Apparatus and method for implanting collapsible/expandable prosthetic heart valves

摘要

Apparatus for delivering a prosthetic heart valve into a patient by means that are less invasive than conventional open-chest, open-heart surgery. The prosthetic valve may be collapsed while in a delivery device. When the valve reaches the desired implant site in the patient, the valve can be released from the delivery device, which allows the valve to re-expand to the configuration in which it can function as a heart valve. For example, the delivery device may be constructed to facilitate delivery of the prosthetic valve into the patient via the apex of the patient's heart.

主权项

1. Apparatus for delivering a prosthetic heart valve into a patient, comprising:
a longitudinal outer shaft extending from a proximal portion of the apparatus to a distal portion of the apparatus; a longitudinal inner shaft disposed inside the outer shaft, the inner shaft being longitudinally movable relative to the outer shaft; a tip structure mounted on a distal portion of the inner shaft for substantially closing a distal end of the outer shaft when the inner shaft is pulled proximally back relative to the outer shaft; a prosthetic heart valve disposed around the inner shaft proximal of the tip structure and inside a distal portion of the outer shaft, the prosthetic valve being releasable from the apparatus when the tip structure is moved distally away from the distal end of the outer shaft and the prosthetic valve is shifted distally beyond the distal end of the outer shaft; a collar structure disposed around the inner shaft and spaced proximally from the tip structure, the prosthetic valve being positioned between the collar structure and the tip structure; and a plurality of strands releasably securing the prosthetic valve to the collar structure.