In one embodiment, an expandable positioning device for improving the coaptation of heart valve leaflets is provided. The expandable positioning device can include one or more expandable members. A first expandable member extends below a leaflet in order to reposition the leaflet to improve coaptation with another leaflet. A second expandable member extends above a leaflet in order to secure the expandable delivery device at the implantation site. The expandable positioning device can include a neck that is inserted through the leaflet on which the device is implanted. The expandable positioning device can include a coupling member to releasably couple the device to a delivery device. One or more sealing members can be included in the expandable positioning device to maintain a desired level of expansion of the one or more expandable members.

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.

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.

A compliant scaffold incorporates a plurality of elongated apertures that form a geometric pattern enabling biaxial expansion or contraction. An elongated aperture has a pair of nodes located on opposing sides of the aperture and between a pair of antinodes located on the extended and opposing ends of the elongated aperture. A geometric pattern may have various geometric shapes, or tiles, between the plurality of apertures. The geometric tiles have a bounded perimeter formed by the plurality of elongated apertures. A substantial portion of the elongated apertures may be configured with the antinodes proximal to one of said pair of nodes of a separate elongated aperture; wherein the antinodes are closer to one of the pair of nodes than to any other antinode. This unique arrangement of the elongated apertures may be formed in biological material in vivo or ex vivo.

A side-deliverable prosthetic heart valve includes a valve frame defining an aperture that extends along a central axis and a flow control component mounted within the aperture and configured to permit selective blood flow therethrough. The prosthetic heart valve has a compressed configuration for side-delivery to a heart of a patient via a delivery catheter. The prosthetic heart valve is configured to transition to an expanded configuration when released from the delivery catheter for seating in a native annulus. The valve frame includes distal, proximal, and septal anchoring elements, each of which is insertable through the native annulus prior to seating the prosthetic heart valve therein. The septal anchoring element is configured to extend below the annulus and contact ventricular septal tissue to stabilize the prosthetic heart valve in the annulus when the prosthetic heart valve is seated in the annulus.

A growth stent and valve and methods for making and using the same. The growth stent and valve may be delivered to treat early stage congenital lesions, while expanding to adult vessel diameters. In selected embodiments, the growth stent and valve can comprise a frame and may have a covering on some portion to prevent blood flow through a wall of the frame. The growth stent and valve advantageously can maintain radial strength across an entire range of diameters necessary to treat a narrowed lesion from birth and childhood through adulthood as the vessels grow over the lifetime of a patient.

A transcatheter heart valve includes a paravalvular seal that is configured for transfemoral delivery. The valve includes an outer frame and the seal is formed from a plurality of outwardly extending fibers.

Disclosed herein is a combined introducer and expandable sheath having an inner member and an outer elastomeric jacket. The inner member has radially folded tapered segments in an unexpanded state that are mechanically unfolded and moved toward the inner wall of the elastomeric jacket by a medical device moving through the lumen of the inner member. The compressive outer elastomeric jacket returns the expanded inner member back to the radially folded, unexpanded state once the medical device has passed through the expanded lumen of the inner member. The structure can include a distal region that tapers to a rounded tip. The proximal region also tapers to mate with a hemostasis value housing.

The embodied invention is a lip implant that includes small eyelets on either end of a small diameter rod located inside, and extends beyond, the cosmetic volume of the implant. Sutures connected to eyelets on the rod ends, allow the implant to be pulled into a minimal lip cavity that is created for the implant. The implant is readily positioned by using the sutures. Only two small incisions are needed as well as the creation of a small cavity needed for the implant. The use of the embodied invention is also extended to vein implants to enhance the appearance of veins on arms, legs, or to other surfaces.

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.