This application relates to a stent inserted in an eustachian tube for treatment of eustachian tube dysfunction. In one aspect, the stent includes a pressure controller which blocks the eustachian tube and is opened/closed according to a pressure difference between front and rear portions thereof to control a pressure in the eustachian tube. The stent may also include a eustachian tube expansion portion which is connected to the pressure controller and has a hollow portion passed therein to make a fluid move in back and forth directions of the eustachian tube, and is inserted in the eustachian tube to expand the eustachian tube by transforming a shape thereof in a radial direction of the eustachian tube.

A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent with a valve assembly disposed therein. A first cuff is positioned on the lumenal or ablumenal surface of the stent. A second cuff is positioned radially outward of the stent and the first cuff. The second cuff may include apertures that allow blood to pass through the second cuff into the spaces between the first and second cuffs. The second cuff may include a proximal edge with a plurality of notches that may be closed to create puckered areas in the second cuff to facilitate the movement of blood in the spaces between the first and second cuffs. The stent may include struts adjacent the second cuff that bow radially inwardly to create additional space for blood to flow in the spaces between the first and second cuffs.

A heart valve prosthesis includes a heart valve encircled by a base body in a peripheral direction to hold the heart valve. The heart valve is fastened to the base body and arranged in its interior. An inner skirt is arranged in the interior and is fastened to an inner surface of the base body. An outer skirt is arranged on the outer surface of the base body. The inner and outer skirts form a receptacle to accept and collect blood during diastole.

Heart valve implants and methods for implanting and delivering same are described. A heart valve implant can include a shaft, having a first end and a second end, an anchor, and a plurality of wafers. The anchor is coupled to the first end of the shaft and configured to secure the heart implant to a patient's heart. The wafers are coupled to the second end of the shaft and configured to form a stacked array of wafers. The stacked array of wafers can partially reduce a flow of blood through a heart valve upon coming in contact with a portion of a leaflet of the heart valve.

A replacement heart valve system may include a delivery sheath and a replacement heart valve. The replacement heart valve may include a mesh anchor member disposed within the delivery sheath in an elongated delivery configuration, the mesh anchor member being expandable to a deployed configuration when unconstrained by the delivery sheath. The mesh anchor member may include an upstream chamber, a downstream chamber, and a tubular middle portion extending between the upstream chamber and the downstream chamber. The replacement heart valve may include a diaphragm disposed within the downstream chamber of the mesh anchor member, wherein the diaphragm is configured to selectively prevent fluid flow through the replacement heart valve.

A device for replacing a mitral valve includes a substantially cylindrically-shaped body having a top portion, a bottom portion, and a waist portion disposed therebetween and having ferromagnetic elements arranged circumferentially, and the top portion, waist portion, and bottom portion defining an aperture extending therethrough for allowing blood flow; and a clamping ring formed of a ferromagnetic material and supporting a plurality of ferromagnetic spheres thereon.

The present invention relates to an implantable apparatus and methods of use thereof for treating congestive heart failure. An apparatus of this invention may be anchored by implantation of a section of the apparatus within in a branch pulmonary artery, for example the left pulmonary artery, which then positions and anchors another section, for example a device frame section of the apparatus within the main pulmonary artery. A medical device may be attached to the anchored device frame.

A buoy system for treating cardiac valve regurgitation comprising a movable plug having atrial and ventricular ends, wherein a through-hole passes from the atrial to the ventricular end, wherein during systole, the plug travels toward a cardiac atrium, wherein during diastole, the plug travels into a cardiac ventricle; a tether having atrial and ventricular ends, wherein the tether passes through the through-hole of the moving plug, wherein the atrial end of the tether projects into an atrium, wherein the atrial end of the tether includes a cap to engage a delivery tool; at least one distal anchor located in the ventricle, wherein the distal anchor is coupled to the ventricular end of the tether, and wherein the system is percutaneously delivered and optionally recaptured via catheter and recapture tool at the cap of the tether, respectively.

An implantable prosthetic valve includes an annular metallic frame and a valve assembly supported within the frame. The annular support frame is constructed with three longitudinal support beams of fixed length and web-like constructions that extend between and connect the support beams. The support beams are spaced apart in a substantially equidistant manner. The web-like constructions allow the annular support frame to be radially collapsible and expandable. Each support beam preferably has a column of pre-formed openings or bores extending along a length of the support beam. The valve assembly includes three valve leaflets, wherein each leaflet has opposing side portions and each side portion is paired with an adjacent side portion of an adjacent leaflet to form a commissure. The three commissures are secured to three respective support beams with stitching that extends through the leaflets and through the pre-formed openings or bores.

The present invention relates to an implantable apparatus and methods of use thereof for treating congestive heart failure. An apparatus of this invention may be anchored by implantation of a section of the apparatus within in a branch pulmonary artery, for example the left pulmonary artery, which then positions and anchors another section, for example a device frame section of the apparatus within the main pulmonary artery. A medical device may be attached to the anchored device frame.