CARDIOVASCULAR VALVE ASSEMBLY WITH RESIZABLE DOCKING STATION
A cardiovascular valve assembly comprised of a base member and an exchangeable valve member detachably mountable thereto. The base member includes a tubular body. The valve member includes a valve frame that supports a plurality of valve leaflets. The diameter of the tubular body can be increased to receive an exchangeable valve member having larger dimensions.
1 . A valve assembly comprising:
a base member deformable to increase the dimensions thereof; and
a valve member including a valve frame and a plurality of leaflets supported by the valve frame, said valve member detachably mountable to said base member.
2 . A valve assembly according to claim 1 ,
wherein said base member includes:
a tubular body having an adjustable diameter, and
a mounting element attached to the tubular body; and
wherein said valve member includes:
a coupling element attached to the valve frame, said coupling element engageable with the mounting element to detachably mount said valve member to said base member.
3 . A valve assembly according to claim 2 , wherein said tubular body is a mesh comprised of a plurality of intersecting elongate members, said elongate members intersecting at intersection points.
4 . A valve assembly according to claim 2 , wherein said adjustable diameter of said tubular body can be sequentially increased to receive a series of valve members having valve frames of incrementally larger diameter.
5 . A valve assembly according to claim 2 , wherein said base member includes a securing element that is moveable relative to the tubular body to maintain an aspect ratio after enlargement of the diameter of the tubular body.
6 . A valve assembly according to claim 2 ,
wherein said wherein said valve member further comprises:
a finger extending from the valve frame, and
wherein said valve member further comprises:
a securing element attached to said tubular body for capturing said finger.
7 . A valve assembly according to claim 6 , wherein said securing element includes:
a pair of arms pivotally connected to said tubular body, said arms moveable relative to each other when the diameter of said tubular body is adjusted; and
a strap extending between said pair of arms to define an opening dimensioned to receive said finger.
8 . A valve assembly according to claim 6 , wherein said securing element includes:
a pair of arms pivotally connected to said tubular body, said arms moveable relative to each other when the diameter of said tubular body is adjusted; and
a band attached to said pair of arms to define an opening dimensioned to receive said finger.
9 . A valve assembly according to claim 6 , wherein said securing element includes:
a band attached to said tubular body to define an opening dimensioned to receive said finger.
10 . A valve assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said valve assembly includes:
engagement means for detachably mounting the valve member to the base member.
11 . A valve assembly according to claim 10 , wherein said engagement means includes:
a coupling element comprising a portion of said valve member; and
a mounting element comprising a portion of said base member.
12 . A valve assembly comprising:
a base member deformable to increase the dimensions thereof, said base member including:
a tubular body having an adjustable diameter,
a plurality of mounting elements attached to the tubular body,
a plurality of securing elements attached to the tubular body; and
a valve member detachably mountable to said base member, said valve member including:
a valve frame and a plurality of leaflets supported by the valve frame,
a plurality of coupling elements attached to the valve frame, each said coupling element engageable with a respective mounting element to detachably mount said valve member to said base member, and
a plurality of fingers attached to the valve frame, each finger capturable by a respective securing element of the base member.
13 . A valve assembly according to claim 12 , wherein said tubular body is a mesh comprised of a plurality of intersecting elongate members, said elongate members intersecting at intersection points.
15 . A valve assembly according to claim 12 , wherein said adjustable diameter of said tubular body can be sequentially increased to receive a series of valve members having valve frames of incrementally larger diameter.
16 . A valve assembly according to claim 12 , each said securing element is moveable relative to the tubular body to maintain an aspect ratio after enlargement of the diameter of the tubular body.
17 . A valve assembly according to claim 12 , wherein each said securing element includes:
a pair of arms pivotally connected to said tubular body, said arms moveable relative to each other when the diameter of said tubular body is adjusted; and
a strap extending between said pair of arms to define an opening dimensioned to receive said finger.
18 . A valve assembly according to claim 12 , wherein each said securing element includes:
a pair of arms pivotally connected to said tubular body, said arms moveable relative to each other when the diameter of said tubular body is adjusted; and
a band attached to said pair of arms to define an opening dimensioned to receive said finger.
19 . A valve assembly according to claim 12 , wherein each said securing element includes:
a band attached to said tubular body to define an opening dimensioned to receive said finger.