A method for determining whether a medical device is appropriate for implanting into a cardiovascular conduit of a patient is disclosed comprising imaging a first section of the conduit of the patient into which the medical device is to be implanted during a first expanded state occurring at a first portion of a heart rhythm; reimaging the first section of the conduit of the patient during a first contracted state occurring at a second portion of the heart rhythm; deriving, from the imaging and the reimaging, dimensional characteristics of the first section of the conduit; and determining whether the medical device is appropriate for implantation in the first section of conduit based on the derived dimensional characteristics. The first section of the conduit includes a sizing device providing a selected radial force on the patient.

A sizing tool for use in implanting a composite valved conduit having a prosthetic heart valve on a distal end attached to a conduit graft that extends to a proximal end. The tool includes a proximal handle and a distal shaft, a prosthetic heart valve sizer having an axis affixed to a distal end of the shaft, and a conduit graft replica having an axis mounted on the shaft proximal to the heart valve sizer. A method of securing a composite valved conduit includes introducing to an excised ascending aorta the sizing tool, measuring the aortic annulus with the prosthetic heart valve sizer, and determining whether the coronary arteries have sufficient length or whether an additional tubular coronary extension segment is required to add to one or both of the ends of the coronary arteries by extending the coronary arteries toward the conduit graft replica.

A training kit is provided for practicing aortic valve reconstruction. The aortic valve reconstruction training kit is provided with a blood vessel model and multiple valve leaflet models, and the blood vessel model has a base-capped or base-uncapped cylindrical form having an opening formed on at least the top part thereof. The blood vessel model also has a valve ring part which is formed in the middle of the cylinder and to which the valve leaflet models can be sutured. By using the training kit, it becomes possible to practice a suturing technique that is believed to be the most difficult in aortic valve reconstruction, namely, a technique of accurately suturing a new valve leaflet to a valve ring part, to which an abnormal valve leaflet has been attached, of a cylindrical aorta while viewing the inside of the aorta from above.

A device for measuring heart valve for sizing a heart valve reinforcement ring, includes a handle having a first shaft and a second shaft; an inner ring coupled to the first shaft; an outer ring coupled to the second shaft; and a trigger mechanism configured and arranged to force the inner ring and outer ring together wherein an outer surface of the inner ring engages an inner surface of the outer ring; the inner surface of the outer ring and the outer surface of the inner ring having reciprocal mating surfaces configured and arranged to grip sutures therebetween when coupled together.

Medical systems are described herein. More particularly, the disclosure relates to medical systems, methods, and kits useful in providing the diameter of a balloon during the performance of a procedure. An exemplary medical system comprises a balloon catheter, an inflation device, and a measuring device having one or more indicia. Each indicium of the one or more indicia has a form that corresponds to the nominal value of a balloon diameter.

A method and system for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) planning is disclosed. An anatomical surface model of the aortic valve is estimated from medical image data of a patient. Calcified lesions within the aortic valve are segmented in the medical image data. A combined volumetric model of the aortic valve and calcified lesions is generated. A 3D printed model of the heart valve and calcified lesions is created using a 3D printer. Different implant device types and sizes can be placed into the 3D printed model of the aortic valve and calcified lesions to select an implant device type and size for the patient for a TAVI procedure. The method can be similarly applied to other heart valves for any type of heart valve intervention planning.

A system for detecting the dimensions and geometry of a native valve annulus for trans-catheter valve implantation includes a compliant balloon and a shaft within the balloon. One or more drive electrodes may be affixed to a surface of the balloon, and one or more sense electrodes may be affixed to the shaft. After insertion of the balloon into the native valve annulus, the drive electrodes may be energized with a predetermined voltage. Using a trained statistical model and the voltages measured at the sense electrodes, initial estimates of the cross-section of the valve annulus may be obtained. The initial estimates may then be provided to an optimization model of the valve annulus to obtain a highly accurate prediction of the cross-section of the valve annulus.

A prosthetic heart valve reinforcement ring is disclosed for reinforcing a natural heart valve with leaflets. The prosthetic ring includes a ring body sized and dimensioned to fit around the annulus of the heart valve. The ring body has an inner surface with a plurality of grooves on the inner surface of the ring body, where each of grooves is configured to grasp a suture. A method of reinforcing a natural heart valve is also disclosed. Sutures are provided around an annulus of a natural heart valve with leaflets. A prosthetic ring is selected that is sized to fit around the annulus. The prosthetic ring is attached to the annulus by inserting sutures into the grooves until the leaflets are properly closed. The fit of the prosthetic ring is adjusted by individually manipulating the sutures in the grooves. The sutures are tied, securing the prosthetic ring in place.

A device for measuring an internal dimension of a native cardiac valve annulus includes an elongated support member having a proximal portion and a distal portion. A measuring portion is coupled to the distal portion, and an indicator is coupled to the proximal portion of the support member. The measuring portion is biased towards a deployed configuration such that when deployed it applies an outwardly directed radial force to the native valve annulus.

A sizing device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent. The stent has an annulus section at a first end with a first diameter and an aortic section at a second end with a second diameter. The second diameter is greater than the first diameter, and the first end and the second end are disposed at opposite sides of the stent. A sensor is coupled adjacent the first diameter of the stent and is capable of collecting information related to stiffness of a native valve annulus by contacting portions of the native valve annulus. A method for determining the fitment of a prosthetic heart valve within a native valve annulus is also provided.