A prosthesis introducer system may include an introducer. A trigger wire release mechanism and a restraining member may be positioned near the distal end of the introducer. The system may include first and second trigger wires, each including a proximal portion releasably coupleable to a portion of a prosthesis and a distal portion coupled to the trigger wire release mechanism. The second trigger wire may be engaged by the restraining member. Each of the first and second trigger wires may include a taut portion. The second trigger wire may include a slack portion extending distally from the taut portion and positioned distal of the restraining member. Upon actuation of the trigger wire release mechanism, the first trigger wire may be releasable from the prosthesis and the second trigger wire may be releasable subsequent to the release of the first trigger wire.

Apparatus and methods for facilitating deployment of an implantable medical device including a stent graft. A restraining device, such as cord or suture, holds at least the proximal end of the stent in a radially inwardly compressed configuration during delivery to a desired location within the lumen of a patient's vessel. Withdrawal of one or more trigger wires facilitates the release and removal of the restraining cord from the proximal end of the stent so as to allow the stent to become fully deployed within vessel.

The disclosure of the present application provides devices, systems, and methods for the prevention of stroke. In at least one embodiment of a device of the present application, the device comprises an extension portion sized and shaped to fit within an artery extending from an aortic arch, and a flange portion sized and shaped to prevent the device from advancing into the artery extending from the aortic arch in which the device may be positioned. In at least one embodiment of a system for preventing stroke of the present application, the system comprises a hypotube, a folder coupled to a distal end of the hypotube, a sleeve positioned circumferentially around the hypotube proximal to the folder, and a stent, wherein a first part of the stent may be positioned within the folder, and wherein a second part of the stent may be positioned within the sleeve.

A stent assembly (42) adapted for endoluminal placement by endovascular deployment for the treatment of a false lumen (10) associated with a vascular dissection. The stent assembly has a number of self expanding stents (35) connected together to define an elongate substantially cylindrical lumen wall engaging surface. The stents are adapted to provided pressure on the wall of the lumen adjacent to and extending away from a rupture. A deployment device (40) for the stent assembly includes a sheath (48) and a retention and release arrangement (50) to retain the proximal end (37) of the stent graft to the deployment device. Release of the stent assembly is by withdrawal of the sheath before release of its proximal end by the use of a trigger wire (54) of the retention and release arrangement.

The present disclosure describes medical devices comprising implantable expandable implants, such as stent-grafts. Such devices can comprise a constraining line. The constraining line can surround the proximal end of the expandable implant, and assist in positioning and deployment of the expandable implant within the body of the patient.

Aspects of the disclosure include delivery devices for transcatheter delivery of a cardiac implant. Delivery devices can include a handle assembly as well as a piston mount connected to the handle assembly and having a distal portion terminating at a nose cap. The distal portion includes a stop extending radially from and fixed to the distal portion. The delivery device further includes a capsule assembly including a biasing element for selectively sheathing the implant and a plurality of retraction members secured about a distal end of the biasing element to control deployment of the implant. In various examples, the biasing element is a helical compression spring and the implant is a prosthetic tricuspid heart valve. Methods of loading a delivery device and delivering an implant are also disclosed.

An implant delivery system may include an elongate shaft assembly including an implant holding portion including a proximal sheath and a distal sheath. The shaft assembly may include an outer tubular member coupled to the proximal sheath, an intermediate tubular member, and an inner shaft coupled to the distal sheath. The intermediate tubular member may include a joint movably coupling proximal and distal portions of the intermediate tubular member. A replacement heart valve system may further include a replacement heart valve implant and a guidewire. A method of deploying the implant may include advancing the delivery system to a native heart valve, shifting the proximal sheath from a first position to a second position, deflecting the distal portion of the intermediate tubular member relative to the proximal portion at the joint, and thereafter, shifting the distal sheath from a first position to a second position.

A replacement heart valve system includes an implant delivery subassembly couplable to an implant delivery system. The subassembly includes a first elongate shaft and a stent holder fixedly attached at a distal end of the first elongate shaft, a replacement heart valve implant, and a distal sheath disposed over a distal portion of the implant with a proximal portion of the implant disposed outside of the distal sheath in a pre-loaded configuration. The subassembly is initially physically separate from the delivery system in the pre-loaded configuration. A method of loading the implant into the replacement heart valve system includes positioning the subassembly adjacent to the delivery system, coupling the subassembly to the delivery system in the pre-loaded configuration, and thereafter shifting a proximal sheath of the delivery system over the proximal portion of the implant.

A heart valve prosthesis can be delivered within a native heart valve annulus using a delivery system that encases the heart valve prosthesis and sequentially permits expansion of a valve clasper and a lattice frame of the valve prosthesis. A sheath of the delivery system can be proximally retracted to permit the sinus locator to expand. Thereafter, a tubular member can be actuated to permit expansion of the lattice frame. Further, a clasper pusher of the delivery system, coupled to the tubular member, can be used to release a proximal portion of the sinus locator after release of the lattice frame. The delivery system can enable sinus locator engagement within the native annulus, sandwiching native valve leaflets between the expanded lattice frame and sinus locator, and thereafter permit disengagement of the sinus locator from the clasper pusher after the lattice frame expands.

A delivery device can deploy a heart valve prosthesis within a patient's native aortic valve. The valve prosthesis includes a self-expanding lattice frame coupled to a sinus locator. The delivery device includes a sheath configured to maintain the sinus locator in a collapsed position during advancement toward the native aortic valve sinus. The sheath can be proximally retracted relative to the sinus locator to permit partial radial expansion of a distal portion thereof to permit engagement of the sinus locator with the native aortic valve sinus. Thereafter, a tubular member, positioned distal to the sheath and holding the lattice frame in a collapsed position, can be distally advanced relative to the lattice frame to expose and permit expansion of the lattice frame. The expansion of the lattice frame within the sinus locator can thereby sandwich the native valve leaflets between the expanded lattice frame and the sinus locator.