Abstract:
A prosthetic heart valve holder system includes a prosthetic heart valve having a base at an inflow end, a plurality of commissure posts extending from the base toward an outflow end, and valve leaflets secured to the commissure posts to permit flow through the heart valve. A deflector is provided at the outflow end having a central hub and a plurality of arms extending from the central hub secured to and covering the tips of respective commissure posts. A valve support body is secured to the base and a post connects the valve support body to the hub of the deflector. The plurality of arms are sufficiently collapsible such that, in a first position, free ends of the arms are located axially between the hub and the valve support body to prevent suture looping during an implant procedure, and in a second position, the hub is located axially between the free ends of the arms and the valve support body to permit removal of the deflector from the outflow side of the valve, through the valve leaflets, to the inflow side of the valve.
Abstract:
A prosthetic heart valve configured to replace a native heart valve and having a support frame configured to be reshaped into an expanded form in order to receive and/or support an expandable prosthetic heart valve therein is disclosed, together with methods of using same. The prosthetic heart valve may be configured to have a generally rigid and/or expansion-resistant configuration when initially implanted to replace a native valve (or other prosthetic heart valve), but to assume a generally expanded form when subjected to an outward force such as that provided by a dilation balloon or other mechanical expander.
Abstract:
A prosthetic heart valve configured to replace a native heart valve and having a support frame configured to be reshaped into an expanded form in order to receive and/or support an expandable prosthetic heart valve therein is disclosed, together with methods of using same. The prosthetic heart valve may be configured to have a generally rigid and/or expansion-resistant configuration when initially implanted to replace a native valve (or other prosthetic heart valve), but to assume a generally expanded form when subjected to an outward force such as that provided by a dilation balloon or other mechanical expander.
Abstract:
A sewing ring for prosthetic heart valves that is connected and configured to pivot outward. A biocompatible fabric covering surrounds at least a portion of the sewing ring, and the ring may be exclusively connected to a stent with the fabric. The sewing ring may be generally planar and of uniform thickness, or may be of varying thickness. The fabric may be used to encompass both the stent and the sewing ring, and may be a single piece. A seam may be provided in the fabric as a discrete pivoting line. The sewing ring may be convertible between bi-stable positions. The ring may extend outward in a frusto-conical shape so as to enable inversion between a position facing the inflow end of the valve and a position facing the outflow end of the valve. A method of implantation, and a method of assembly of the heart valve is also provided.
Abstract:
A prosthetic heart valve configured to replace a native heart valve and having a support frame configured to be reshaped into an expanded form in order to receive and/or support an expandable prosthetic heart valve therein is disclosed, together with methods of using same. The prosthetic heart valve may be configured to have a generally rigid and/or expansion-resistant configuration when initially implanted to replace a native valve (or other prosthetic heart valve), but to assume a generally expanded form when subjected to an outward force such as that provided by a dilation balloon or other mechanical expander.
Abstract:
A prosthetic heart valve configured to replace a native heart valve and having a support frame configured to be reshaped into an expanded form in order to receive and/or support an expandable prosthetic heart valve therein is disclosed, together with methods of using same. The prosthetic heart valve may be configured to have a generally rigid and/or expansion-resistant configuration when initially implanted to replace a native valve (or other prosthetic heart valve), but to assume a generally expanded form when subjected to an outward force such as that provided by a dilation balloon or other mechanical expander.
Abstract:
Valve holders and introducers for delivering a prosthetic heart valve to an implant site are in various embodiments configured to facilitate insertion of prosthetic valves through small incisions or access sites on a patient's body. The valve holders can also be configured to reduce or eliminate the occurrence of suture looping or other damage to the prosthetic valve during implantation. A valve holder according to embodiments of the invention includes features that reduce or eliminate mistakes during implantation of the prosthetic valves, such as a removable activator dial and a removable handle that prevent implantation of the valve prior to proper deployment or adjustment of the holder. An introducer is provided which can facilitate passing of a prosthetic valve between adjacent ribs of a patient. Valve holders and introducers according to the various embodiments can be used in minimally invasive procedures, such as thoracotomy procedures.
Abstract:
A valved conduit including a bioprosthetic aortic heart valve connected to a tubular conduit graft forming an ascending aorta. The conduit graft may attach to the heart valve in a manner that facilitates a redo operation in which the valve is replaced with another valve. A sewing ring may be pre-attached to the inflow end of the graft, and then the valve connected to a delivery holder advanced into the graft and secured to the sewing ring. Dry bioprosthetic valves coupled with conduit grafts sealed with a bioresorbable medium can be stored with the delivery holder.
Abstract:
A prosthetic heart valve configured to replace a native heart valve and having a support frame configured to be reshaped into an expanded form in order to receive and/or support an expandable prosthetic heart valve therein is disclosed, together with methods of using same. The prosthetic heart valve may be configured to have a generally rigid and/or expansion-resistant configuration when initially implanted to replace a native valve (or other prosthetic heart valve), but to assume a generally expanded form when subjected to an outward force such as that provided by a dilation balloon or other mechanical expander.
Abstract:
A valved conduit including a bioprosthetic aortic heart valve connected to a tubular conduit graft forming an ascending aorta. The conduit graft may attach to the heart valve in a manner that facilitates a redo operation in which the valve is replaced with another valve. A sewing ring may be pre-attached to the inflow end of the graft, and then the valve connected to a delivery holder advanced into the graft and secured to the sewing ring. Dry bioprosthetic valves coupled with conduit grafts sealed with a bioresorbable medium can be stored with the delivery holder.