University of Washington

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

Stephen M Probert

Cody L Hartman

David J Arcaro

Dustin V Dienno

Vipin Kumar

Krishna V Nadella

Logan R Hagaman

Roy Manygoats, Jr

Russell L Jacoby

Dustin Miller

Joshua C Haarer

Edwin W Field

Benjamin A Smith

Olga Baykova

Jason T Alger

Bill R Finney

William F Kuykendall

Kevin J Derryberry

Andrew P Hilton

Roy Manygoats

Described embodiments are directed toward centrally-opening leaflet prosthetic valves having a frame and a leaflet construct. Leaflet frame attachments for prosthetic valves include the leaflet construct being at least partially coupled to a frame outer side by a looped structure.

Leaflet frame attachment for prosthetic valves

Aspects of the disclosure relate to prosthetic valves having a frame, a frame cover, and a leaflet construct. Some aspects are directed to a diametric taper for the prosthetic valve for achieving enhanced performance of the prosthetic valve under operational conditions, enhanced compressibility and delivery characteristics, and other additional or alternative advantages. Other aspects are directed toward unique assembly and attachment methods for securing leaflet constructs to support structures. Other aspects are directed toward features for interacting with transcatheter delivery systems. Still other aspects are directed to such apparatuses, systems, and methods for valve replacement, such as cardiac valve replacement.

Prosthetic valve with expandable frame and associated systems and methods

A method for making a shapeable article from poly(lactic acid) includes treating solid poly(lactic acid) that results in the solid poly(lactic acid) having a crystallinity of at least 20% by weight based on the weight of the solid poly(lactic acid) and a gas concentration of 6% to 16% by weight based on the weight of the solid poly(lactic acid); and heating the solid poly(lactic acid) having said minimum crystallinity and gas concentration to produce a cellular poly(lactic acid) article that is shapeable. The shapeable cellular poly(lactic acid) article is advantageous in that the article can be further shaped by heat and/or pressure (or vacuum), such as via thermoforming, into a variety of useful products.

Method for making shapeable microcellular poly lactic acid articles

Methods for reducing the density of thermoplastic materials and the articles made therefrom having similar or improved mechanical properties to the solid or noncellular material. Also disclosed are improvements to foaming methods and the cellular structures of the foams made therefrom, and methods for altering the impact strength of solid or noncellular thermoplastic materials and the shaping of the materials into useful articles.

Foaming methods for making cellular thermoplastic materials

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Flagstaff, AZ, United States of America

Stephen M Probert