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.

The present invention relates to implantable endoluminal prosthesis for preventing stroke. The endoluminal prosthesis (1) consists of a braided framework (20) defining a cylindrical lumen (21) devoid of impermeable membrane. Said braided framework (20) is self-expandable comprising a plurality of layers (22, 23, 24) of wires (25) made of biocompatible material. Each layer forms a mesh. The meshes form a lattice with a plurality of wires (2) of given layers (22, 23, 24). The lattice defines polygonal opening units (26) when observed normal to a wall of the implantable endoluminal prosthesis (1). The diameter (Ø.sub.25) of wire (25) being at least 30 μm and at most 150 μm, the mean diameter (Ø.sub.27) of the inscribed circle (27) of the polygonal opening units (26) being at least 75 μm and at most 200 μm in fully expanded state. The braided framework (20) consists of at least 128 and at most 512 wires (25). The ratio (T.sub.1/Ø.sub.25) of the thickness (T.sub.1) of a wall of said implantable endoluminal prosthesis (1) to the diameter (Ø.sub.25) of wire (25) is at least 3.0. In a fully expanded state, the surface coverage ratio (SCR) of said braided framework (20) is more than 50% and less than 90%.

A collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes a stent and a valve assembly. The stent includes an annulus section and at least one foldable section. The stent is movable between an unfolded condition in which the foldable section is longitudinally spaced from the annulus section, and a folded condition in which the foldable section is at least partially positioned radially adjacent the annulus section. The valve assembly is positioned within the annulus section of the stent in the folded condition of the stent.

An elongate delivery shaft assembly (30) includes an outer covering shaft (38) and an inner support shaft (40). When the delivery shaft assembly (30) is unconstrained and a stent-graft (20) is removably constrained in a radially-compressed delivery state along a distal end portion (34) of the delivery shaft assembly (30), radially between the outer covering shaft (38) and the inner support shaft (40): (a) the delivery shaft assembly (30) is shaped so as to define a self-orienting portion (50), which (i) is shaped so as to define at least proximal and distal curved portions (52A, 52B), the proximal curved portion (52A) disposed more proximal than the distal curved portion (52B), and (ii) at least one point of inflection (53) on a central longitudinal axis (36) of the delivery shaft assembly (30) longitudinally between the proximal and the distal curved portions (52A, 52B), and (b) respective smallest radii of curvature of the proximal and the distal curved portions (52A, 52B), measured at the central longitudinal axis (36), are each between 2.5 and 12 cm.

A replacement heart valve can have an expandable frame configured to engage a native valve annulus. A valve body can be mounted onto the expandable frame to provide functionality similar to a natural valve. The valve body has an upstream end and a downstream end, and a diameter at the downstream end is greater than a diameter at the upstream end.

A blood filter extraction system for extracting a blood filter from within a blood vessel. The system includes an extraction wire, or plurality of such wires, positioned within an elongated tubular member. A plurality of extraction wires coupled to the distal end of the extraction member each include a hook for engaging filter members. Alternatively, the extraction wires may be one or more wires configured in a helical shape which engage filter members when the extraction member is rotated. The system may also include an elongated tubular member with the distal end having a conical shape. To extract a filter, the extraction wires are then pushed out of the tubular member and into the filter members. The extraction member is then withdrawn or rotated so the wires engage and draw in the filter members, after which the catheter is pushed over the conical portion of the tubular member.

A prosthetic heart valve includes a stent having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition. The stent includes a plurality of cells, each cell being formed by a plurality of struts, and a plurality of commissure features. The heart valve further includes a valve assembly secured to the stent and including a cuff and a plurality of leaflets, each leaflet being attached to adjacent commissure features and to the stent struts and/or the cuff.

A replacement heart valve can have an expandable frame configured to engage a native valve annulus. A valve body can be mounted onto the expandable frame to provide functionality similar to a natural valve. The valve body has an upstream end and a downstream end, and a diameter at the downstream end is greater than a diameter at the upstream end.

An example medical device for treating a body lumen is disclosed. The medical device includes an expandable scaffold including first and second regions, each of the first and second regions include a plurality of interstices located therein. The medical device also includes a covering spanning each of the plurality of interstices of the first region. The second region is free of the covering. A biodegradable gripping material is disposed on an outer surface of the covering. Further, the expandable scaffold is configured to shift from a collapsed state to an expanded state and the second region is configured to contact an inner surface of the body lumen in the expanded state. Additionally, the gripping material is designed to initially prevent migration of the expandable scaffold upon implantation in the body lumen until the second region is secured to the inner surface of the body lumen.

A coupling device, set to be linked to an interventional delivery system, for coupling and releasing a medical implant. The coupling device comprises a generally tubular channel sized and shaped to be conducted in an intravascular catheter and a pivot extended in and along the generally tubular channel having a distal end comprising a lower surface for applying pushing force a medical implant and an upper surface, mounted above the lower generally tubular surface and having at least one niche for receiving at least one anchoring element of the medical element so that a tip of each the anchoring element is placed between the lower and upper surfaces.