COLLAPSIBLE DOCKING STATION
A collapsible docking station for a valve assembly that includes the collapsible docking station and an exchangeable valve member detachably coupled thereto. The collapsible docking station includes a band that is moveable between a collapsed position where the band forms a wound coil, and a fully expanded position where the band forms a circular ring.
1 . A collapsible docking station engageable with a detachable valve member having valve leaflets, said collapsible docking station including:
a band moveable between a collapsed position and an expanded position; and
a plurality of posts adapted to engage with the detachable valve member.
2 . A collapsible docking station according to claim 1 , wherein said band forms a coil comprised of a plurality of concentric circles in the collapsed position and forms a circular ring in the expanded position.
3 . A collapsible docking station according to claim 1 , wherein said plurality of posts includes at least one post fixed to the band.
4 . A collapsible docking station according to claim 3 , wherein said at least one post fixed to the band includes a channel for receiving a string attached at one end to said band for expansion of said band.
5 . A collapsible docking station according to claim 1 , wherein said plurality of posts includes at least one post fixed to the band and a plurality of floating posts moveable relative to the band.
6 . A collapsible docking station according to claim 5 , wherein said collapsible docking station includes a plurality of strings attached to the band to respectively adjust the position of the plurality of floating posts.
7 . A collapsible docking station according to claim 6 , wherein each of said plurality of floating posts includes a channel for receiving a respective string.
8 . A collapsible docking station according to claim 1 , wherein said collapsible docking station includes at least one string attached to the band to expand said band to the fully expanded position.
9 . A collapsible docking station according to claim 1 , wherein said band includes a locking member for locking said band in a fully expanded position.
10 . A collapsible docking station according to claim 1 , wherein said band has a concave or convex shape in the circumferential direction.
11 . A collapsible docking station according to claim 1 , wherein said band includes engagement means for engaging with a tool for facilitating movement between the collapsed position and the expanded position.
12 . A collapsible docking station according to claim 1 , wherein each of said posts include an engagement portion for coupling the detachable valve member to said collapsible docking station.