PROSTHETIC HEART VALVE DELIVERY
A prosthetic heart delivery assembly can provide dynamic control of the components of a valve prosthesis during delivery and placement at a target site. The assembly can permit expansion of a valve anchor and thereafter permit adjustment of the position of the valve anchor using a position control element and/or via a link mechanism coupled to a valve frame of the prosthesis. The assembly can therefore allow a surgeon to adjust the prosthesis's position in both longitudinal and rotational directions at the target site.
1 . A valve delivery device assembly comprising:
a valve prosthesis having a valve frame that is coupled a valve anchor via a link mechanism; and
a distal carrier assembly configured to support the valve frame in a collapsed configuration during delivery; and
a sheath configured to support the valve anchor in a collapsed configuration during delivery, the sheath being movable relative to the distal carrier assembly to release the valve anchor such that when the valve anchor is released from the assembly, the distal carrier assembly can be moved relative to the valve anchor to engage the link mechanism with the valve anchor and thereafter limit motion of the valve frame relative to the valve anchor.
2 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the link mechanism is slidable along the valve anchor, the valve anchor comprising an engagement area whereat the link mechanism can be engaged and constrained from further sliding movement.
3 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the link mechanism comprises a suture that is slidably coupled to the valve anchor and fixedly coupled to the valve frame.
4 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein distal carrier assembly comprises a distal enclosure and a proximal enclosure that are movable relative to each other for collectively supporting the valve frame during delivery and release therefrom.
5 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the link mechanism is coupled to the valve frame at a substantially fixed position when the valve frame is engaged by the distal carrier assembly, prior to release of the valve frame therefrom.
6 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein assembly comprises a system length of less than 4 feet.
7 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein assembly comprises a system length of less than 3 feet.
8 . The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a sheath control element configured to enable a surgeon to permit expansion the valve anchor and a position control element configured to enable the surgeon to control a rotational or longitudinal position of the valve anchor during placement of the valve anchor in a patient.
9 . A method for delivering a prosthetic heart valve prosthesis, the method comprising:
introducing the valve prosthesis into a patient, the valve prosthesis including a valve anchor that is coupled to a valve frame via a link mechanism;
actuating a sheath control element to permit expansion of the valve anchor;
actuating a position control element to adjust a rotational or longitudinal position of the valve anchor relative to a target location;
releasing the valve anchor at the target location; and
moving the valve frame relative to the valve anchor to cause the link mechanism to engage with the valve anchor and thereby restrict a range of movement of the valve frame relative to the valve anchor.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the moving comprises urging the valve frame in an anterograde direction to cause the link mechanism to engage with respective peak portions of the valve anchor.
11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the target location comprises an aortic valve.
12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the moving comprises causing the link mechanism to slide along at least a portion of the valve anchor.
13 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising permitting expansion of the valve frame into engagement with the valve anchor.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein prior to the permitting expansion of the valve frame, the method further comprises moving the valve frame into a lumen of the valve anchor.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the moving the valve frame into the valve anchor comprises moving the valve frame until further movement of the valve frame relative to the valve anchor is restricted by the link mechanism.
16 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising applying tension to the link mechanism until the link mechanism is taut and exerting a force via the link mechanism on the valve anchor to pull the valve anchor distally relative to the target location.
17 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising applying tension to the link mechanism until the link mechanism is taut and exerting a force via the link mechanism to rotate a position of the valve anchor relative to the target location.