FLARED PROSTHETIC CARDIAC VALVE DELIVERY DEVICES AND SYSTEMS
A device for treating a diseased native valve in a patient is provided, the device including a frame structure; a valve segment positioned radially within the frame structure, the valve segment comprising a plurality of leaflets, and a plurality of commissure attachment mechanisms coupling the leaflets to the frame structure, each commissure attachment mechanism extending radially inwards from an outflow end of the frame structure as to create a gap between an interior diameter of the outflow end and an outflow edge of the valve segment. Other embodiments and methods of use are also provided.
1 . (canceled)
2 . A device for treating a diseased native valve in a patient, the device comprising:
a frame structure comprising an annular central portion, a flared inflow portion, and a flared outflow portion;
a valve segment positioned radially within the frame structure, the valve segment comprising a plurality of leaflets; and
an internal skirt attached to the frame structure, the internal skirt comprising a plurality of convex segments configured to at least partially conform to inflow edges of the leaflets.
3 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the convex segments have a greater radius of curvature than the inflow edges of the leaflets.
4 . The device of claim 2 , wherein an outflow edge of the internal skirt comprises a zig-zag pattern configured to match a cell pattern of the frame structure.
5 . The device of claim 2 , wherein an outflow edge of the internal skirt is attached to the frame proximate to the annular central portion.
6 . The device of claim 2 , wherein an outflow edge of the internal skirt does not extend to an outflow end of the frame structure.
7 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the inflow edges of the leaflets are unsupported by the frame structure.
8 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the inflow edges of the leaflets are spaced radially inwards from an inflow end of the frame structure.
9 . The device of claim 2 , further comprising a spiral anchor configured to be placed around the frame structure.
10 . A device for treating a diseased native valve in a patient, the device comprising:
a frame structure comprising an annular central portion, a flared inflow portion, and a flared outflow portion;
a valve segment positioned radially within the frame structure, the valve segment comprising a plurality of leaflets; and
an external skirt attached to the frame structure, the external skirt comprising a unitary structure covering the flared inflow portion and the flared outflow portion.
11 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the external skirt comprises a tube knit fabric.
12 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the external skirt comprises a coating thereon.
13 . The device of claim 10 , further comprising a spiral anchor configured to be placed around the frame structure.
14 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the external skirt is wrapped over an outflow edge of the frame structure.
15 . The device of claim 10 , further comprising an additional skirt layered with the external skirt.
16 . The device of claim 15 , wherein the additional skirt is positioned along the flared outflow portion.
17 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the additional skirt is positioned along a central annular portion of the frame structure.