VALVE INTRODUCERS AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING THEM
First Claim
1. A system for implanting a heart valve assembly within a biological annulus, comprising:
- an annular prosthesis implantable within a biological annulus;
a valve prosthesis connectable to the annular prosthesis; and
a valve introducer comprising a tubular body including a proximal end for receiving the valve prosthesis therein, and a distal end sized for introduction into a biological annulus for introducing the valve prosthesis through the valve introducer towards the annular prosthesis after the annular prosthesis is implanted within a biological annulus.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A valve introducer is provided for delivering a valve prosthesis into a biological annulus. During use, a gasket member is introduced into the biological annulus, and secured relative to the biological annulus. A distal end of a valve introducer is introduced into a passage communicating with the biological annulus, and disposed adjacent the gasket member. A valve prosthesis is advanced through the valve introducer towards the gasket member, and secured to the gasket member. In one embodiment, the valve introducer and valve prosthesis have corresponding shapes, requiring the valve prosthesis to be oriented to properly align the valve prosthesis before advancing the valve prosthesis into the valve introducer. Optionally, the valve introducer is compressed or otherwise manipulated to reduce a profile of the distal end before introduction into the passage, which may facilitate introducing the valve introducer through the passage, e.g., past the sino-tubular junction.
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Citations
54 Claims
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1. A system for implanting a heart valve assembly within a biological annulus, comprising:
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an annular prosthesis implantable within a biological annulus;
a valve prosthesis connectable to the annular prosthesis; and
a valve introducer comprising a tubular body including a proximal end for receiving the valve prosthesis therein, and a distal end sized for introduction into a biological annulus for introducing the valve prosthesis through the valve introducer towards the annular prosthesis after the annular prosthesis is implanted within a biological annulus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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- 21. A valve introducer for delivering a valve prosthesis into a biological annulus, comprising a tubular body including a proximal end for receiving a valve prosthesis therein, and a distal end sized for introduction into a biological annulus for guiding the valve prosthesis therein.
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41. A method for implanting a prosthetic heart valve assembly to replace a natural or prosthetic heart valve implanted within a biological annulus below a passage, comprising:
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introducing an annular member into the biological annulus;
securing the annular member relative to the biological annulus;
introducing a distal end of a valve introducer into the biological annulus;
advancing a valve prosthesis through the valve introducer towards the annular member; and
securing the valve prosthesis relative to the annular member within the biological annulus. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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Specification