Method of treating a patient using a retrievable transcatheter prosthetic heart valve

摘要

An implantable prosthetic valve has an in situ formable support structure. The valve comprises a prosthetic valve, having a base and at least one flow occluder. A first flexible component is incapable of retaining the valve at a functional site in the arterial vasculature. The first component extends proximally of the base of the valve. A second flexible component is incapable of retaining the valve at a functional site in the arterial vasculature. The second component extends distally of the base of the valve. At least one rigidity component combines with at least one of the first and second flexible components to impart sufficient rigidity to the first or second components to retain the valve at the site.

主权项

1. A method for replacing a patient's native heart valve, the method comprising:
delivering an expandable first carrier element and a first replacement valve endovascularly to a vicinity of the native heart valve, the first replacement valve configured to allow the flow of blood through the first replacement valve in a first direction and prevent the flow of blood through the first replacement valve in a second direction; expanding the first carrier element from a collapsed delivery configuration to an at least partially expanded configuration in the vicinity of the native heart valve, wherein during expansion of the first carrier element, a distal end of the first carrier element is expanded prior to a proximal end of the first carrier element being expanded, the proximal end of the first carrier element being expanded without urging the proximal end of the first carrier element toward the distal end of the first carrier element, the first replacement valve allowing the flow of blood through the first replacement valve in a first direction and preventing the flow of blood through the first replacement valve in a second direction after expanding the distal end of the first carrier element and prior to expanding the proximal end of the first carrier element; evaluating the position or function of the first carrier element and the first replacement valve; at least partially collapsing the first carrier element from the at least partially expanded configuration to a moveable configuration; completely removing the first carrier element and exchanging the first carrier element with a second carrier element having a second replacement valve, the second replacement valve configured to allow the flow of blood through the second replacement valve in the first direction and prevent the flow of blood through the second replacement valve in the second direction; and expanding the second carrier element from a collapsed delivery configuration to an expanded configuration to secure the second carrier element in the vicinity of the native heart valve, wherein during expansion of the second carrier element, a distal end of the second carrier element is expanded prior to a proximal end of the second carrier element being expanded, the proximal end of the second carrier element being expanded without urging the proximal end of the second carrier element toward the distal end of the second carrier element, the second replacement valve allowing the flow of blood through the second replacement valve in a first direction and preventing the flow of blood through the second replacement valve in a second direction after expanding the distal end of the second carrier element and prior to expanding the proximal end of the second carrier element.