APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR REPAIRING THE FUNCTION OF A DISEASED VALVE AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME
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Abstract
An apparatus for repairing the function of a diseased valve includes an annular first support member expandable to a first diameter. An annular second support member is spaced axially apart from the first support member and is expandable to a second diameter that is independent of the first diameter. A tubular graft section interconnects the first and second support members. The graft section defines an annulus having a third diameter that is independent of each of the first and second diameters. A prosthetic valve is secured within the annulus of the graft section. The bioprosthetic valve has at least two valve leaflets that are coaptable to permit the unidirectional flow of blood. Methods for repairing the function of a diseased valve and for making the apparatus are also provided.
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Citations
59 Claims
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1-37. -37. (canceled)
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38. An apparatus for repairing the function of a diseased valve, the apparatus comprising:
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an annular first support member having longitudinally spaced proximal and distal first support member ends, the distal first support member end having a plurality of eyelets defining a distal first support member circumference; an annular second support member having longitudinally spaced proximal and distal second support member ends, the proximal second support member end having a plurality of eyelets defining a proximal second support member circumference; a tubular graft section having longitudinally spaced first and second graft ends and a graft neck annulus located longitudinally between the first and second graft ends, the first and second graft ends defining first and second graft end circumferences, respectively, and the graft neck annulus defining a graft neck circumference which is smaller than both of the first and second graft end circumferences; the first graft end being directly attached to the distal first support member end with the distal first support member circumference being substantially coincident with the first graft end circumference; the second graft end being directly attached to the proximal second support member end with the proximal second support member circumference being substantially coincident with the second graft end circumference; and a prosthetic valve secured within the graft neck annulus, the prosthetic valve having at least two valve leaflets that are coaptable to permit the unidirectional flow of blood, and the prosthetic valve being longitudinally spaced from both of the first and second support members. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. A method for repairing the function of a diseased valve, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing an apparatus including; an annular first support member having longitudinally spaced proximal and distal first support member ends, the distal first support member end having a plurality of eyelets defining a distal first support member circumference, an annular second support member having longitudinally spaced proximal and distal second support member ends, the proximal second support member end having a plurality of eyelets defining a proximal second support member circumference, a tubular graft section having longitudinally spaced first and second graft ends and a graft neck annulus located longitudinally between the first and second graft ends, the first and second graft ends defining first and second graft end circumferences, respectively, and the graft neck annulus defining a graft neck circumference which is smaller than both of the first and second graft end circumferences, the first graft end being directly attached to the distal first support member end with the distal first support member circumference being substantially coincident with the first graft end circumference, the second graft end being directly attached to the proximal second support member end with the proximal second support member circumference being substantially coincident with the second graft end circumference, and a prosthetic valve secured within the graft neck annulus, the prosthetic valve having at least two valve leaflets that are coaptable to permit the unidirectional flow of blood, and the prosthetic valve being longitudinally spaced from both of the first and second support members; collapsing the apparatus radially; loading the apparatus into a sheath for intravascular delivery; inserting the apparatus, inside the sheath, into the vasculature; advancing the apparatus, inside the sheath, to a location within the vasculature adjacent the diseased valve; retracting the sheath; expanding the first and second support members radially outward into engagement with the vasculature; securing the apparatus to the vasculature; and forming a seal between the first graft end and the vasculature when the apparatus is expanded; wherein the prosthetic valve is suspended inside the graft neck annulus within the vasculature adjacent the diseased valve to assume the function of the diseased valve. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
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Specification