Systems and methods for loading a prosthesis onto a minimally invasive delivery system
First Claim
1. An apparatus for reducing an external dimension of a compressible valve prosthesis, said apparatus comprising:
- a first reducing member comprising a first tapered surface, said first reducing member having a first open end and configured to reduce the external dimension of at least a portion of the prosthesis when the prosthesis is moved along said first tapered surface;
a second reducing member comprising a second tapered surface, said second reducing member having a first open end and configured to reduce the external dimension of at least a portion of the prosthesis when the prosthesis is moved along the second tapered surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for loading a replacement valve prosthesis onto a minimally invasive delivery system, such as a delivery catheter. The system may include one or more frustoconical housings which define a tapered surface. The prosthesis may be moved along the tapered surface to compress the prosthesis. Desirably, for compression of the valve portion of the prosthesis, the prosthesis is moved along the tapered surface in a direction wherein the inlet end of the valve leads an outlet end of the valve. After compression, the prosthesis may be loaded into the sheath of the delivery catheter. Methods of loading the replacement valve prosthesis are also disclosed.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. An apparatus for reducing an external dimension of a compressible valve prosthesis, said apparatus comprising:
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a first reducing member comprising a first tapered surface, said first reducing member having a first open end and configured to reduce the external dimension of at least a portion of the prosthesis when the prosthesis is moved along said first tapered surface;
a second reducing member comprising a second tapered surface, said second reducing member having a first open end and configured to reduce the external dimension of at least a portion of the prosthesis when the prosthesis is moved along the second tapered surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An kit for orienting leaflets of a replacement valve prosthesis prior to securing the prosthesis to a delivery catheter, the kit comprising:
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a frustoconical housing having a first open end, said housing configured to compress a prosthesis when the prosthesis is moved through said housing;
an orienting member configured to be positioned within said frustoconical housing and the prosthesis to orient the leaflets of the valve in an open position. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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- 17. A method of compressing a replacement valve prosthesis comprising moving the prosthesis along a tapered surface in a direction wherein an inlet of the valve leads an outlet of the valve such that the prosthesis is compressed by the tapered surface.
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24. A method of compressing a replacement valve prosthesis, the method comprising:
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moving the prosthesis along a first tapered surface in a direction such that an outlet of the valve leads an inlet of the valve to compress at least a portion of the prosthesis;
moving the prosthesis along a second tapered surface in a direction such that the inlet of the valve leads the outlet of the valve to compress at least a portion of the prosthesis. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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- 30. A method of compressing a prosthesis, the prosthesis including a frame supporting a valve, the method comprising using a substantially planar contact area of a surface to apply a pushing force to an end of the prosthesis to move the prosthesis along a conical surface such that an external dimension of at least a portion of the prosthesis is compressed, the substantially planar contact area of the surface being substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the conical surface.
Specification