Low profile manipulators for heart valve prostheses

摘要

A manipulable low profile heart valve holder that can be pivotally attached to a handle that permits the heart valve holder and a retained heart valve prosthesis to be manipulated remotely during implantation. The heart valve holder is pivotable from a position wherein the plane of the orifice of a retained heart valve is parallel to the axis of the handle, to a second position wherein the plane of the retained heart valve is substantially 90 DEG to the axis of the handle. This pivoting arrangement particularly aids in manipulation of the heart valve prosthesis during implantation using trocars for access to the body cavity. Manipulation is accomplished by having controllable elements on the handle and retained on the exterior of the patient. Manipulation of the heart valve holder also may be done through separate instruments operating through separate trocars.