Prosthetic Heart Valves, Scaffolding Structures, and Systems and Methods for Implantation of Same

Abstract

Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

1 . A method for delivering a prosthetic heart valve, comprising:
 providing a prosthetic heart valve comprising (i) a tubular support structure comprising a plurality of segments oriented along the periphery of the support structure, each segment having a side edge coupled with a side edge of an adjacent segment, and (ii) a plurality of valve leaflets coupled with the plurality of segments;   contracting the tubular support structure from an expanded state to a contracted state, wherein the contracting occurs without causing any substantial fold in any valve leaflet, and wherein the contracting occurs without sliding the side edge of any segment in relation to the side edge of the coupled adjacent segment.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, in the contracted state, exactly two valve leaflets are located against each other and between two adjacent segments. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, in the contracted state, each valve leaflet follows the surface of the support member. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each valve leaflet is coupled with only one segment. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein, in the contracted state, each valve leaflet follows the surface of the only one segment to which the leaflet is coupled. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, in the contracted state, each valve leaflet is curled. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, in the contracted state, each valve leaflet follows the curl of the support structure. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, in the contracted state, each valve leaflet is flat against the support structure. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein contracting comprises folding adjacent segments towards each other. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein contracting comprises curling adjacent segments. 
     
     
         11 . A method for delivering a prosthetic heart valve, comprising:
 providing a prosthetic heart valve comprising (i) a tubular support structure comprising a plurality of segments oriented along the periphery of the support structure, each segment having a side edge coupled with a side edge of an adjacent segment, and (ii) a plurality of valve leaflets coupled with the plurality of segments;   contracting the tubular support structure from an expanded state to a contracted state, wherein the contracting occurs without causing any fold in any valve leaflet, and wherein the contracting occurs without sliding the side edge of any segment in relation to the side edge of the coupled adjacent segment.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein, in the contracted state, exactly two valve leaflets are located against each other and between two adjacent segments. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein, in the contracted state, each valve leaflet follows the surface of the support member. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each valve leaflet is coupled with only one segment. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein, in the contracted state, each valve leaflet follows the surface of the only one segment to which the leaflet is coupled. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein, in the contracted state, each valve leaflet is curled. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein, in the contracted state, each valve leaflet follows the curl of the support structure. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein, in the contracted state, each valve leaflet is flat against the support structure. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein contracting comprises folding adjacent segments towards each other. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein contracting comprises curling adjacent segments.