A packaging system includes a packaging container and a packaging element. The packaging container include a first half having a base surface and an outer wall defining an inset receiving area, a second half sized and configured to couple to the first half in a locking relationship, and a coupling element extending from the base surface of the first half. The packaging element includes a central coupling body defining an opening sized and configured to receive the coupling element of the packaging container therethrough and a plurality of secondary coupling elements each coupled to an outer perimeter of the central coupling body. A plurality of surgical elements are each coupled to one of the plurality of secondary coupling elements.

A color-coded bioprosthetic valve system having a valve with an annular sewing ring, and a valve holder system with a holder sutured to the ring of the valve, a post operatively connected to the holder, and an adapter sutured to the post and having a color associated with the valve model and/or size. For example, the adapter may be blue to indicate that the valve of the system is a mitral valve of a particular type and/or size. The system may also include a flex handle that is configured to engage with the adapter. The handle has a color associated with the adapter such that a user is able to visually determine that the handle color matches the valve model. For example, the handle may have a grip that is colored blue to match the blue color of the adapter. Accordingly, the color-coded system enables users to confirm easily that the correct accessories such as the sizer or flex handle are being used with the correct valve.

A compressible and expandable stent assembly for implantation in a body lumen such as a mitral valve, the stent assembly including at least one stent barrel that is shaped and sized so that it allows for normal operation of adjacent heart structures. One or more stent barrels can be included in the stent assembly, where one or more of the stent barrels can include a cylinder with a tapered edge.

Synthetic chord devices and methods for using the same for connecting tissues are provided. Aspects of the synthetic chord device include a flexible cord having an attachment element at both a first and a second end, wherein each attachment element includes a piercing member coupled to a securing member that attaches the flexible cord to a first tissue. At least a portion of the flexible cord can be configured to be secured to a second tissue. Aspects of the invention also include sets of the synthetic chord device with pre-measured flexible cords. The devices and methods of the invention find use in a variety of applications, such as in applications in which it is desired to repair a heart valve.

Methods for the rapid retraction of trans-catheter heart valve delivery systems are provided. A rapid retraction trans-catheter heart valve delivery system comprises a catheter based delivery system. The delivery system has internal mechanisms that allow for the controlled deployment of a heart valve prosthesis, as well as mechanisms that allow for quickly closing the catheter once the heart valve prosthesis has been implanted. This rapid retraction ability allows for reduced procedural durations and thus reduced risk to the patient.

Methods for the rapid retraction of trans-catheter heart valve delivery systems are provided. A rapid retraction trans-catheter heart valve delivery system comprises a catheter based delivery system. The delivery system has internal mechanisms that allow for the controlled deployment of a heart valve prosthesis, as well as mechanisms that allow for quickly closing the catheter once the heart valve prosthesis has been implanted. This rapid retraction ability allows for reduced procedural durations and thus reduced risk to the patient.

A compressible and expandable stent assembly for implantation in a body lumen such as a mitral valve, the stent assembly including at least one stent barrel that is shaped and sized so that it allows for normal operation of adjacent heart structures. One or more stent barrels can be included in the stent assembly, where one or more of the stent barrels can include a cylinder with a tapered edge.

An instrument for isolating candidate eyelashes to attach prostheses includes an instrument tip which has a tip aperture. A candidate eyelash is disposed in a distal slot of the tip aperture. The instrument tip is advanced relative to the candidate eyelash and the instrument tip applies a force to eyelashes that are adjacent to the candidate eyelash. The application of the force actuates the eyelashes that are adjacent to the candidate eyelash away from the candidate eyelash. The candidate eyelash is actuated into an open area of the tip aperture and a prosthesis is attached to the candidate eyelash.

A kit of stents and an adjustable multi-lumen stent for adjustable interventional reduction of blood flow in a blood vessel. The kit includes: a first reduction stent having in an expanded conformation at least one widened section and a narrowed section, the narrowed section defining a central lumen providing reduced fluid communication between an upstream end and a downstream end of the first reduction stent; at least one expandable dilatation stent having a tubular form insertable into and expandable in the central lumen of the first reduction stent to define an enlarged central lumen; at least one second reduction stent having a narrowed tubular section insertable into the central lumen of the first reduction stent or the central lumen of the dilatation stent to define an reduced central lumen, and having an anchoring element at its upstream end.

The present invention relates to an intraluminal vessel prosthesis system for implantation in the region of the aortic arch of a patient, comprising a hollow cylindrical main vessel prosthesis, wherein the hollow cylindrical main vessel prosthesis is configured and dimensioned for implantation in the region of the artic arch and the descending aorta (Aorta descendens) of the patient and wherein the main vessel prosthesis, at least over part of the length L2 of the anchoring vessel prosthesis, and wherein the diameter D2 of the anchoring vessel prosthesis is at least 45% smaller than the diameter D1 of the main vessel prosthesis and wherein the length L2 of the anchoring vessel prosthesis is shorter than the length L2 of the main vessel prosthesis.