Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
AUTOMATED HEART VALVE MANUFACTURING DEVICES AND METHODS

Abstract:

An automated system that can be used for prosthetic heart valve manufacturing or suturing procedures. The system can include a first automated fixture that includes an articulating arm and a target device holder. The system can also include one or more additional automated fixtures, which can be configured as one or more suturing arms that include another articulating arm and a needle holder. The first automated fixture can be configured to rotate a target device held by the holder to allow the one or more additional automated fixtures to perform operations such as form sutures on the target device without intervention of a human operator. The system can include a targeting system configured to provide positioning feedback to the system.