Method and apparatus for resecting and replacing an aortic valve

1. A method for delivering a device to a given location within a heart, the method comprising:

passing a first catheter through the left atrium of the heart, through the mitral valve and into the left ventricle, and passing a second catheter through the aorta toward the heart, one or the other of the first catheter and the second catheter with the device attached thereto forming a device-carrying assembly for engagement with the remaining catheter;

causing the device-carrying assembly and the remaining catheter to engage one another so as to form a connection therebetween;

retracting one of the device-carrying assembly and the remaining catheter in a direction opposite to the other of the device-carrying assembly and the remaining catheter so as to position the device relative to the given location within the heart.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the device of the device-carrying assembly and the remaining catheter engage one another.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the catheter of the device-carrying assembly and the remaining catheter engage one another.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the device comprises a prosthesis.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the prosthesis comprises an artificial valve.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the device comprises a debridement tool.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the device-carrying assembly and the remaining catheter form a mechanical interconnection.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first and second catheters are manipulated using a coordinated pull-push action.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first and second catheters are manipulated so as to effect a reciprocating motion for the device.

10. A system for delivering a device to a given location within a heart, the system comprising:

a first catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the first catheter configured to pass through the left atrium-the mitral valve and into the left ventricle of the heart;

a second catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the second catheter configured to pass through the aorta and the aortic valve; and

a device to be delivered within a heart, including a first mount and a second mount, wherein the mounts selectively secure the device to at least one of the distal ends of the first and second catheters in order to selectively connect at least one of the first and second catheters to the device separately or at the same time;

whereby the device can be positioned relative to a given location within the heart by selectively retracting one of the first catheter and the second catheter while at least one of the first catheter and second catheter is connected to the device so as to move the device through the heart.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the device-carrying assembly and the remaining catheter form a magnetic interconnection.

12. A method for delivering a device to a given location within a heart, the method comprising:

advancing a first catheter through the left atrium of the heart, through the mitral valve and into the left ventricle;

advancing a second catheter through the aorta toward the heart, advancing the second catheter through the aortic valve;

delivering the device within the heart as attached to one of the first catheter and the second catheter;

connecting the first catheter and the second catheter together; and

retracting one of the first catheter and the second catheter in a direction opposite to one another so as to position the device relative to the given location within the heart.

13. A method for positioning a device at a given location within a heart, the method comprising:

inserting a distal end of a first catheter into a left atrium of the heart;

inserting a distal end of a second catheter into an aorta toward the heart;

delivering the device as attached to one of the first catheter and the second catheter;

advancing at least one of the distal end of the first catheter and the distal end of the second catheter through the heart to position the distal end of the first catheter and the distal end of the second catheter adjacent to one another;

attaching the first catheter and the second catheter to one another;

retracting one of the first catheter and the second catheter, with the device in attachment to one of the first catheter and the second catheter, so as to position the device adjacent to the given location within the heart.

14. A method according to claim 13 further comprising the steps of detaching the first catheter and the second catheter from one another, and withdrawing the distal end of the first catheter through the left atrium and withdrawing the distal end of the second catheter through the aorta.

15. A method according to claim 13 wherein the first catheter is a debridement catheter carrying a debridement tool.

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the second catheter is a transvalvular catheter configured to pass through the aortic valve prior to attachment with the debridement tool.

17. A method according to claim 13 wherein the distal end of the first catheter comprises a first magnet and the distal end of the second catheter comprises a second magnet, and wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are configured to selectively attach the first catheter and the second catheter to one another.

18. A method according to claim 13 further comprising the step of disconnecting the first catheter and the second catheter from one another.

19. A method according to claim 18 further comprising the step of removing the first catheter and the second catheter from the heart.