The present invention relates to devices, assemblies and methods for monitoring radial expansion of a prosthetic valve during prosthetic valve implantation procedures.

Methods are described herein for delivering a replacement valve to a native valve location. In one method, ventricular anchors of the replacement valve are released and allowed to reverse orientation while positioned in the atrium of a human heart. After reversing orientation, the ventricular anchors extend in a generally proximal direction. The ventricular anchors can then be advanced through the annulus into the ventricle and then moved back toward the atrium to capture native valve leaflets between the main body and the ventricular anchors of the replacement valve. In one modification, the ventricular anchors are allowed to reverse orientation at a level adjacent the annulus. The implantation methods described herein are preferably performed via a transseptal delivery approach or a transapical delivery approach.

A prosthetic heart valve for replacement of a native heart valve having a native valve annulus includes a stent body having a proximal end adjacent an inflow end and a distal end adjacent an outflow end and including an annulus section, the stent body having a radially collapsed condition and a radially expanded condition, one or more prosthetic valve elements mounted to the stent body and operative to allow flow in an antegrade direction from the inflow end to the outflow end but to substantially block flow in a retrograde direction from the outflow end to the inflow end, a cuff coupled to the stent body, the cuff having a mobile portion that is moveable relative to the stent body, and at least one engagement element remote from the stent body.

A device for implanting a heart prosthesis including a central body, a containment portion having one or more sub-components, and a release device for the central body capable of being inserted into a catheter. A device for assisting the connection operation between the central body and the sub-components of the containment portion includes an assembly of catheters, of which there are at least two catheters for each sub-component of the containment portion, the catheters being joined to each other over a portion thereof and having at least one free end for each catheter.

Aspects of an expandable sheath can be used in conjunction with a catheter assembly to introduce a prosthetic device, such as a heart valve, into a patient. Such aspects can minimize trauma to the vessel by allowing for temporary expansion of a portion of the introducer sheath to accommodate the delivery apparatus, followed by a return to the original diameter once the prosthetic device passes through. Some aspects can include a sheath with a variable diameter inner liner wound in a spiral slidable configuration and an outer layer. The disclosed sheath is configured to expand from a predetermined rest diameter d.sub.r to an expanded diameter d.sub.e during application of a radial outward force by passage of a medical device through the sheath.

A device comprising a first stent, a plurality of flexible links coupled to the first stent, a plurality of compliant links, each compliant link coupled to at least one of the flexible links, a second stent coupled to the plurality of compliant links, wherein the plurality of flexible links and the plurality of compliant links are configured to steer one or more of the first stent and the second stent in a plurality of degrees of freedom.

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.

Devices, systems, and methods for crimping a medical device are disclosed. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for reducing the diameter of a collapsible heart valve prosthesis to be loaded onto a delivery device. The devices, systems, and methods using at least one funnel to crimp the heart valve prosthesis and load it onto the delivery system.

A transcatheter system is disclosed, which includes a delivery sheath, a delivery system coupled to an implant and received by the delivery sheath, and a manipulation system. The manipulation system includes a manipulation device. The manipulation device includes an elongate portion that is extendable and retractable within the delivery sheath and an engaging portion extending from the elongate portion. The engaging portion is coupled to an internal bodily structure to be manipulated, and the manipulation system is received by the delivery sheath such that the engaging portion is extendable from the delivery sheath independently from the implant.

Devices, systems, and methods for treating a blood flow passage are disclosed herein. For example, expandable devices of the present technology may comprise a stent having a collapsed configuration for delivery through a delivery device to a treatment site in a body conduit and an expanded configuration. The stent may comprise a plurality of struts and longitudinally extending first and second spines configured to move in opposing axial directions as the stent expands. Each of the struts may extend between and connect one of the first spines and one of the second spines. Moving the first spines axially relative to the second spines may cause the struts to push circumferentially adjacent spines to move away from one another, thereby increasing a diameter of the stent.