Heart valve repair
A device for repairing a native heart valve includes a reinforcing structure configured to couple to a portion of the native heart valve to remodel a geometry of the native heart valve, and at least one supporting member connected to the reinforcing structure.
1. A device for repairing a native heart valve, comprising:
an inflatable, collapsible and expandable, and continuously toroidal-shaped body having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter, the inner perimeter defining an unobstructed opening and the outer perimeter being capable of matching a perimeter of the native heart valve, the body being configured to couple to at least a portion of the annulus of the native heart valve to remodel a geometry of the native heart valve;
a plurality of flexible coils extending from the body for coupling the body to the native heart valve; and
a plurality of hooks extending from an underside of the body for coupling the body to native valve leaflets.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a rigid brace configured to couple to a fibrous ring of the native heart valve.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the body further includes an inflation port capable of receiving an inflation medium.
4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the inflation medium is selected from one of saline, a gas, a polymeric material, a nitinol foam, or a gel.
5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the inner perimeter and the outer perimeter are concentric.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of flexible coils extend from the underside of the body.