System and method for implanting an expandable medical device into a body
First Claim
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1. A method for implanting a heart valve into a body, comprising:
- inserting a heart valve into the body, the heart valve having an expanded state and a collapsed state, where the heart valve is inserted while in the collapsed state;
positioning the heart valve proximate a desired implant site in the body;
expanding the heart valve to the expanded state by filling the heart valve with a hardenable fluid; and
hardening the hardenable fluid such that the heart valve is set in the expanded state at the desired implant site.
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Abstract
A system and method are disclosed for implanting a medical device (12) into a body. The medical device (12) has an expanded state and a collapsed state and is inserted into the body while in the collapsed state. The medical device (12) is positioned proximate a desired implant site (14) in the body, and the medical device (12) is expanded to the expanded state by filling the medical device (12) with a hardenable fluid (18). The hardenable fluid (18) is then hardened such that the medical device (12) is set in the expanded state at the desired implant site (14).
187 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for implanting a heart valve into a body, comprising:
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inserting a heart valve into the body, the heart valve having an expanded state and a collapsed state, where the heart valve is inserted while in the collapsed state; positioning the heart valve proximate a desired implant site in the body; expanding the heart valve to the expanded state by filling the heart valve with a hardenable fluid; and hardening the hardenable fluid such that the heart valve is set in the expanded state at the desired implant site. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 16)
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9. A system for implanting a heart valve into a body, comprising:
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a heart valve having an expanded state and a collapsed state; and a source for hardenable fluid, the source coupled in fluid communication with the heart valve; the heart valve operable to be inserted into the body while in the collapsed state and positioned proximate a desired implant site in the body; the source operable to fill the heart valve with the hardenable fluid and thereby expand the heart valve to the expanded state; and the hardenable fluid operable to harden such that the heart valve is set in the expanded state at the desired implant site. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification