St. Jude Medical, Inc.

Terry L Shepherd

Darrin J Bergman

William R Holmberg

Stephen T Kuehn

Thomas F Hinnenkamp

Guy P Vanney

Kurt D Krueger

Scott D Moore

Kimberly A Anderson

Katherine S Tweden

Michael J Girard

Stephen A Petersen

David R Elizondo

Margaret A Wallner

A novel approach to mitral or tricuspid valve repair involves the performance of an edge-to-edge fastening/securing of opposing heart valve leaflets through a catheter entering the heart. Thus, a device is introduced including a leaflet fastener applicator through a cardiac catheter or other suitable catheter. The leaflet fastener applicator and cardiac catheter can be formed into a kit. A gripper can be used to hold the heart valve leaflets while they are fastened.

Mitral and tricuspid valve repair

The present invention includes a metallic coating on portions of the prosthesis to enhance the overall acceptability of the implantable device or fabric/sutures used to implant the prosthesis. The preferred metal is silver, which is applied to surfaces which are exposed to the heart tissue. The silver-treated portions of these devices inhibit or greatly reduce colonization of endocarditis-causing bacteria without impacting the overall biocompatibility of the device.

Coated prosthetic cardiac device

A holder for engaging a heart valve prosthesis during implantation includes a holder body and stem. The stem is adapted to receive a handle used to manipulate the prostheses during implantation. The stem is moveable between a standard implantation position and a low profile delivery position.

Holder for heart valve prosthesis

A mechanical heart valve for implantation in a heart of a patient includes an orifice body having an outer circumference and defining a lumen for blood flow therethrough. At least one leaflet carried in the lumen of the orifice body is movable between an open position, allowing flow through the lumen, and a closed position blocking flow through the lumen. A flange ring around the outer circumference of the orifice body includes a plurality of suture holes defined therein. The suture holes are adapted for receiving a suture and thereby attaching the heart valve to tissue of the heart.

Direct suture orifice for mechanical heart valve

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Shoreview, MN, United States of America

Terry L Shepherd