Methods and apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve

摘要

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. The apparatus includes a replacement valve and an anchor having an expandable braid. In some embodiments, the expandable braid is fabricated from a single strand of wire. In some embodiments, the expandable braid comprises at least one turn feature. The anchor and the valve preferably are configured for endovascular delivery and deployment.

主权项

1. Apparatus for replacing a native aortic valve, the apparatus comprising:
a replacement heart valve having a first valve end and a second valve end, the replacement heart valve comprising:
an anchor comprising an expandable braided material that comprises an outer surface and an inner surface, the expandable braided material extending from the first valve end to the second valve end, the inner surface defining a lumen, the braided material comprising a plurality of strand sections that slide with respect to each other as the anchor expands from a delivery configuration to a deployed configuration, the anchor decreasing in longitudinal length as the anchor expands from the delivery configuration to the deployed configuration, the anchor being adapted to be endovascularly delivered to an anchor site within the native aortic valve in the delivery configuration and secured at the anchor site within the native aortic valve in the deployed configuration; anda replacement valve secured to, and positioned inside the lumen of, the anchor, wherein the replacement valve includes a longitudinally-oriented valve support adapted to support the replacement valve within the anchor, wherein the valve support maintains a uniform longitudinal length before, during, and after the anchor expands from the delivery configuration to the deployed configuration.