Devices and methods for delivery of valve prostheses

1. A method for deploying a heart valve prosthesis within an aortic valve, the method comprising:

providing an implantation device and a valve prosthesis carried by the implantation device, the valve prosthesis having (i) a radially expandable support frame, and (ii) a valve clasper movably coupled to the support frame, the implantation device having a control unit, a track wire, and first and second sheaths, the track wire having a proximal end attached to the control unit and a distal end removably coupled with the valve clasper, the first sheath and second sheath each encasing at least a portion of the valve prosthesis in a compact condition, the second sheath being positioned serially to and distally from the first sheath;

inserting at least the distal end of the implantation device into a femoral artery of a patient;

advancing the implantation device to the aortic valve; and

releasing the valve prosthesis at the aortic valve.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising proximally withdrawing the first sheath relative to the valve clasper to permit expansion of the valve clasper.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising manipulating the track wire to advance the valve clasper into a sinus of the aortic valve.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising detaching the track wire from the valve clasper to release the valve clasper at the aortic valve.

5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising pulling the track wire in a proximal direction until a u-shaped member of the valve clasper contacts a floor of an aortic valve sinus.

6. The method of claim 2 , further comprising sliding the second sheath in a distal direction relative to the support frame to release the support frame from the first sheath, whereby the support frame expands to an expanded position.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising adjusting a position of the support frame such that a distal edge of the support frame is disposed approximately adjacent to the valve clasper.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the adjusting the position of the support frame comprises pushing the first sheath in a distal direction.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the releasing comprises interposing an aortic valve leaflet between the valve clasper and the support frame.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the valve prosthesis comprises a plurality of flexible leaflets attached to the support frame.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the valve clasper is movably coupled to the support frame to permit the valve clasper to be movable relative to the support frame from an engagement configuration in which the valve clasper and the support frame are collapsed against the implantation device to a nesting configuration in which the support frame is positioned within the valve clasper.

12. A method for deploying a heart valve prosthesis within an aortic valve annulus, the method comprising:

inserting an implantation device into a femoral artery of a patient, the implantation device carrying an expandable support frame of the valve prosthesis within a frame sheath of the device and a valve clasper of the valve prosthesis within an anchor sheath of the device;

advancing the implantation device to the aortic valve;

moving the anchor sheath of the implantation device longitudinally relative to the valve clasper to expose at least a portion of the valve clasper;

engaging the valve clasper with the aortic valve annulus;

after engaging the valve clasper with the aortic valve annulus, longitudinally positioning the support frame within the valve clasper;

moving the frame sheath of the implantation device longitudinally relative to the support frame to permit expansion of the support frame; and

removing the implantation device from the patient.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the moving the anchor sheath comprises proximally retracting the anchor sheath relative to the valve clasper.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the moving the frame sheath comprises distally advancing the frame sheath relative to the support frame.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the longitudinally positioning comprises proximally retracting the support frame relative to the valve clasper to position the support frame within the valve clasper.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the engaging the valve clasper comprises proximally retracting the valve clasper to engage valve leaflets of the aortic valve.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the moving the frame sheath comprises permitting the support frame to expand and compress against valve leaflets of the aortic valve within the valve clasper.

18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the valve clasper is movably coupled to the support frame.

19. The method of claim 12 , wherein the frame sheath is positioned serially to and distally from the anchor sheath.

20. A method for deploying a heart valve prosthesis within an aortic valve annulus, the method comprising:

inserting an implantation device into a patient, the implantation device carrying an expandable support frame of the valve prosthesis within a frame sheath of the device and a valve clasper of the valve prosthesis within an anchor sheath of the device, the valve clasper being movably coupled to the support frame;

advancing the implantation device to the aortic valve;

moving the anchor sheath of the implantation device longitudinally relative to the valve clasper to expose at least a portion of the valve clasper;

engaging the valve clasper with the aortic valve annulus;

moving the frame sheath of the implantation device longitudinally relative to the support frame to permit expansion of the support frame; and

removing the implantation device from the patient.

21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the moving the anchor sheath comprises proximally retracting the anchor sheath relative to the valve clasper.

22. The method of claim 20 , wherein the moving the frame sheath comprises distally advancing the frame sheath relative to the support frame.

23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the longitudinally positioning comprises proximally retracting the support frame relative to the valve clasper to position the support frame within the valve clasper.

24. The method of claim 20 , wherein the engaging the valve clasper comprises proximally retracting the valve clasper to engage valve leaflets of the aortic valve.

25. The method of claim 20 , wherein the moving the frame sheath comprises permitting the support frame to expand and compress against valve leaflets of the aortic valve within the valve clasper.

26. The method of claim 20 , wherein the frame sheath is positioned serially to and distally from the anchor sheath.