VALVE PROSTHESES HAVING AN INTEGRAL CENTERING MECHANISM AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF

摘要

A transcatheter valve prosthesis (200) including a tubular stent (202), a prosthetic valve component disposed within and secured to the stent, and a centering mechanism (220) coupled to and encircling an outer surface of the tubular stent. The centering mechanism includes a self-expanding centering ring (222) having an expanded diameter in the expanded configuration that is greater than an expanded diameter of the tubular stent in the expanded configuration and a plurality of self-expanding spokes (224) radially extending between the tubular stent and the centering ring. The centering mechanism may include a base ring and/or a skirt. Alternatively, the centering mechanism includes a plurality of self-expanding loops. When each loop is in a delivery configuration the loop has a straightened profile that proximally extends from a proximal end of the tubular stent. When each loop is in an expanded configuration the loop has a U-shaped profile radially spaced apart from the tubular stent.