PROSTHETIC HEART VALVE DELIVERY APPARATUS

摘要

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a prosthetic valve (e.g., prosthetic heart valve) and a valve delivery apparatus for delivery of the prosthetic valve to a native valve site via the human vasculature. The delivery apparatus is particularly suited for advancing a prosthetic heart valve through the aorta (i.e., in a retrograde approach) for replacing a diseased native aortic valve. The delivery apparatus in particular embodiments is configured to deploy a prosthetic valve from a delivery sheath in a precise and controlled manner at the target location within the body.

主权项

1. A prosthetic valve delivery assembly, comprising:
a prosthetic valve comprising a self-expandable stent having a plurality of apices spaced circumferentially around a first end portion of the stent, wherein each apex has an aperture; an elongate shaft located proximal to the prosthetic valve; a suture-retention member located distal to the shaft, the suture-retention member comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion spaced from the proximal portion, the proximal portion being coupled to the shaft; at least one slidable release member extending through the proximal portion and the distal portion of the suture-retention member; a plurality of suture loops extending from the proximal portion of the suture-retention member, through the apertures in the apices of the stent, and around the release member at a location between the proximal and distal portions of suture-retention member, wherein at least one of the suture loops extends through the aperture of every apex; and an outer sheath which can be advanced over the prosthetic valve to retain the prosthetic valve in a radially compressed state and retracted relative to the prosthetic valve to permit radial expansion of the prosthetic valve, while the stent remains connected to the suture-retention member via the suture loops; wherein after the entirety of the prosthetic valve is deployed from the sheath, the sheath can be advanced distally back over the prosthetic valve to cause the prosthetic valve to radially collapse as it is recaptured by the sheath.