Methods and apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. The apparatus includes a replacement valve and an anchor having an expandable braid. In some embodiments, the expandable braid is fabricated from a single strand of wire. In some embodiments, the expandable braid comprises at least one turn feature. The anchor and the valve preferably are configured for endovascular delivery and deployment.
1. A medical device for placement in the heart, the medical device comprising:
an anchor comprising a braided wire, the anchor having a proximal end and a distal end;
a plurality of posts, each post defining a slot and a plurality of holes extending therethrough, the posts attached to the distal end of the anchor;
a plurality of buckles; and
a replacement heart valve, the replacement heart valve comprising a plurality of leaflets, at least a portion of the leaflets extending into the slots; the leaflets being secured to the plurality of posts, the posts being secured to the anchor via suture material extending through the holes thereof;
the anchor having an undeployed configuration and a fully deployed configuration, in the undeployed configuration the buckles are separated from the posts and in the fully deployed configuration the buckles are secured to the posts; the buckles being attached to the anchor in the undeployed configuration and the deployed configuration.
2. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the buckles are secured to the anchor via suture material.
3. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein, in the undeployed configuartion, the anchor has a first length and a first diameter and, in the fully deployed configuration the anchor has a second length and a second diameter, the first length different than the second length and the first diameter different than the second diameter.
4. The medical device of claim 3 , wherein the second length is less than the first length and the second diameter is more than the first diameter.
5. The medical device of claim 1 further comprising a deployment system that is reversibly coupled to the anchor.
6. The medical device of claim 5 , wherein the delivery system comprises a delivery sheath.
7. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the replacement heart valve comprises animal tissue.
8. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the braided wire is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of nickel-titanium, cobalt-chromium, and stainless steel.