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 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 including a plurality of struts. A cuff may be coupled to the stent so that a flat, bottom edge of the cuff lies adjacent the proximal end of the stent. A pattern of stitches may be circumferentially disposed around the flat bottom edge of the cuff, the pattern of stitches alternating between stitches sewn to the cuff only and stitches sewn to both the cuff and the stent.

An automated system that can be used for prosthetic heart valve manufacturing or suturing procedures. The system can include a first automated fixture that includes an articulating arm and a target device holder. The system can also include one or more additional automated fixtures, which can be configured as one or more suturing arms that include another articulating arm and a needle holder. The first automated fixture can be configured to rotate a target device held by the holder to allow the one or more additional automated fixtures to perform operations such as form sutures on the target device without intervention of a human operator. The system can include a display system configured to display status information of a suturing procedure.

A system for treating valvular regurgitation in a heart valve includes a flexible canopy and an elongated tether including an elastic portion and an inelastic portion. When the system is in a deployed configuration, a proximal end of the flexible canopy is coupled to an annulus of the heart valve and a distal end of the elongated tether is coupled to a ventricle. The flexible canopy is configured to overlay a first native leaflet of the heart valve, and tension on the elongated tether is applied and/or adjusted to prevent the first leaflet from prolapsing, to maximize coaptation of the flexible canopy with a second native leaflet of the heart valve, and to minimize regurgitation of the heart valve.

A method for grouping prosthetic valve leaflets of an aggregate of prosthetic valve leaflets is provided. Using a computer processor, for each leaflet of the aggregate, in response to an image parameter of the leaflet, a leaflet-flexibility value is derived. A group size value is provided to the processor. Using the processor, at least some of the leaflets of the aggregate are designated into leaflet groups, based on similarity between the respective leaflet-flexibility value of each leaflet of the aggregate. Each of the leaflet groups includes a number of leaflets equal to the group size value. Using the processor, an indication of the designated leaflet groups is outputted. Other embodiments are also described.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to storage assemblies including at least part of a delivery device and an implant. The storage assemblies are configured to trap sterilizing ethylene oxide gas using its high water solubility and converting the escaped ethylene oxide to less detrimental ethylene glycol and ethylene chlorohydrin to protect the implant from damage. In one example, the storage assembly includes an inner container housing the implant and sterilizing fluid and an outer container positioned over the inner container, wherein the outer container is at least partially filled with aqueous water. The implant may be a prosthetic heart valve. Aspects of the disclosure also relate to methods of sterilizing the storage assemblies of the disclosure.

A medical implant, such as a transcatheter deliverable endoprosthesis or a prosthetic heart valve including a stent-structure, one or more skirts and optionally a valve assembly. One or more skirts and/or the one or more leaflets include one or more laser markings that partially or fully penetrate a thickness of the one or more skirts and/or the one or more leaflets. The laser marks are preferably sufficiently big to be optically visible at the surface of the outer skirt by an operator during a sewing process. Each laser marking may be used for suturing, wherein the reduced material thickness eases the suturing/sewing process without compromising the structural integrity of the material of the outer skirt (e.g. a biological tissue

A valve prosthesis and methods for implanting the prosthesis are provided. The prosthesis generally includes a self-expanding frame and two or more engagement arms. A valve prosthesis is sutured to the self-expanding frame. Each engagement arm corresponds to a native mitral valve leaflet. At least one engagement arm immobilizes the native leaflets, and holds the native leaflets close to the main frame. The prosthetic mitral valve frame also includes two or more anchor attachment points. Each anchor attachment point is attached to one or more anchors that help attach the valve prosthesis to the heart.

A prosthetic valve prosthesis including a stent body and a valve leaflet assembly is disclosed. The stent body includes a first stent and a second stent. The first stent is provided with a connecting end. The second stent includes several stent rods, and the several stent rods are fixed to the connecting end of the first stent respectively. The valve leaflet assembly is provided with a first valve leaflet fixing portion, and the valve leaflet assembly is fixed to the connecting end of the first stent by the first valve leaflet fixing portion.

The present invention describes systems and methods for treating mitral valve regurgitation. The treatment includes a systems and method of modifying the mitral valve by attaching a device to each leaflet and pulling them toward each other to stop mitral valve regurgitation.