Transcatheter stented prosthetic heart valve delivery devices
Disclosed embodiments and methods provide solutions for coupling and decoupling of a delivery device from a stented prosthetic heart valve with one or more release mechanisms. In situations when one or more sutures get tangled or caught upon attempted retraction of the delivery device and sutures after deployment of the stented prosthetic heart valve, a secondary release mechanism can be provided to sever the suture(s) or release the suture(s) from the delivery device. Exemplary secondary release mechanisms include high resistance inserts, cutters and balloon expandable devices. Methods of releasing the sutures from the delivery device or severing the suture(s) are also disclosed.
1. A delivery device for delivering a stented prosthetic heart valve to a native heart valve; the delivery device comprising:
an inner shaft assembly on which the prosthetic heart valve can be releasably connected in a loaded state with a suture having a first end and a second end;
a primary release mechanism including a pin engaged with the first end of the suture configured for attempted release of the suture from the stented prosthetic heart valve; and
a secondary release mechanism engaged with the second end of the suture and configured to release the suture from the delivery device:
wherein the secondary release mechanism includes a sleeve that can be positioned to selectively retain and release the suture from the delivery device and the secondary release mechanism includes a pull pin; wherein the pull pin can adjust tension on the suture:
further wherein the pull pin defines a recess in which the suture can be positioned; wherein, in one position the sleeve is positioned over the recess to secure the suture within the recess and, in a second position, the sleeve is retracted proximally to release the suture from the recess.
2. The delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the second end comprising a retaining element and the first end comprising a loop.
3. The delivery device of claim 2 , wherein the retaining element comprises a knot.
4. The delivery device of claim 1 , comprising two sutures, wherein the sleeve can be positioned to selectively retain and release one respective end of each suture.
5. The delivery device of claim 4 , comprising three sutures.
6. The delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is configured to be positioned over the pull pin in the loaded state.
7. The delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the recess is provided in an outer circumference of the pull pin.