Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

Timothy A Geiser

Pu Zhou

Thanh Huy Le

Tung Thanh Le

Michael G Valdez

Erik E Bulman

Yidong M Zhu

Sonny Tran

Baigui Bian

Richard D White

Alpana Kiran Gowdar

David D Williams

Yong Gao

Tamir S Levi

Son V Nguyen

Michael Bukin

Nikolay Gurovich

Diana Nguyen-Thien-Nhon

Dinesh L Sirimanne

Larry L Wood

Nancy D Geiser

A delivery sheath includes an outer tubular layer and an initially folded inner tubular layer. When an implant passes therethrough, the outer tubular layer expands and the inner tubular layer unfolds into an expanded lumen diameter. The sheath may also include selectively placed longitudinal support rods that mediate friction between the inner and outer tubular layers to facilitate easy expansion, thereby reducing the push force needed to advance the implant through the sheath's lumen.

Expandable sheath

A prosthetic heart valve includes a frame, a valvular structure, and a skirt. The frame is movable between collapsed and expanded configurations and includes struts disposed between inflow and outflow ends, apices disposed at the inflow end formed by intersections of two or more struts, and junctions disposed between the apices and the outflow end and formed by intersections of two or more struts. The apices are circumferentially offset from the junctions. The valvular structure is positioned within and secured to the frame. The skirt is secured to the frame and includes a first edge portion and a second edge portion. The first edge portion is secured to the frame at the apices. The second edge portion is secured to the frame at the junctions. The skirt is configured to retract inwardly between the apices when the frame is moved from the radially expanded configuration to the radially collapsed configuration.

Prosthetic heart valve

An implantable prosthetic valve can comprise an annular frame comprising an inflow end and an outflow end and being radially collapsible and expandable between a radially collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration, the frame defining an axial direction extending from the inflow end to the outflow end, a leaflet structure positioned within the frame and secured thereto, and an annular outer skirt positioned around an outer surface of the frame, wherein the outer skirt comprises an inflow edge secured to the frame at a first location, an outflow edge comprising a plurality of alternating projections and notches, wherein the projections are secured to the frame at a second location, and the notches are not directly secured to the frame, an intermediate portion between the inflow edge and the outflow edge that comprises a plurality of openings.

A delivery sheath includes an elastic outer tubular layer and an inner tubular layer having a thick wall portion integrally connected to a thin wall portion. The inner tubular layer can have a compressed or folded condition wherein the thin wall portion folds onto an outer surface of the thick wall portion under urging of the elastic outer tubular layer. When an implant passes therethrough, the outer tubular layer stretches and the inner tubular layer unfolds into an expanded lumen diameter. Once the implant passes, the outer tubular layer again urges the inner tubular layer into the compressed condition with the sheath reassuming its smaller profile. The sheath may also include selectively placed longitudinal rods that mediate friction between the inner and outer tubular layers to facilitate easy expansion and collapse, thereby reducing the push force needed to advance the implant through the sheath's lumen.

An expandable introducer sheath for passage of implant delivery catheters, such as catheters for delivery of prosthetic heart valves. The expandable sheath balances the amounts, shapes and positions of various stiff and elastic structures in the sheath to selectively program the expandability and buckling stiffness of the sheath. The expandable sheath can include, for example, an expandable tubular layer that includes alternating stiff and elastic wall portions of a single radial thickness. The combination of stiff and elastic wall portions allow for torque and push strength to advance the expandable sheath while at the same time accommodating temporary expansion. The expandable sheath can also be reinforced with a tubular layer of braided fibers or a stent structure for additional strength. Other embodiments include selective use of slots or gaps at the distal end of a stiff wall portion to enhance expandability and distribute strain.

Expandable sheath with elastomeric cross sectional portions

Customizable luggage identification and personalization handle cover

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Laguna Niguel, CA, United States of America

Timothy A Geiser