Abstract:
Systems and methods for supporting a replacement heart valve are presented herein. A bioprosthesis may be stored in a storage container (19) by suspending the bioprosthesis (11) from a support structure (18). The volume of storage solution may be reduced by using a lid (12) with a boss (14) extending therefrom to displace some of the volume of the storage container. The support structure may rest on the base of the storage container. Additionally, there may be a holder (13) attached to the bioprosthesis above the support structure. The holder-bioprosthesis-support structure may be constrained between the lid and base of the storage container.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for supporting a replacement heart valve are presented herein. A bioprosthesis may be stored in a storage container (19) by suspending the bioprosthesis (11) from a support structure (18). The volume of storage solution may be reduced by using a lid (12) with a boss (14) extending therefrom to displace some of the volume of the storage container. The support structure may rest on the base of the storage container. Additionally, there may be a holder (13) attached to the bioprosthesis above the support structure. The holder-bioprosthesis-support structure may be constrained between the lid and base of the storage container.
Abstract:
A prosthetic heart valve includes an annular stent having annularly spaced commissure portions. The tips of the commissure portions are preferably covered with fabric, and then additional fabric covers that fabric and the remainder of the stent, both inside and out (possibly also including a sewing ring insert at or near the base or inflow edge). The fabric is then covered by a layer of tissue, again both inside and out. A single sheet of additional tissue is mounted around the outside of the previously assembled components. This additional tissue forms the leaflet portions of the valve. The leaflet portions of the additional tissue are shaped by contact with a shaped mandrel, and the tissue of the structure is subjected to fixation (e.g., cross-linking) to produce a completed valve.
Abstract:
Improved sizers and markers (100) include a cylindrical section (102) and a handle (106) extending from the cylindrical section (102). The cylindrical section (102) has a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of an aortic heart valve prosthesis (160). The cylindrical section (102) can include a marking element (206), (292), (330), (350) configured to mark tissue at fixed positions relative to the cylindrical section (102). Marking can be performed with a variety of techniques.