Methods and apparatuses for deploying minimally-invasive heart valves
US9848985B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 5, 2016 |
| Grant date | Dec 26, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 5, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2/2427
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for delivering and deploying a self-expandable heart valve to a site of implantation such as the aortic annulus includes a deployment mechanism that engages the valve and regulates the rate of expansion of both the proximal and distal ends thereof. The heart valve may be a rolled-type valve and the deployment mechanism may include a plurality of distal fingers and a plurality of proximal fingers that engage the outer layer of the heart valve. Controlled radial movement of the fingers regulates the unwinding of the rolled heart valve. The deployment mechanism may include an umbrella structure that forces the rolled valve outward into its fully expanded configuration. Alternatively, a gear shaft that engages one or more gear tracks on the valve may be utilized to regulate expansion of the valve.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.