Abstract:
Apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve, including: a replacement valve adapted to be delivered endovascularly to a vicinity of the heart valve; an expandable anchor adapted to be delivered endovascularly to the vicinity of the heart valve; and a lock mechanism configured to maintain a minimum amount of anchor expansion. The invention also includes a method for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. In some embodiments the method includes the steps of: endovascularly delivering a replacement valve and an expandable anchor to a vicinity of the heart valve; expanding the anchor to a deployed configuration; and locking the anchor in the deployed configuration.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for endovascularly delivering and releasing a prosthesis, e.g., an aortic prosthesis, within and/or across a patient's native heart valve, referred to hereinafter as replacing the patient's heart valve. In some embodiments the delivery system comprises a plurality of first actuatable element adapted to engage a plurality of second elements in a first configuration to capture the implant within the delivery system, and wherein the plurality of first actuatable element are adapted to engage the plurality of second elements in a second configuration and to release the implant from the delivery system.
Abstract:
A medical device apparatus may include a medical implant including an anchor member configured to actuate between a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration operatively connected to a delivery system, the delivery system including an outer sheath and an inner catheter disposed within the outer sheath, and a sheathing aid connecting the delivery system to the medical implant, the sheathing aid being configured to guide the medical implant into the outer sheath upon relative closing movement therebetween. The sheathing aid may include a plurality of tethers extending from the inner catheter to a proximal end of the anchor member, and a release mechanism slidably disposed within a coupler ring coupled to a distal end of the inner catheter. The plurality of tethers may be releasably coupled to the release mechanism.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to apparatus for methods for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. The apparatus includes an expandable anchor with leaflet engagement elements on the proximal end of the anchor and a replacement valve. The leaflet engagement elements can be used to prevent distal migration and insure proper positioning of the apparatus.
Abstract:
Apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve, including: a delivery catheter having a diameter of 21 french or less; an expandable anchor disposed within the delivery catheter; and a replacement valve disposed within the delivery catheter. The invention also includes a method for endovascularly replacing a heart valve of a patient. In some embodiments the method includes the steps of: inserting a catheter having a diameter no more than 21 french into the patient; endovascularly delivering a replacement valve and an expandable anchor to a vicinity of the heart valve through the catheter; and deploying the anchor and the replacement valve.
Abstract:
Apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve, including: a delivery catheter having a diameter of 21 french or less; an expandable anchor disposed within the delivery catheter; and a replacement valve disposed within the delivery catheter. The invention also includes a method for endovascularly replacing a heart valve of a patient. In some embodiments the method includes the steps of: inserting a catheter having a diameter no more than 21 french into the patient; endovascularly delivering a replacement valve and an expandable anchor to a vicinity of the heart valve through the catheter; and deploying the anchor and the replacement valve.
Abstract:
An elongated member and a method of manufacturing an elongated member may include first, second, and third elongated rod mandrels. The first, second, and third elongated rod mandrels may be fixed together at predetermined proximal and distal locations and at a ball tip. The first, second, and third rod mandrels may be disposed within a tubular coupling element and fixed to the tubular coupling element at the ball tip. The tubular coupling element may be placed into abutment with and fixed to the distal end of an elongated shaft.
Abstract:
The invention includes methods of and apparatus for endovascularly replacing a heart valve of a patient. One aspect of the invention provides a method including the steps of endovascularly delivering a replacement valve and an expandable anchor to a vicinity of the heart valve in an unexpanded configuration; and applying an external non-hydraulically expanding or non-pneumatically expanding actuation force on the anchor to change the shape of the anchor, such as by applying proximally and/or distally directed force on the anchor using a releasable deployment tool to expand and contract the anchor or parts of the anchor. Another aspect of the invention provides an apparatus including a replacement valve; an anchor; and a deployment tool comprising a plurality of anchor actuation elements adapted to apply a non-hydraulically expanding or non-pneumatically expanding actuation force on the anchor to reshape the anchor.
Abstract:
An apparatus for endovascular replacement of a heart valve may include first and second members which are releasably attached to each other such that the second member participates in engaging the first member with a locking element which cooperates with the first member to lock an expandable anchor of the replacement heart valve in a deployed configuration. Prior to locking and removal of the second member, the locking element may be prevented from engaging the first member by a portion of the second member. Following locking, the second member may be removed.
Abstract:
Medical device delivery systems and methods for making and using medical device delivery systems are disclosed. An example medical device delivery system may include an outer sheath. An inner catheter may be disposed within the outer sheath. The inner catheter may have a distal end. A tube extension may be coupled to the distal end of the inner catheter and may extend distally therefrom. The tube extension may include a crush resistance support member.