REPLACEMENT HEART VALVES, DELIVERY DEVICES AND METHODS

摘要

A replacement heart valve and method of treating valve insufficiency includes an expandable frame configured to engage a native valve annulus. A valve body is coupled to the frame. The valve body can include a leaflet portion and possibly a skirt portion. A portion of the frame has a foreshortening portion configured to longitudinally expand when urged to a radially compacted state and longitudinally contract when urged to a radially expanded state. In one embodiment the valve skirt is attached to the frame so that it can adapt to changes in the length of the frame. A delivery device in some embodiments can use one or more coverings, such as sheaths, to controllably release the replacement heart valve at a native heart valve.

主权项

1. A method of delivering a replacement valve to a native mitral valve and securing the replacement valve relative to the native mitral valve annulus, the native mitral valve annulus supporting native leaflets, the method comprising:
delivering a replacement valve mounted on a delivery device to the native mitral valve annulus while the replacement valve is in a radially compacted state, the replacement valve comprising a radially expandable frame and a first plurality of anchors extending from the frame; and positioning the replacement valve so that tips of the first plurality of anchors are on a ventricular side of the native leaflets beyond a location where chordae tendineae connect to free ends of the native leaflets; releasing at least a portion of the replacement valve from the delivery device to thereby expand the first plurality of anchors radially outwardly; and engaging tips of the first plurality of anchors with tissue on a ventricular side of the native valve annulus with the first plurality of anchors extending between at least some of the chordae tendineae.