A transcatheter delivery system including an expandable transition element is disclosed. As one example, an assembly may comprise a prosthetic valve and a delivery device. The delivery device may comprise an outer shaft with a distal end portion forming a sheath adapted to enclose the prosthetic valve therein in a radially compressed configuration; an inner shaft arranged within the outer shaft and including a nosecone arranged at a distal end of the inner shaft, the nosecone arranged outside of the outer shaft, at the distal end portion of the outer shaft; and an expandable transition element adapted to expand from a non-expanded state within the outer shaft to an expanded state outside the outer shaft, wherein, in the expanded state, the transition element forms a continuous transition from the nosecone to the prosthetic valve when the sheath is moved away from the nosecone to uncover the prosthetic valve.

Expandable docking stations for docking an expandable valve can include a valve seat, one or more sealing portions, and/or one or more retaining portions. The valve seat can include radiopaque markers affixed to a frame or an impermeable member. The radiopaque markers can indicate a deployment location of the valve. The docking stations can be deployed from a catheter including one or more radiopaque markers. Relative positioning of two or more radiopaque markers can provide an indication of the amount of deployment of the docking station.

A 3-D honeycomb textile can include a textured yarn. The textile can exhibit a heat-shrinkage rate from about 10% to about 60%. The textile can be configured to reversibly change its dimensions under application of stress. Prosthetic valves can have the disclosed textiles as a sealing member. Additionally, prosthetic valves can the disclosed textiles as cushion materials. In addition, methods of making the disclosed textiles and prosthetic valves are described.

A device for treating a diseased native valve in a patient is provided, the device including a frame structure and a plurality of leaflets. The device can further include a spiral anchor configured to extend around an outer circumference of the frame structure. The anchor can be configured to deliver a contrast agent into or near a target tissue. Other embodiments and methods of use are also provided.

Apparatus and methods are described herein for a secondary valve apparatus that can be deployed within an existing implanted prosthetic heart valve. In some embodiments, a secondary prosthetic heart valve apparatus is implanted in series with an existing deteriorating implanted prosthetic valve. The secondary valve apparatus can restore proper valve function without disruption to the failing previously implanted valve. In some embodiments, the secondary valve apparatus can be positioned on an atrial portion of the existing valve, and be delivered transseptally. In other embodiments, the secondary valve apparatus can be positioned at a ventricular portion of the existing valve and delivered transapically. Devices and methods to prepare the existing valve to receive a secondary valve apparatus are also described herein. In some embodiments, a balloon expansion device can be used to expand an inner diameter of the existing valve to provide space for the secondary valve to be disposed.

A replacement heart valve implant may include an expandable framework configured to shift from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration, the expandable framework having an inflow end and an outflow end, a plurality of valve leaflets secured to the expandable framework, and a plurality of pockets secured to the expandable framework in a plurality of circumferential pocket rows. The plurality of pockets extends radially outward from the expandable framework to capture retrograde fluid flow around an exterior of the expandable framework within the plurality of pockets.

This application relates to methods, systems, and apparatus for replacing native heart valves with prosthetic heart valves and treating valvular insufficiency. In a representative embodiment, a support frame configured to be implanted in a heart valve comprises a main body formed by formed by a plurality of inner members forming an inner clover and a plurality of outer members forming an outer clover. The support frame can include gaps located between inner members of the plurality of inner members and outer members of the plurality of outer members. The inner clover can be radially inside the outer clover, and the outer clover can have larger dimensions than the inner clover. The support frames herein can be radially expandable and collapsible.

A method for replacing a native heart valve in need thereof comprises delivering to the native heart valve an apparatus comprising a valve member, a connecting member, and an anchor member suitable for anchoring the apparatus. The valve member reversibly moves between an open position and a closed position to augment or replace the function of the native valve leaflets, thereby reducing valve regurgitation. Some embodiments include a stent that is positioned in the native heart valve with the valve member disposed therein.

A prosthetic apparatus for implantation at a native valve complex includes a main body configured for placement within the native valve, at least one downstream arm and at least one upstream arm, each coupled to and disposed outside of the main body. The main body includes a compressed state for delivery and an expanded state. In the expanded state, a space exists between the downstream arm and an outer surface of the main body to receive an edge of a native valve leaflet. A portion of the downstream arm is configured to extend behind the received native leaflet and engage a downstream surface of the native valve complex while the edge of the received native leaflet is not engaged by the downstream arm. The upstream arm is configured to engage an upstream surface of the native valve complex at a location opposite the portion of the downstream arm.

The invention relates to a system for replacing a heart valve that is diseased owing to inflammation and/or an infection. The system has: a stent system with at least one expandable stent; and a replacement heart valve which is secured to the at least one stent and has at least two heart valve leaflets. The at least one stent has a coating with an antimicrobial substance or an antimicrobially effective carrier material, preferably on the inner side and/or the outer side.