Tools for removal and installation of exchangeable cardiovascular valves

1. A set of tools for facilitating installation and removal of a valve member of the valve assembly that includes the valve member detachably coupled to a base member, the set of tools comprising:

(a) a holding tool for holding the base member comprising:

a first body;

a plurality of fingers mounted to the first body and moveable between a collapsed position and an expanded position, said fingers engageable with the base member in the expanded position, and

a finger actuator for actuating movement of the fingers between the collapsed and expanded positions; and

(b) an exchange tool for installation and removal of a valve member, said exchange tool comprising:

a second body,

a plurality of arms mounted to the second body and moveable between a collapsed position and an expanded position, said arms engageable with the valve member in the expanded position, and

a first actuator for actuating movement of the arms between the collapsed and expanded positions,.

wherein one of said first body or said second body includes a groove and one of said first body or said second body includes a locating member, said groove dimensioned to engage with said locating member for limiting rotational axial movement of the exchange tool relative to the holding tool to orient the exchange tool relative to the valve member.

2. A set of tools according to claim 1 , wherein each of said fingers of said holding tool includes a protuberance dimensioned to be received by a depression formed in a surface of said base member.

3. A set of tools according to claim 1 , wherein each of said fingers of said holding tool includes a protuberance dimensioned to be received by a hole formed in said base member.

4. A set of tools according to claim 1 , wherein each of said fingers of said holding tool includes a depression dimensioned to receive a protuberance formed in a surface of said base member.

5. A set of tools according to claim 1 , wherein said first body defines a recess dimensioned to receive said exchange tool for detaching the valve member from the base member, and wherein said first body includes said groove and said second body includes said locating member.

6. A set of tools according to claim 5 , wherein said recess has an inner surface that includes said groove.

7. A set of tools according to claim 1 , wherein said holding tool further comprises:

a plurality of rods connecting said actuator with said plurality of fingers.

8. A set of tools according to claim 1 , wherein said plurality of fingers of said holding tool are pivotally connected with said first body.

9. A set of tools according to claim 1 , wherein said finger actuator of said holding tool is rotatable to effect movement of said plurality of fingers.

10. A set of tools according to claim 1 , wherein said second body includes said groove and said first body includes said locating member, wherein the groove of said exchange tool is dimensioned to engage with the locating member of said holding tool.

11. A set of tools according to claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of arms of said exchange tool includes a gripping element for grasping a portion of said valve member, said gripping element moveable between an open position and a closed position.

12. A set of tools according to claim 11 , wherein said exchange tool further comprises:

a second actuator for actuating movement of the gripping elements between the open and closed positions.

13. A set of tools according to claim 11 , wherein said second actuator moves a cable to effect movement of said gripping elements.

14. A set of tools according to claim 1 , wherein said first actuator moves an inner sleeve relative to said second body in order to effect movement of said arms.

15. A set of tools according to claim 14 , wherein said first actuator is connected with the inner sleeve by a cable.

16. A set of tools for facilitating the installation and removal of a valve member of a valve assembly that includes the valve member detachably coupled to a base member, the set of tools comprising:

(a) a holding tool for holding the base member comprising:

a tubular first body;

an inner rod moveable within the tubular first body;

an articulating joint member connected to the tubular first body and the inner rod, said articulating joint member moveable between a collapsed position and an expanded position, wherein movement of the inner rod relative to the tubular first body moves the articulating joint member between the collapsed and expanded positions; and

(b) an exchange tool for installation and removal of a valve member, said exchange tool comprising:

a second body,

a plurality of arms mounted to the second body and moveable between a collapsed position and an expanded position, said arms engageable with the valve member in the expanded position, and

a first actuator for actuating movement of the arms between the collapsed and expanded positions,

wherein one of said first body or said second body includes a groove and one of said first body or said second body includes a locating member, said groove dimensioned to engage with said locating member for limiting rotational axial movement of the exchange tool relative to the holding tool to orient the exchange tool relative to the valve member.

17. A set of tools according to claim 16 , wherein said second body defines an opening dimensioned to receive said holding tool, and wherein said second body includes said groove and said first body includes said locating member.

18. A set of tools according to claim 17 , wherein said groove is located within said opening.

19. A set of tools according to claim 16 , wherein said articulating joint member is comprised of:

a plurality of articulating legs, each of said legs including a protuberance dimensioned to be received by a depression formed in the base member of the valve assembly.

20. A set of tools according to claim 19 , wherein said articulating legs articulate such that said protuberances are maintained in alignment at a fixed angle relative to said depressions, as said legs are articulated.

21. A set of tools according to claim 16 , wherein said first body includes the locating member.

22. A set of tools according to claim 16 , wherein the set of tools further comprises:

a locating tool comprising:

a third body defining an opening dimensioned to receive the holding tool engageable with said base member,

a plurality of snare loops, each snare loop comprised of a snare wire,

a plurality of moveable sleeves, each sleeve enclosing a portion of a snare wire,

first control means for moving the snare loops between a retracted position and a loosened position, and

second control means for moving the sleeves between a retracted position and an extended position.

23. A set of tools according to claim 22 , wherein said first control means of said locating tool is a first sliding ring connected with the snare wires.

24. A set of tools according to claim 22 , wherein said second control means of said locating tool is a second sliding ring connected with the sleeves.

25. A set of tools according to claim 22 , wherein said snare loops are connected to adjacent snare loops by an adhesive.