A prosthetic heart valve includes a base and a plurality of polymeric leaflets. Each leaflet has a root portion coupled to the base, and each leaflet has an edge portion substantially opposite the root portion and movable relative to the root portion to coapt with a respective edge portion of at least one of the other leaflets of the plurality of leaflets. Each leaflet includes) at least two polymers along at least one portion of the leaflet, and each leaflet has a composition gradient of each of the at least two polymers along at least one portion of the leaflet.

A prosthetic heart valve includes a composite material that has a first plurality of fibers embedded in a polymer matrix. Each fiber can have a first extending direction and a plurality of undulations.

Compliance control stitch patterns sewn or embroidered into biotextile or medical textile substrates impart reinforcing strength, and stretch resistance and control into such substrates. Compliance control stitch patterns may be customizable to particular patients, substrate implantation sites, particular degenerative or diseased conditions, or desired time frames. Substrates having compliance control stitch patterns sewn or embroidered into them may be used in tissue repair or tissue reconstruction applications.

A prosthetic heart valve leaflet is composed of a self-reinforced composite (SRC) structure that includes a first layer. The first layer can include a first plurality of fused fibers composed of a first polymeric material in which each fiber is fused to at least one adjacent fiber by a reflowed fiber domain region.

Examples herein include prosthetic valves, valve leaflets and related methods. In an example, a prosthetic valve is included having a plurality of leaflets. The leaflets can each have a root portion and an edge portion substantially opposite the root portion and movable relative to the root portion. The leaflets can include a fibrous matrix including polymeric fibers having an average diameter of about 10 nanometers to about 10 micrometers. A coating can surround the polymeric fibers within the fibrous matrix. The coating can have a thickness of about 3 to about 30 nanometers. The coating can be formed of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, a nitride, a carbide, a sulfide, or fluoride. In an example, a method of making a valve is included. Other examples are also included herein.

A prosthetic heart valve includes a frame having an inflow end and an outflow end, and defining a longitudinal axis. The prosthetic heart valve further includes a leaflet structure situated at least partially within the frame, and a covering disposed around the frame. The covering includes a first woven portion extending circumferentially around the frame and including a plurality of texturized strands or yarns extending along the longitudinal axis of the frame. The covering further includes a second woven portion extending circumferentially around the frame and spaced apart from the first woven portion along the longitudinal axis of the frame. The texturized strands extend along the longitudinal axis of the frame from the first woven portion to the second woven portion and form a floating portion between the first woven portion and the second woven portion.

The present embodiments provide an endoluminal prosthesis, such as a stent-graft, having a relatively low delivery profile. In one embodiment, the prosthesis comprises a membrane, and at least one stent having contracted and expanded states, where the stent is coupled to the membrane and maintains patency in the expanded state. The prosthesis further may comprise selectively oriented axial and/or circumferential fibers arranged at predetermined locations along the length and circumference of the prosthesis. An increased population density of the circumferential and/or axial fibers may be provided in areas in which the at least one stent portion is attached to the membrane, or in areas of higher physiological loads imposed upon the endoluminal prosthesis. Selectively orienting axial fibers and circumferential fibers at predetermined locations along the length and circumference of the prosthesis, but not continuously along the entire prosthesis, significantly reduces delivery profile due to the reduction in graft material.

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 is formed of a plurality of struts. A cuff is coupled to the stent. The cuff has one or more features configured to reduce abrasion and/or perivalvular leakage.

Medical appliances may be formed of multilayered constructs. The layers of the constructs may be configured with various physical properties or characteristics. The disposition and arrangement of each layer may be configured to create an overall construct with a combination of the individual properties of the layers. Constructs may be used to create vascular prostheses or other medical devices.

Self-expanding implants useful as vascular flow reducers are disclosed with a stabilized throat section to limit the amount of diameter change in certain sections of the implant, for example in the throat section or the center throat ID of an hourglass shape. Methods of making such implants are also described.