A hybrid prosthetic heart valve configured to replace a native heart valve and having a support frame configured to be expanded post implant in order to receive and/or support an expandable prosthetic heart valve therein (a valve-in-valve procedure). The prosthetic heart valve may be configured to have a generally rigid and/or expansion-resistant configuration when initially implanted to replace a native valve (or other prosthetic heart valve), but to assume a generally expanded form when subjected to an outward force such as that provided by a dilation balloon or other mechanical expander. An inflow stent frame is expandable for anchoring the valve in place, and may have an outflow end that is collapsible for delivery and expandable post-implant to facilitate a valve-in-valve procedure.

A hydraulic muscle comprises a hollow carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn tube comprising: a plurality of CNT sheets twisted and wrapped in form of a hollow tube; and a binding agent infiltrated in the plurality of CNT sheets that binds the plurality of the CNT sheets together. A method of manufacturing a hydraulic muscle comprises: twisting and wrapping a plurality of carbon nanotube (CNT) sheets around a core fiber; infiltrating a binding agent in between the plurality of CNT sheets, wherein the binding agent binds the plurality of the CNT sheets together; and removing the core fiber from the plurality of CNT sheets.

An introducer sheath can be used to safely introduce a delivery apparatus into a patient’s vasculature (e.g., via the femoral artery). It is advantageous to visualize the placement of an introducer sheath within the vasculature using an imaging system. The sheaths disclosed herein include radiopaque features that assist with imaging without sacrificing the low profile, expandability, and other advantageous aspects of the introducer sheath.

A method for deploying a medical device such as a heart valve to a desired location in a blood vessel comprising first deploying a tubular filter adjacent to at least one tributary vessel location with a filter deployment member, disengaging said deployment member and removing it, inserting an expandable sheath into the blood vessel, passing a medical device through said sheath to deploy its removing said sheath and removing said filter.

The methods disclosed herein of generating three-dimensional lattice structures and reducing stress shielding have applications including use in medical implants. One method of generating a three-dimensional lattice structure can be used to generate a structure lattice and/or a lattice scaffold to support bone or tissue growth. One method of reducing stress shielding includes generating a structural lattice to provide sole mechanical spacing across an area for desired bone or tissue growth. Some examples can use a repeating modified rhombic dodecahedron or radial dodeca-rhombus unit cell. Some methods are also capable of providing a lattice structure with anisotropic properties to better suit the lattice for its intended purpose.

A composite scaffold having a highly porous interior with increased surface area and void volume is surrounded by a flexible support structure that substantially maintains its three-dimensional shape under tension and provides mechanical reinforcement during repair or reconstruction of soft tissue while simultaneously facilitating regeneration of functional tissue.

An endovascular stent graft. The endovascular stent graft includes a body including a gate having an internal surface, a joining liner joined to the internal surface of the gate with a joint and having a bunched state and a crumpled state, and an implant at least partially disposed within the joining liner and having a radially compressed state and a radially expanded state. The implant in the radially expanded state exerts a radial force on the joining liner to maintain the joining liner in the crumpled state.

A transcatheter valve assembly replacement device includes a paravalvular seal that includes outwardly extending fibers that create a seal with the annulus when the valve assembly is deployed. An inwardly extending seal is attached to an outer frame. The inwardly extending seal is engaged with prosthetic valve leaflets.

Methods and devices that prevent stasis in the LAA by either increasing the flow through the LAA or by closing off or sealing the LAA. Increasing the flow is accomplished through shunts, flow diverters, agitators, or by increasing the size of the ostium. Closing off the LAA is accomplished using seals or by cinching the LAA.

A composite scaffold having a highly porous interior with increased surface area and void volume is surrounded by a flexible support structure that substantially maintains its three-dimensional shape under tension and provides mechanical reinforcement during repair or reconstruction of soft tissue while simultaneously facilitating regeneration of functional tissue.