An implant delivery system including a catheter having a delivery lumen; a pusher member slidably disposed in the catheter delivery lumen; a retaining member coupled to a distal end portion of the pusher member, the retaining member configured to retain an expandable implant in a collapsed configuration on the pusher member for delivery of the implant through the catheter delivery lumen; and an expandable actuator coupled to the distal end portion of the pusher member and operatively associated with the retaining member, wherein expansion of the actuator causes the retaining member to disengage from an implant carried on the pusher member, to thereby allow the implant to expand from the collapsed configuration.

An implant delivery system including a catheter having a delivery lumen; a pusher member slidably disposed in the catheter delivery lumen; a retaining member coupled to a distal end portion of the pusher member, the retaining member configured to retain an expandable implant in a collapsed configuration on the pusher member for delivery of the implant through the catheter delivery lumen; and an expandable actuator coupled to the distal end portion of the pusher member and operatively associated with the retaining member, wherein expansion of the actuator causes the retaining member to disengage from an implant carried on the pusher member, to thereby allow the implant to expand from the collapsed configuration.

A system for medical device deployment includes an optical shape sensing (OSS) system (104) associated with a deployable medical device (102) or a deployment instrument (107). The OSS system is configured to measure shape, position or orientation of the deployable medical device and/or deployment instrument. A registration module (128) is configured to register OSS data with imaging data to permit placement of the deployable medical device. An image processing module (142) is configured to create a visual representation (102′) of the deployable medical device and to jointly display the deployable medical device with the imaging data.

A delivery apparatus for implanting a radially compressible and expandable prosthetic heart valve in a native heart valve of the heart includes a handle portion and an elongated shaft extending from and movable relative to the handle portion. The shaft includes a proximal end portion coupled to the handle portion and a distal end portion configured to mount a prosthetic heart valve in a radially compressed state. The handle portion includes a control member movable longitudinally with respect to the handle portion, the control member engaging a gear assembly operable to convert longitudinal motion of the control member to rotational motion of the gear assembly. The gear assembly engages the elongated shaft such that rotational motion of the gear assembly causes corresponding longitudinal motion of the elongated shaft relative to the handle portion.

A prosthetic heart valve includes a frame, a valve, and an expansion element. The frame is movable between contracted and expanded configurations and includes first struts and second struts non-hingedly coupled together. The second struts are configured to pivot relative to the first struts as the frame moves between the contracted and expanded configurations. The valve is coupled to the frame and includes leaflets. The expansion element extends through a lumen of the first struts. The expansion element is slidable relative to the lumen of the first struts and is configured to move the frame incrementally from the contracted configuration and the expanded configuration and from the expanded configuration to the contracted configuration.

A prosthetic heart valve includes a frame, a valve, and an expansion element. The frame is movable between contracted and expanded configurations and includes first struts and second struts non-hingedly coupled together. The second struts are configured to pivot relative to the first struts as the frame moves between the contracted and expanded configurations. The valve is coupled to the frame and includes leaflets. The expansion element extends through a lumen of the first struts. The expansion element is slidable relative to the lumen of the first struts and is configured to move the frame incrementally from the contracted configuration and the expanded configuration and from the expanded configuration to the contracted configuration.

A device retention assembly includes a delivery system and a device retention mechanism retaining the delivery system. The device retention mechanism includes a tray, a base coupled to the tray, and retaining flanges pivotally coupled to the base. The delivery system is enclosed within an opening defined by the base and retaining flanges. A key locks the device retention mechanism in the closed position retaining the delivery system. The key must be removed to unlock the device retention mechanism to release the delivery system.

An insertion system and a method for protecting an insertion device, for example, a needle, a catheter, a stent, etc., from infection and/or damage before, and/or during, and/or after insertion of the insertion device into an insertion site, are provided. The insertion system includes a hub or an introducer sheath with a hub, the insertion device, and an insertion device protection apparatus. The insertion device protection apparatus includes at least two elongate protective covers detachably engaged to each other and defining a channel extending through a length of the insertion device protection apparatus for enclosing the insertion device therewithin before, and/or during, and/or after inserting the insertion device into the insertion site. The elongate protective covers are progressively disengaged from each other from a proximal end and/or a distal end of the insertion device protection apparatus before, and/or during, and/or after insertion of the insertion device into the insertion site.

An insertion system and a method for protecting an insertion device, for example, a needle, a catheter, a stent, etc., from infection and/or damage before, and/or during, and/or after insertion of the insertion device into an insertion site, are provided. The insertion system includes a hub or an introducer sheath with a hub, the insertion device, and an insertion device protection apparatus. The insertion device protection apparatus includes at least two elongate protective covers detachably engaged to each other and defining a channel extending through a length of the insertion device protection apparatus for enclosing the insertion device therewithin before, and/or during, and/or after inserting the insertion device into the insertion site. The elongate protective covers are progressively disengaged from each other from a proximal end and/or a distal end of the insertion device protection apparatus before, and/or during, and/or after insertion of the insertion device into the insertion site.

A medical stent having a first end, a second end, and a central longitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end, may include a plurality of first filaments each extending in a first helical path around the central longitudinal axis in a first direction and a plurality of second filaments each extending in a second helical path around the central longitudinal axis in a second direction. The plurality of first filaments may be interwoven with the plurality of second filaments. The first helical path of at least one of the plurality of first filaments may include a circumferential offset disposed between the first end and the second end.