Strait Access Technologies Holdings (pty) Limited

Harish Appa

Peter Paul Zilla

Deon Bezuidenhout

Kenneth Stuart Park

Grant Leigh Nelson

Braden Sydney Clive Van Breda

Claude Visagie

An expandable stent comprises a cylindrical wall made up of lattice members connected to each other, at least one first arm and at least one second arm. The first arm comprises: a first non-linear member that is connected at each of its axial ends to a lattice member at respective first junctions; a second non-linear member connected at each axial end to a lattice member; and at least one bridge member extending between the first member and the second member. The second arm comprises: a first non-linear member that is connected at each of its axial ends to a lattice member; a second non-linear member connected at each axial end to a lattice member; and at least one bridge member extending between the first member and the second member. The second member of the first arm is generally U-shaped, extending from its axial ends towards: (i) a first axial end of the stent; and (ii) towards the bridge of the first arm. The second member of the second arm is generally U-shaped, extending from its axial ends towards: (i) a first axial end of the stent; and (ii) towards the bridge of the second arm. The first arm is disposed at a second axial end of the stent, and the second arm is: (i) axially spaced from the first arm towards the first axial end of the stent; and (ii) axially aligned with the first arm. Furthermore, the first member and the second member of each of the first and second arms are connected to lattice members at their axial ends only. Upon radial expansion of the stent from a radially crimped condition under the influence of an external force, tension in: (i) the bridge of the first arm; and (ii) the bridge member of the second arm, causes the second members of both the first and second arms to protrude radially outwards, respectively.

Expandable stent and methods of crimping and expanding such stent

A prosthetic heart valve () which includes a stent () having three leaflets () attached thereto is provided. The stent () is compressible so as to be capable of being introduced into a patient's body through a minimally invasive procedure and has a ring-like body () defining in its height three arch-shaped elements (). Each element () includes an arc () and a pair of haunches () extending from opposite sides thereof, with three commissural posts () formed by the haunches () of adjacent elements (). The leaflets () each have an attachment edge () and a free edge () with a belly () extending therebetween. The leaflets () are movable between a coapted condition, in which the free edges () abut and prevent fluid flow through the valve (), and an open condition, in which fluid flow through the valve () is permitted. The leaflets () are made from a polymeric material and are moulded directly onto the stent () so as to provide for continuous attachment thereof.

Prosthetic heart valve

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Cape Town, South Africa

Harish Appa