DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HEART VALVE REPLACEMENT
A heart valve repair device may include a support configured to extend through a native annulus of a native heart valve, wherein the support comprises an upstream portion and a downstream portion; an annular expandable retainer extending from the upstream portion of the support, and an arm extending from the downstream portion of the support. The annular expandable retainer may include a C-shaped cross-section that is open inwardly. The arm may be configured to reach behind a leaflet of the native heart valve and sandwich the leaflet between the arm and the support.
1 . A prosthetic heart valve device comprising:
a valve support having an inflow end and an outflow end extending along a longitudinal axis, the valve support comprising a frame formed of a self-expanding biocompatible metal or metal alloy including a plurality of posts and a plurality of struts forming cells;
a retainer coupled to the valve support, the retainer including a plurality of ribs extending radially outwardly and proximally from an inflow end portion of the valve support, the ribs being distributed around a perimeter of the valve support, the retainer configured to engage tissue, wherein each rib includes a first end coupled to the frame of the valve support and a second, free end, wherein the plurality of ribs are independent such that each rib is unconnected to any other rib of the plurality of ribs; and
a prosthetic valve disposed within and coupled to the valve support.
2 . The prosthetic heart valve device of claim 1 , wherein each rib is curved in a longitudinal direction.
3 . The prosthetic heart valve device of claim 2 , wherein each rib is generally C-shaped with an open portion thereof facing radially inward.
4 . The prosthetic heart valve device of claim 1 , wherein the first end of each rib is coupled to a corresponding post of the frame.
5 . The prosthetic heart valve device of claim 1 , further comprising a sealing member coupled to the retainer.
6 . The prosthetic heart valve device of claim 1 , further comprising a sealing member coupled to the valve support.
7 . The prosthetic heart valve device of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of arms extending radially outwardly and proximally from an outflow end portion of the frame.
8 . The prosthetic heart valve device of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of arms are independent of each other.
9 . The prosthetic heart valve device of claim 7 , further comprising including interconnecting arm struts extending circumferentially connecting at least some of the plurality of arms together.
10 . The prosthetic heart valve device of claim 9 , wherein the interconnecting arm struts are circumferentially expandable.
11 . The prosthetic heart valve device of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of arms include tissue engaging elements extending outwardly therefrom.
12 . The prosthetic heart valve device of claim 7 , wherein the arms are interspersed circumferentially between the ribs.
13 . The prosthetic heart valve device of claim 7 , wherein the retainer and the plurality of arms are configured to clamp or sandwich tissue.
14 . The prosthetic heart valve device of claim 1 , wherein the valve support includes tissue engaging elements extending outwardly therefrom.
15 . The prosthetic heart valve device of claim 1 , wherein the retainer includes tissue engaging elements extending outwardly therefrom.
16 . The prosthetic heart valve device of claim 1 , wherein the valve support is mechanically isolated from the retainer such that the cross-sectional shape of the valve support remains sufficiently stable when the retainer is deformed in a non-circular shape by engagement with tissue.
17 . The prosthetic heart valve device of claim 1 , wherein the retainer is coupled to the valve support so as to mechanically isolate the valve support from distorting force exerted on the retainer by native anatomy.
18 . The prosthetic heart valve device of claim 1 , wherein the valve support has a first radial strength and the retainer has a second radial strength, wherein the first radial strength is greater than the second radial strength.
19 . The prosthetic heart valve device of claim 18 , wherein the first radial strength is at least 100% or at least 200% or at least 300% greater than the second radial strength.