Vascular implant and delivery method

摘要

A vascular implant for replacing a native heart valve comprises a self expanding stent supporting a valve body having leaflets. The stent preferably comprises an anchoring structure configured to prevent the implant from passing through the valve annulus. For delivery, the implant is compacted within a delivery device and secured at one end. During delivery the implant is partially released from the delivery device, and positioning of the implant can be verified prior to full release. The implant can be at least partially resheathed and repositioned if desired.

主权项

1. A method of delivering a replacement valve to a native mitral valve and securing the replacement valve relative to a native mitral valve annulus, the native mitral valve positioned between a left atrium and a left ventricle, the method comprising:
delivering a replacement valve into a patient, the replacement valve comprising:
an expandable frame extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, the frame comprising a non-circular cross section shaped to facilitate engagement with the native mitral valve annulus; anda valve body attached to the expandable frame; expanding the frame at the patient's native mitral valve annulus, wherein when the frame is in an expanded configuration:
the first end of the frame is located on a left atrial side of the native mitral valve annulus;the second end of the frame is located on a left ventricular side of the native mitral valve annulus; anda plurality of anchors connected to the frame extend away from the frame on the left ventricular side of the native mitral valve annulus, the plurality of anchors extending generally toward the first end of the frame and engaging tissue on the left ventricular side of the native mitral valve annulus radially outward from an inner edge of the native mitral valve annulus.