Biologically implantable prosthesis and methods of using the same
First Claim
1. A method of using a prosthetic heart valve assembly, the method comprising:
- implanting a first prosthesis directly into a native annulus, the first prosthesis having a central longitudinal axis, a first wall segment, a second wall segment adjacent the first wall segment and angled relative to the longitudinal axis, a first engagement element positioned on the first wall segment, and a second engagement element positioned on the second wall segment; and
engaging the first engagement element of the first prosthesis with a third engagement element of a second prosthesis and engaging the second engagement element with a fourth engagement element of the second prosthesis to securely couple the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis, the second prosthesis having a prosthetic valve,wherein the first engagement element engages the second engagement element by moving the second prosthesis towards the first prosthesis in a direction generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis until the first engagement element engages the second engagement element.
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Abstract
A method of using a prosthetic heart valve assembly can include implanting a first prosthesis directly into a native annulus. The first prosthesis can have a central longitudinal axis and a first engagement element. The method can also include engaging the first engagement element of the first prosthesis with a second engagement element of a second prosthesis to securely couple the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis. The second prosthesis can have a prosthetic valve. The first engagement element engages the second engagement element by moving the second prosthesis towards the first prosthesis in a direction generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis until the first engagement element engages the second engagement element.
727 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of using a prosthetic heart valve assembly, the method comprising:
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implanting a first prosthesis directly into a native annulus, the first prosthesis having a central longitudinal axis, a first wall segment, a second wall segment adjacent the first wall segment and angled relative to the longitudinal axis, a first engagement element positioned on the first wall segment, and a second engagement element positioned on the second wall segment; and engaging the first engagement element of the first prosthesis with a third engagement element of a second prosthesis and engaging the second engagement element with a fourth engagement element of the second prosthesis to securely couple the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis, the second prosthesis having a prosthetic valve, wherein the first engagement element engages the second engagement element by moving the second prosthesis towards the first prosthesis in a direction generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis until the first engagement element engages the second engagement element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of replacing a prosthetic valve comprising:
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disengaging a first engagement element of a first prosthesis with a second engagement element of a second prosthesis to uncouple the second prosthesis from the first prosthesis, wherein the first prosthesis is implanted in a native annulus, and wherein the second prosthesis comprises a prosthetic valve;
wherein disengaging the first engagement element with the second engagement element to uncouple the second prosthesis from the first prosthesis comprises deforming the second prosthesis such that the second engagement element disengages the first engagement element;
wherein deforming the second prosthesis comprises inserting a lever into a gap between the second prosthesis and the first prosthesis, the gap being defined by a scallop separating two lobes in a latitudinal cross-section in a plane perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the first prosthesis, the scallop being disposed closer to the central longitudinal axis within the plane than the two lobes, and applying a force to the second prosthesis with the lever to deform the second prosthesis such that the second engagement element disengages the first engagement element; andengaging a third engagement element of a third prosthesis with the first engagement element of the first prosthesis to securely couple the third prosthesis to the first prosthesis, wherein the third prosthesis comprises a prosthetic valve. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification