Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

Cardiac Implants LLC

Raz Biran

Thanh Van Nguyen

Asher L Metchik

Arvin T Chang

Jeff Lindstrom

Nimrod Meller

Tarannum Ishaq Gutierrez

David Alon

David Neumark

Tarannum Nagpurwala

A method for retrieving a previously inserted prosthetic valve is disclosed. In one example, a loader assembly is inserted through a hub of a delivery sheath device. The delivery sheath device includes an expandable sheath that extends into a blood vessel of a patient. The loader assembly is advanced in a distal direction until a distal section of the loader assembly extends into the expandable sheath which is attached to a distal end of the hub. The distal section has a larger inner diameter than a middle tube section of the loader assembly. A delivery catheter is retracted to move a prosthetic valve attached thereto in a proximal direction until the prosthetic valve is received within the distal section. The loader assembly and the delivery catheter are removed from a proximal end of the hub while the prosthetic valve is retained within the distal section.

Loader and retriever for transcatheter heart valve, and methods of crimping transcatheter heart valve

A loader and method for loading a transcatheter heart valve into a delivery sheath or catheter is described that is also configured to facilitate retrieval of the heart valve back through the delivery sheath while protecting the delivery sheath from damage. Another loader provides for easier crimping and loading of a THV into a delivery sheath or catheter from a storage jar or container. A method for crimping a THV facilitates easier end user preparation of the valve for implantation and reduces the likelihood of tissue deformation in the valve during storage. These devices and methods for deploying THVs simplify the valve replacement procedure.

A cardiac valve annulus may be constricted by using an apparatus to deliver a cord to the annulus, affixing the cord, and subsequently tightening that cord. In some embodiments, this apparatus includes a housing, a spool, and an elongated core with lumens that run through the core. The lumens are dimensioned to slidably accommodate portions of the cord. The cord, the lumens, and the spool are configured so that after a distal loop portion of the cord is anchored to the annulus, movement of the housing in a proximal direction will (a) cause the core to progressively move in a proximal direction with respect to portions of the cord and (b) cause extension sections of the cord to progressively unwind from the spool and be progressively drawn into the lumens.

Apparatus for delivering a constricting cord to a cardiac valve annulus with spooling feature

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Karkour, Israel

Raz Biran