The present invention relates to a stent (10) for the positioning and anchoring of a valvular prosthesis (100) in an implantation site in the heart of a patient. Specifically, the present invention relates to an expandable stent for an endoprosthesis used in the treatment of a narrowing of a cardiac valve and/or a cardiac valve insufficiency. So as to ensure that no longitudinal displacement of a valvular prosthesis (100) fastened to a stent (10) will occur relative the stent (10) in the implanted state of the stent (10), even given the peristaltic motion of the heart, the stent (10) according to the invention comprises at least one fastening portion (11) via which the valvular prosthesis (100) is connectable to the stent (10). The stent (10) further comprises positioning arches (15) and retaining arches (16), whereby at least one positioning arch (15) is connected to at least one retaining arch (16) via a first connecting land (17). The stent (10) moreover comprises at least one auxiliary retaining arch (18) which connects the respective arms (16′,16″) of the at least one retaining arch (16) connected to the at least one positioning arch (15).

A tension-distribution device includes a rotationally-symmetric structure and two or more suture-engagement features associated with the rotationally-symmetric structure, the suture-engagement features being configured to receive one or more suture portions therein. The two or more suture-engagement features are evenly spaced rotationally about an axial center of the rotationally-symmetric structure.

A tubular graft for use in a stent graft. The tubular graft may include a first woven layer that forms a first side of the tubular graft, where the first woven layer has a set of first warp ends. A second woven layer may forma a second side of the tubular graft, where the second woven layer has a set of second warp ends, and where the second warp ends are distinct from the first warp ends. A woven pocket flap may extend from the first woven layer, where a pocket opening is defined between the woven pocket flap and the first woven layer, and where the woven pocket flap includes at least one common weft yarn with the first woven layer.

Apparatus and methods are described herein for use in the delivery and deployment of a prosthetic mitral valve into a heart. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a catheter assembly, a valve holding tube and a handle assembly. The valve holding tube is releasably couplable to a proximal end portion of the catheter assembly and to a distal end portion of the handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a housing and a delivery rod. The delivery rod is configured to be actuated to move distally relative to the housing to move a prosthetic heart valve disposed within the valve holding tube out of the valve holding tube and distally within a lumen of the elongate sheath of the catheter assembly. The catheter assembly is configured to be actuated to move proximally relative to the housing such that the prosthetic valve is disposed outside of the lumen of the elongate sheath.

Devices and methods are configured to allow transcarotid or subclavian access via the common carotid artery to the native aortic valve, and implantation of a prosthetic aortic valve into the heart. The devices and methods also provide for embolic protection during such an endovascular aortic valve implantation procedure.

An implantable device includes a tubular member defining a longitudinal axis and a lumen. The tubular member includes plurality of filaments defining a plurality of openings therebetween; a distal end portion having a distal diameter; a proximal end portion having a proximal diameter that is larger than the distal diameter; and an intermediate portion having an intermediate diameter that is smaller than the distal diameter.

A radially expandable, tubular stent, includes a first section having a first crush resistance force and a second section have a second crush resistance force, wherein the first crush resistance force is less than the second crush resistance force. The first section is connected to the second section to form a tube, connection of the first and second sections extending in an axial direction of the tube.

In a representative embodiment, a method comprises implanting first and second inflatable bodies within an annulus of a native heart valve by securing the inflatable bodies to tissue of the native heart valve with sutures, and implanting a prosthetic heart valve between the inflatable bodies such that the prosthetic heart valve is retained within the annulus by the inflatable bodies.

The invention relates to a mechanical prosthetic heart valve (10) comprising: an annular support (12) having an internal peripheral wall (14) centered about a longitudinal axis (X) and delimiting an internal passage, and at least two mobile leaflets, preferably three mobile leaflets (40), arranged in such a way as to each be able to effect a rotational movement about an axis of rotation perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (X) so that the valve (10) can pass from a closed configuration to an open configuration and vice versa. Each leaflet (40) comprises a leading edge (42) designed to come against a portion of the internal peripheral wall (14) of the annular support (12) when the valve is in a closed configuration, an internal surface (46b) extending from the leading edge (42), and an external surface (46a) opposite the internal surface (46b) and extending from the leading edge (42). The annular support (12) comprises, on the internal peripheral wall (14), at least one lower bearing member (16a, 16b) per leaflet situated between two of said extensions (30) and designed to be in contact against the corresponding leaflet when the valve (10) is in the closed configuration, and two upper bearing members (20a, 20b). The two upper bearing members (20a, 20b) comprise each a distal end (21). Each distal end (21) is designed to come to bear against a bearing zone of the external surface (46a) of the leaflet (40). The center of the bearing zone is set back from the leading edge (42) of the leaflet (40) by a distance greater than a thickness of said leaflet at the center of said bearing zone.

Disclosed herein are gender-specific implantable mesh for inguinal hernia repair in a patient, comprising: a fabric layer comprising a side defining a surface area wherein the fabric layer is configured to enable tissue adhesion to said mesh; an anti-adhesive barrier comprising a shape configured to prevent direct contact between the fabric layer and both a spermatic cord and a genital nerve upon implantation, wherein the shape covers a part of the surface area on the side of the fabric layer, the part being less than 25%, and wherein the shape is oblique to a horizontally-oriented centerline and a vertically-oriented centerline; and a keyhole configured to fit the genital nerve and the spermatic cord of the patient therethrough without constriction, wherein the keyhole is oblique and inferior to a horizontally-oriented centerline and medial to a vertically-oriented centerline.