulus inflow portion and the aortic outflow portion are connected to one another by a plurality of connecting struts that are confined to regions near the commissures of the patient's native aortic valve. The connecting struts are designed to bulge out into the valsalva sinus to help anchor the prosthetic valve in place. The valve is circumferentially collapsible to a relatively small diameter for less-invasive delivery into the patient. The valve circumferentially expands to a larger operational diameter when deployed at the implant site. | 08-12-2010 |
20100204785 | TWO-STAGE COLLAPSIBLE/EXPANDABLE PROSTHETIC HEART VALVES AND ANCHORING SYSTEMS - 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. | 08-12-2010 |
20100249911 | COLLAPSIBLE/EXPANDABLE PROSTHETIC HEART VALVES WITH NON-EXPANDING STENT POSTS AND RETRIEVAL FEATURES - A frame structure for a collapsible and re-expandable prosthetic heart valve. The frame structure includes an annular annulus portion that is configured for implanting in or near a patient's native heart valve annulus. This annulus portion of the frame structure may include a plurality of annularly spaced commissure post structures interconnected by connecting structures. The commissure post structures may be more resistant to annular collapse than the connecting structures. In the case of a prosthetic aortic valve, the frame structure may also include an annular aortic portion. The aortic portion may include a plurality of attachment points (for tethers) closest to the annulus portion. Such attachment points and tethers can facilitate re-collapse of a partly deployed valve in the event of a need to reposition or remove the valve. | 09-30-2010 |
20100249923 | COLLAPSIBLE/EXPANDABLE PROSTHETIC HEART VALVES WITH NATIVE CALCIFIED LEAFLET RETENTION FEATURES - A prosthetic heart valve is circumferentially collapsible for less invasive delivery into a patient. The valve re-expands to operating size at the implant site in the patient. A frame structure of the valve includes restraining structure that can help to push one or more of the patient's native heart valve leaflets radially outwardly so that this native leaflet tissue does not interfere with the operation or service life of the prosthetic valve. | 09-30-2010 |
20100286768 | DELIVERY AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS FOR COLLAPSIBLE/EXPANDABLE PROSTHETIC HEART VALVES - A system for delivering a collapsible and re-expandable prosthetic heart valve into a patient includes a valve support structure ( | 11-11-2010 |
20120078347 | STENT FEATURES FOR COLLAPSIBLE PROSTHETIC HEART VALVES - A prosthetic heart valve includes a stent having an expanded condition and a collapsed condition. The stent includes a plurality of distal cells, a plurality of proximal cells, a plurality of support struts coupling the proximal cells to the distal cells, and at least one support post connected to a plurality of proximal cells. The proximal cells are longitudinally spaced apart from the distal cells. Various strut configurations and connections of the struts to the proximal cells and of the proximal cells to the support post improve stent flexibility and reduce stress in the valve leaflets. | 03-29-2012 |
20120197390 | BLUNT ENDED STENT FOR PROSTHETIC HEART VALVE - A collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes a stent and a valve assembly. The stent has a proximal end and a distal end and includes a plurality of struts. The struts have free ends configured to inhibit tissue penetration. The valve assembly, including a plurality of leaflets, is disposed within the stent. | 08-02-2012 |
20120197391 | LEAFLET SUTURING TO COMMISSURE POINTS FOR PROSTHETIC HEART VALVE - 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. | 08-02-2012 |
20120330408 | SYSTEM FOR LOADING A COLLAPSIBLE HEART VALVE - An assembly for collapsing a self-expanding prosthetic heart valve includes a compression member, a support member and a constricting member. The compression member has a tapered wall between its first open end and its second open end, the tapered wall defining an open space adapted to receive the valve. The support member has a base and a recess adapted to receive an end of the valve. The support member and the compression member are movable toward one another to compress the valve and push it through a relatively small aperture in the second open end of the compression member. The second end of the constricting member is sized to receive the compressed valve from the second open end of the compression member for loading into a delivery device. | 12-27-2012 |
20130123911 | TRANSAPICAL COLLAPSIBLE VALVE REFERENCE FIXTURE - 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. | 05-16-2013 |
20130245753 | TWO-STAGE COLLAPSIBLE/EXPANDABLE PROSTHETIC HEART VALVES AND ANCHORING SYSTEMS - 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. | 09-19-2013 |
20130253639 | HEART VALVE CHORDAE REPLACEMENT METHODS AND APPARATUS - Apparatus for attaching a prosthetic tether between a leaflet of a patient's heart valve and another portion of the patient's heart to help prevent prolapse of the leaflet and/or to otherwise improve leaflet function. The apparatus can be used with relatively low invasiveness of the patient's body. The apparatus releasably clamps the leaflet during attachment of the tether to the leaflet. The apparatus may include an integrated display for indicating how extensively the leaflet is being clamped, as well as structure for stabilizing the leaflet for better clamping. The apparatus may enter the heart through an aperture in the wall of the heart, and may include structure for helping to reduce blood leakage from that aperture. The apparatus may be able to enter the heart by following a guide wire. The apparatus may include various means for attaching the tether to the leaflet. | 09-26-2013 |
20130295541 | TRANSCATHETER HEART VALVE DELIVERY DEPLOYMENT SIMULATOR - An apparatus for simulation of an anatomical structure may include a left ventricle component having an inlet port configured to receive fluid flow therethrough, an aortic arch component having an outlet port configured to receive fluid flow therethrough, an aortic annulus component attached to and disposed between the left ventricle component and the aortic arch component, and an introducer configured to receive an elongated catheter assembly therethrough. The aortic annulus component may have an inner surface including simulated stenotic nodules. The introducer may be in fluid communication with at least one of the left ventricle component and the aortic arch component. | 11-07-2013 |
20130317602 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMPLANTING COLLAPSIBLE/EXPANDABLE PROSTHETIC HEART VALVES - Apparatus for delivering a prosthetic heart valve into a patient by means that are less invasive than conventional open-chest, open-heart surgery. The prosthetic valve may be collapsed while in a delivery device. When the valve reaches the desired implant site in the patient, the valve can be released from the delivery device, which allows the valve to re-expand to the configuration in which it can function as a heart valve. For example, the delivery device may be constructed to facilitate delivery of the prosthetic valve into the patient via the apex of the patient's heart. | 11-28-2013 |
20130331933 | COLLAPSIBLE/EXPANDABLE PROSTHETIC HEART VALVES WITH NON-EXPANDING STENT POSTS AND RETRIEVAL FEATURES - A frame structure for a collapsible and re-expandable prosthetic heart valve. The frame structure includes an annular annulus portion that is configured for implanting in or near a patient's native heart valve annulus. This annulus portion of the frame structure may include a plurality of annularly spaced commissure post structures interconnected by connecting structures. The commissure post structures may be more resistant to annular collapse than the connecting structures. In the case of a prosthetic aortic valve, the frame structure may also include an annular aortic portion. The aortic portion may include a plurality of attachment points (for tethers) closest to the annulus portion. Such attachment points and tethers can facilitate re-collapse of a partly deployed valve in the event of a need to reposition or remove the valve. | 12-12-2013 |
20140005775 | COMMISSURE ATTACHMENT FEATURE FOR PROSTHETIC HEART VALVE | 01-02-2014 |
20140107772 | ROUGHENED CUFF SURFACE - 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. A cuff having an inner surface and an outer surface is made sufficiently rough to promote tissue growth. The prosthetic heart valve further includes a collapsible and expandable valve assembly, the valve assembly including a plurality of leaflets connected to at least one of the stent and the cuff. | 04-17-2014 |
20140236289 | PROSTHETIC AORTIC HEART VALVES - A prosthetic aortic valve includes an annular, annulus inflow portion that is designed to reside in or near the patient's native aortic valve annulus, and an annular, aortic outflow portion that is designed to reside in the patient's aorta downstream from at least a portion of the valsalva sinus. The annulus inflow portion and the aortic outflow portion are connected to one another by a plurality of connecting struts that are confined to regions near the commissures of the patient's native aortic valve. The connecting struts are designed to bulge out into the valsalva sinus to help anchor the prosthetic valve in place. The valve is circumferentially collapsible to a relatively small diameter for less-invasive delivery into the patient. The valve circumferentially expands to a larger operational diameter when deployed at the implant site. | 08-21-2014 |
20140277423 | SELF-ACTUATING SEALING PORTIONS FOR PARAVALVULAR LEAK PROTECTION - 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. | 09-18-2014 |
20140296966 | STENT FEATURES FOR COLLAPSIBLE PROSTHETIC HEART VALVES - A prosthetic heart valve includes a stent having an expanded condition and a collapsed condition. The stent includes a plurality of distal cells, a plurality of proximal cells, a plurality of support struts coupling the proximal cells to the distal cells, and at least one support post connected to a plurality of proximal cells. The proximal cells are longitudinally spaced apart from the distal cells. Various strut configurations and connections of the struts to the proximal cells and of the proximal cells to the support post improve stent flexibility and reduce stress in the valve leaflets. | 10-02-2014 |
20140303722 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMPLANTING COLLAPSIBLE/EXPANDABLE PROSTHETIC HEART VALVES - Apparatus for delivering a prosthetic heart valve into a patient by means that are less invasive than conventional open-chest, open-heart surgery. The prosthetic valve may be collapsed while in a delivery device. When the valve reaches the desired implant site in the patient, the valve can be released from the delivery device, which allows the valve to re-expand to the configuration in which it can function as a heart valve. For example, the delivery device may be constructed to facilitate delivery of the prosthetic valve into the patient via the apex of the patient's heart. | 10-09-2014 |
20140303723 | Collapsible/Expandable Prosthetic Heart Valves With Native Calcified Leaflet Retention Features - A prosthetic heart valve is circumferentially collapsible for less invasive delivery into a patient. The valve re-expands to operating size at the implant site in the patient. A frame structure of the valve includes restraining structure that can help to push one or more of the patient's native heart valve leaflets radially outwardly so that this native leaflet tissue does not interfere with the operation or service life of the prosthetic valve. | 10-09-2014 |
20150032206 | TWO-STAGE COLLAPSIBLE/EXPANDABLE PROSTHETIC HEART VALVES AND ANCHORING SYSTEMS - 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. | 01-29-2015 |
20150057747 | STENT WITH ALTERNATIVE CELL SHAPES - A stent for use with a prosthetic heart valve for replacement of a native valve includes an expandable stent body having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, with an annulus section at an inflow end of the stent body and an aortic section at an outflow end. A plurality of commissure attachment features are positioned circumferentially around the stent body. A distal edge of the annulus section is generally parabolic and extends from one of the commissure attachment features to an adjacent one of the commissure attachment features, with the middle of the parabola being closest to the inflow end of the stent body. | 02-26-2015 |