Methods and devices for implanting cardiac valves
First Claim
1. A method of implanting a cardiac valve, comprising the steps of:
- introducing a valve and a valve displacer into a patient, the valve and valve displacer being movable from collapsed positions to expanded positions, the valve and valve displacer being introduced into the patient in the collapsed position;
positioning the valve displacer between valve leaflets of a native cardiac valve;
expanding the valve displacer to the expanded position after the positioning step thereby displacing and holding the valve leaflets in an open position; and
securing the valve at a desired location in the patient.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The valve implantation system has a valve displacer for displacing and holding the native valve leaflets open in a first aspect of the invention. A replacement valve may be attached to the valve displacer before or after introduction and may be positioned independent of the valve displacer. In another aspect of the invention, the valve displacer and valve are in a collapsed condition during introduction and are expanded to deploy the valve displacer and valve. The valve is a tissue valve mounted to an expandable support structure. The support structure may have protrusions for engaging the valve displacer or barbs for anchoring the valve displacer to the heart or blood vessel. A temporary valve mechanism may be used to provide temporary valve functions during and after deployment of the valve displacer.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method of implanting a cardiac valve, comprising the steps of:
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introducing a valve and a valve displacer into a patient, the valve and valve displacer being movable from collapsed positions to expanded positions, the valve and valve displacer being introduced into the patient in the collapsed position;
positioning the valve displacer between valve leaflets of a native cardiac valve;
expanding the valve displacer to the expanded position after the positioning step thereby displacing and holding the valve leaflets in an open position; and
securing the valve at a desired location in the patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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23. A device for maintaining a patient'"'"'s native valve leaflets open, comprising:
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a first end;
a second end; and
a central section extending between the first and second ends;
the first and second ends being flared outwardly from the central section so that the central section forms a recess for receiving the native valve leaflets, the first end, second end and central section forming a structure which is movable from a collapsed condition to an expanded condition.
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Specification