Medical device for a cardiac valve implant, and a method of manufacturing the medical device

1. A medical device for holding a cardiac valve implant, said medical device comprising:

a support defining first and second peripheral edges each with a curvature about which said cardiac valve implant can be fitted, wherein said support comprises:

a flexible grip section positioned between and connecting said first and second peripheral edges at opposite sides of said flexible grip section, said flexible grip section defining an opening for engagement with a gripper tool in use of said support, wherein said flexible grip section is recessed inwards relative to said first and second peripheral edges and thereby defines said opening between said support and said cardiac valve implant when said cardiac valve implant is held in place by said support;

wherein said flexible grip section forms a resilient portion of the support for resiliently holding said cardiac valve implant in place in said medical device;

wherein said support has an expanded circumference (C) in a first configuration, and a reduced circumference (C′) in a second configuration;

wherein a flexing of the flexible grip section allows a relative motion between said first and second peripheral edges and thereby a radial movement of said support between said second configuration and said first configuration; and

wherein said flexing of said flexible grip section occurs essentially in a plane of said support.

2. The medical device according to claim 1 , further comprising a third peripheral edge with a curvature about which said cardiac valve implant can be fitted, said third peripheral edge being connected to either of said first and second peripheral edges by a second grip section.

3. The medical device according to claim 1 , comprising a first engagement surface adapted to receive a tool for compressing said first engagement surface towards an opposite second engagement surface of said support in a compressed second configuration.

4. The medical device according to claim 1 , wherein said support comprises two free ends, wherein one of said free ends comprises a first engagement surface adapted to receive a tool for compressing one of said free ends towards an opposite second engagement surface of said support in a compressed second configuration.

5. The medical device according to claim 1 , wherein said support comprises two free ends, wherein the curvature of said first and second peripheral edges generally follows a three-dimensional path such that said free ends are axially off-set.

6. The medical device according to claim 3 , wherein at least one of said first and second engagements surfaces are defined by the inside surface of an engagement aperture.

7. The medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the entire support is flexible to allow a radial movement of said support between said second configuration and said first configuration.

8. The medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the width (W) of said flexible grip section is chosen to set a predetermined spring force constant of said support.

9. The medical device according to claim 1 , wherein said support is comprised of a monolithic piece of a polymer material.

10. The medical device according to claim 1 , wherein said medical device further comprises a locking mechanism for fixating said support in a first expanded configuration.

11. The medical device according to a claim 1 , wherein said support comprises a radially outwardly opening or groove along said first or second peripheral edge dimensioned to receive said cardiac valve implant.

12. The medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the curvature of said first and second peripheral edges generally follows a three-dimensional path such that said curvature conforms to said cardiac valve implant extending in a corresponding three-dimensional path.

13. The medical device according to claim 1 , wherein said support further comprises a friction reducing sheath along said first or second peripheral edge and extending in a radial direction to cover a portion of said cardiac valve implant when held in place by said medical device.

14. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein said support comprises a total of three peripheral edges and said flexible grip section and a second grip section.

15. The medical device of claim 14 , wherein a least one of said flexible grip section and the second grip section extends parallel to a portion of said cardiac valve implant.

16. A kit comprising the medical device according to claim 1 , and a tool comprising a grip member arranged for gripping the flexible grip section of said medical device.

17. A medical device for holding a cardiac valve implant, said medical device comprising:

a support defining first and second peripheral edges each with a curvature about which said cardiac valve implant can be fitted, wherein said support comprises:

a flexible grip section positioned between and connecting said first and second peripheral edges at opposite sides of said flexible grip section, said flexible grip section defining an opening for engagement with a gripper tool in use of said support, wherein said flexible grip section is recessed inwards relative to said first and second peripheral edges and thereby defines said opening between said support and said cardiac valve implant when said cardiac valve implant is held in place by said support;

wherein:

said flexible grip section forms a resilient portion of the support for resiliently holding said cardiac valve implant in place in said medical device;

said support has an expanded circumference (C) in a first configuration, and a reduced circumference (C′) in a second configuration;

a flexing of the flexible grip section allows a relative motion between said first and second peripheral edges and thereby a radial movement of said support between said second configuration and said first configuration; and

said flexing of said flexible grip section occurs in a plane spanned by said curvature about which said cardiac valve implant can be fitted.