Methods and devices that prevent stasis in the LAA by either increasing the flow through the LAA or by closing off or sealing the LAA. Increasing the flow is accomplished through shunts, flow diverters, agitators, or by increasing the size of the ostium. Closing off the LAA is accomplished using seals or by cinching the LAA.

A blood filter having a support structure and a filter structure. Various embodiments of the filtering assemblies may be utilized as a temporary implant or a permanent implant. The support structure, which serves as an anchor for the blood filter may define a larger porosity. The filter structure may define a smaller porosity, the smaller pores of which prevent emboli from passing therethrough. The support and filter structures may be made separately and assembled. In some embodiments, the filter structure actively slides on the support structure to accommodate the collapsing and deployment of the filter assembly. In some embodiments, a polymer film is selectively applied to the filter structure to provide a more uniform porosity over an outer bend radius of the filter structure. In some embodiments, the filter assembly is shaped to conform to the contours of the aortic arch while enabling self-cleaning of the filter structure.

Methods and devices that prevent stasis in the LAA by either increasing the flow through the LAA or by closing off or sealing the LAA. Increasing the flow is accomplished through shunts, flow diverters, agitators, or by increasing the size of the ostium. Closing off the LAA is accomplished using seals or by cinching the LAA.

Soft tissue grafts, packaged soft tissue grafts, and methods of making and using soft tissue grafts are disclosed. One soft tissue graft includes processed tissue material having first and second opposed surfaces. The first and second opposed surfaces are bounded by first and second edges. The first edge has a concave shape that curves toward the second edge. The second edge has a convex shape that curves away from the first edge. The first surface comprises a plurality of apertures. At least one of the apertures is formed from a multi-directional separation in the first surface. One method of making a soft tissue graft includes positioning a cutting die on a surface of tissue material, pressing the cutting die into the tissue material to cut the tissue material, and processing the cut tissue material to create processed tissue material.

Described embodiments are directed toward centrally-opening leaflet prosthetic valve devices having a leaflet frame and a mechanically coupled leaflet. The described leaflet frames have projections that are configured to couple with a leaflet attachment region of a leaflet. Some embodiments include a leaflet retention feature that engages the leaflet frame projections and operates to secure the leaflet to the leaflet frame. Methods of making and using such prosthetic valve devices are also described.

Annuloplasty prosthesis device (1), which is suitable for remodeling a native annulus (2), comprises a body having the shape of at least one ring portion defining a longitudinal direction, coinciding with or locally parallel to the longitudinal development direction of said body; said portion (5) being opposite to said first arcuate section (4), and the body comprises a first arcuate section (4) and at least a second segment (5); said first arcuate section (4) is flexible in a first direction, locally transverse to the longitudinal direction, so as to be deformable under flexion along said first direction; said first arcuate section (4) defines a plane of storage substantially parallel both to the longitudinal direction and to the first direction; said at least a second section (5) is rigid under flexion in said plane of storage (XY); said second section (5) is flexible in a second direction (ZZ), transverse to the plane of storage, so as to be deformable under flexion along said second direction.

A stent according to the invention includes: a strut extending in a predetermined direction; a first protrusion provided on the strut, the first protrusion being substantially L-shaped and extending in a direction away from the strut and in a direction toward a distal side in the predetermined direction; a second protrusion that is provided on the strut and located distal to the first protrusion, the second protrusion being substantially L-shaped, extending in a direction away from the strut and in a direction toward a proximal side in the predetermined direction, and having a tip spaced apart from a tip of the first protrusion; and an opaque member being substantially tubular and highly opaque to radiation, the opaque member having two end portions in which the first and second protrusions are inserted, respectively.

A prosthesis for attachment to an external surface of a trachea and support a membranous portion of the trachea is disclosed. The prosthesis includes a first member, a second member and a biasing member engaged with the first member and the second member. The first member has at least one first tooth adapted to be inserted inside the membranous portion. The second member is movably coupled to the first member and includes at least one second tooth disposed substantially opposite to the at least one first tooth. The at least second tooth is configured to be inserted inside the membranous portion. The biasing member biases the first member relative to the second member to a first position. The first member and the second member are disposed away from the first position when engaged with the trachea applying a tension force on the membranous portion.

A blood filter device having occlusion-resistant characteristics. The occlusion-resistant characteristics decrease the likelihood of the filter being blocked by thrombi. The filter device includes at least one anchor portion for anchoring the filter device within one or more arteries, and a filter portion for filtering thrombi from the blood entering the artery. In some embodiments, an anchor portion is capped with a filter cap. In various embodiments, the filter cap is protrudes into the aorta to promote occlusion resistance. In one embodiment, the device can be modified in situ to re-establish normal blood flow through the artery in the unlikely case of thrombotic or other blockage of the filter. In some embodiments, a bypass opening or open channel defining an access port is provided to accommodate passage of surgical instruments into the artery and to enable blood flow to bypass the filter should the filter become heavily occluded.

A blood filter device having occlusion-resistant characteristics. The occlusion-resistant characteristics decrease the likelihood of the filter being blocked by thrombi. The filter device includes at least one anchor portion for anchoring the filter device within one or more arteries, and a filter portion for filtering thrombi from the blood entering the artery. In some embodiments, an anchor portion is capped with a filter cap. In various embodiments, the filter cap is protrudes into the aorta to promote occlusion resistance. In one embodiment, the device can be modified in situ to re-establish normal blood flow through the artery in the unlikely case of thrombotic or other blockage of the filter. In some embodiments, a bypass opening or open channel defining an access port is provided to accommodate passage of surgical instruments into the artery and to enable blood flow to bypass the filter should the filter become heavily occluded.