A stent is disclosed that has an elongated body composed of a bioabsorbable polymer having a proximal end, a distal end, two open spiral channels formed on the exterior surface of the body to provide fluid communication between the proximal end and the distal end. The stent also has a central lumen open at the proximal and distal ends of the stent for the passage of a guide wire. A method for using the stent and a kit containing the stent are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to an anti-reflux valve for preventing gastro-esophageal reflux disease and includes a body formed in a ring shape and fixed to an upper end of a gastro-esophagus; a reflux blocking plate coupled to an inner circumferential surface of the body to be rotatable in one direction; and a fixing clip coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the body to fix the body to the upper end of the gastro-esophagus.

A prosthetic heart valve is designed to be circumferentially collapsible for less invasive delivery into the patient. At the implant site the valve re-expands to a larger circumferential size, i.e., the size that it has for operation as a replacement for one of the patient's native heart valves. The valve includes structures that, at the implant site, extend radially outwardly to engage tissue structures above and below the native heart valve annulus. These radially outwardly extending structures clamp the native tissue between them and thereby help to anchor the prosthetic valve at the desired location in the patient.

A method for treating a native valve of a human heart having a native annulus and native leaflets includes positioning a capsule of a delivery device proximate a native heart valve. The method further includes partially deploying a prosthetic heart valve device from the capsule such that an inflow region of a valve support and an inflow region of a fixation structure are radially expanded. A portion of the prosthetic heart valve device remains coupled to the delivery device while a gap exists between a downstream end of a prosthetic valve disposed within the valve support and a distal terminus of the capsule such that fluid can flow through the prosthetic valve with the prosthetic heart valve device partially deployed. The method may further include recapturing the prosthetic heart valve device within the capsule.

A percutaneous heart valve prosthesis including a collapsible valve body frame has a first end and a second end. The valve body frame is formed by a plurality of sub-frame members, each sub-frame member having a general form of a diamond with acute-angled vertices and oblique-angled vertices, wherein adjacent sub-frame members are joined at the oblique-angled vertices. A flexible skirt made from pericardial material extends around a periphery of the valve body frame. A one-way valve including a plurality of flexible valve leaflets is positioned within the valve body frame. The first end of the valve body frame is sized to pass through a valve orifice associated with a heart valve to be replaced and the second end of the valve body frame is sized so as not to pass through a valve orifice.

A medical appliance or prosthesis may comprise one or more layers of rotational spun nanofibers, including rotational spun polymers. The rotational spun material may comprise layers including layers of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Rotational spun nanofiber mats of certain porosities may permit tissue ingrowth into or attachment to the prosthesis. Additionally, one or more cuffs may be configured to allow tissue ingrowth to anchor the prosthesis.

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 luminal endoprosthesis assembly (1) at least partially delimits a prosthesis lumen (2), for implantation in an anatomical structure (3) that at least partially defines at least one cavity (4) and includes at least one pathological portion (13). The luminal endoprosthesis (1) has two or more layers (5, 6, 7). At least one layer (5, 6, 7) includes a threadlike element (8) forming an armor (9). The luminal endoprosthesis (1) includes an anchoring portion (10) for anchoring to an anatomical portion (11) of the walls of the cavity (4) of the anatomical structure (3), and a working portion (12) for facing the pathological portion (13) of the anatomical structure (3). The two or more layers (5, 6, 7) are separated from each other in the working portion (12) of the luminal endoprosthesis (1), avoiding connecting elements between one layer (5, 6, 7) and at least one adjacent layer.

A compressible and expandable stent assembly for implantation in a body lumen such as a mitral valve, the stent assembly including at least one stent barrel that is shaped and sized so that it allows for normal operation of adjacent heart structures. One or more stent barrels can be included in the stent assembly, where one or more of the stent barrels can include a cylinder with a tapered edge.

An embolic filter is disclosed and can include a head. A plurality of bent legs can extend from the head. Each bent leg can be configured to engage an inner wall of a vein and prevent the embolic filter from migrating in a cranial direction. A plurality of straight legs can also extend from the head. Each straight leg can be configured to prevent the embolic filter from migrating in a caudal direction.