A method for implanting a stent includes contracting a self-expanding/forcibly-expanding stent of a shape-memory material set to a given shape to a reduced implantation size with a delivery system having drive wires. The stent has a selectively adjustable assembly with adjustable elements operatively connected to the drive wires such that, when the adjustable elements are adjusted by the drive wires, a configuration change in at least a portion of the self-expanding stent occurs. The contracted stent is inserted into a native annulus in which the stent is to be implanted. The drive wires are rotated with the delivery system to forcibly expand the stent into the native annulus. While rotating the drive wires, a torque applied to the drive wires is determined with the delivery system. Rotation of the drive wires is stopped based upon a value of the determined torque.

A vascular stent assembly includes at least a first and a second strut, each including a thickness and a depth. The assembly includes a pair of end radii, with each of the first and second struts extending from one of the pair of end radii. A thickness of at least one of the first and second struts includes a tapering profile extending from one of the end radii to another of the end radii, the tapering profile following a continuously increasing or decreasing function through at least half a length of the at least one strut.

A vascular stent assembly includes at least a first and a second strut, each including a thickness and a depth. The assembly includes a pair of end radii, with each of the first and second struts extending from one of the pair of end radii. A thickness of at least one of the first and second struts includes a tapering profile extending from one of the end radii to another of the end radii, the tapering profile following a continuously increasing or decreasing function through at least half a length of the at least one strut.

An intraluminal support structure having a delivery configuration that is a crimped open configuration to increase flexibility while maneuvering in the anatomy and having a small scarring signature.

An intraluminal support structure having a delivery configuration that is a crimped open configuration to increase flexibility while maneuvering in the anatomy and having a small scarring signature.

An eustachian tube (ET) drug eluting stent includes a plurality of longitudinal spars with spring-like elements between each of the plurality of longitudinal spars, creating smooth arcs between each of the plurality of longitudinal spars while minimizing impediment of mucociliary flow. The combination of the plurality of longitudinal spars with spring-like elements are configured to enter into the ET uncompressed.

An eustachian tube (ET) drug eluting stent includes a plurality of longitudinal spars with spring-like elements between each of the plurality of longitudinal spars, creating smooth arcs between each of the plurality of longitudinal spars while minimizing impediment of mucociliary flow. The combination of the plurality of longitudinal spars with spring-like elements are configured to enter into the ET uncompressed.

A delivery system includes an elongated shaft component, a self-expanding valve prosthesis, at least one cinching suture, and a radially-expandable sleeve. The valve prosthesis is disposed over a distal portion of the elongated shaft component and includes a compressed configuration for delivery and an expanded configuration for deployment. The at least one cinching suture removably couples the valve prosthesis to the elongated shaft component and radially compresses the valve prosthesis into the compressed configuration for delivery. The sleeve is secured to and encircles an outer surface of the valve prosthesis. The sleeve has a delivery state with a first diameter extending over a full length of the valve prosthesis in the compressed configuration and a deployed state with a greater second diameter extending over the full length of the valve prosthesis in the expanded configuration. The sleeve is configured to prevent paravalvular leakage in situ in the deployed state.

A delivery system includes an elongated shaft component, a self-expanding valve prosthesis, at least one cinching suture, and a radially-expandable sleeve. The valve prosthesis is disposed over a distal portion of the elongated shaft component and includes a compressed configuration for delivery and an expanded configuration for deployment. The at least one cinching suture removably couples the valve prosthesis to the elongated shaft component and radially compresses the valve prosthesis into the compressed configuration for delivery. The sleeve is secured to and encircles an outer surface of the valve prosthesis. The sleeve has a delivery state with a first diameter extending over a full length of the valve prosthesis in the compressed configuration and a deployed state with a greater second diameter extending over the full length of the valve prosthesis in the expanded configuration. The sleeve is configured to prevent paravalvular leakage in situ in the deployed state.

A prosthetic heart valve having a cuff attached to a stent provides a seal for preventing paravalvular leakage. The cuff may be constructed from known sealing materials to fill in and around paravalvular leakage gaps, while continuously collapsing down into a low profile volume within the stent. The cuff is coupled circumferentially about the stent by members which may be in the nature of dimension and/or shape memory material having a tensioned and relaxed state. The members may be in the form of elongated elastic members or coiled members. When in the tensioned state, the cuff is located within the stent volume to provide a low profile prosthetic heart valve. Upon relaxing of the members, the cuff is pulled over the abluminal surface of the stent to form a cuff seal circumscribing the stent for preventing paravalvular leakage.