System For Replacing Native Valve Function Of A Diseased Aortic Valve

Abstract

Methods for replacing native valve function of a diseased aortic valve are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method for replacing native valve function of a diseased aortic valve in a patient includes: (a) receiving an artificial heart valve assembly mounted about a first mounting position on a catheter system, (b) guiding the artificial heart valve assembly through the vasculature of the patient, (c) while the catheter system having the artificial heart valve assembly mounted thereto is in the patient's vasculature, mounting the artificial heart valve assembly about a second mounting position on the catheter system, (d) delivering the artificial heart valve assembly to the region of the diseased aortic valve, (e) expanding the artificial heart valve assembly in the region of the diseased aortic valve, and (f) withdrawing the catheter system from the patient's vasculature.

1 . An artificial heart valve delivery system, comprising:
 an artificial heart valve assembly; and   a catheter system comprising:
 a first mount configured to engage said artificial heart valve assembly at a first position of the catheter system; and 
 a second mount configured to engage said artificial heart valve assembly at a second position of the catheter system, said second mount configured to expand said artificial heart valve assembly when the artificial heart valve assembly is positioned within a patient's heart, 
   wherein said catheter system is configured to reposition said artificial heart valve assembly from said first mount to said second mount.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first mount is not coupled to said catheter system. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said artificial heart valve assembly is self-expandable. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said artificial heart valve assembly is balloon expandable. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said second mount is a balloon. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said catheter system is capable of being manipulated to reposition and expand said artificial heart valve assembly while the patient's heart is beating. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said artificial heart valve assembly is a stented artificial heart valve assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said artificial heart valve assembly comprises a biological valve. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first mount is configured to engage said artificial heart valve assembly via a press fitting or a friction fitting, and wherein said second mount is configured to engage said artificial heart valve assembly via a press fitting or a friction fitting. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first mount is engaged by said artificial heart valve assembly while said artificial heart valve assembly is advanced through a peripheral artery of the patient. 
     
     
         11 . A system for replacing native valve function of a diseased aortic valve in a patient, comprising:
 a catheter system comprising a first mounting position and a second mounting position; and   an artificial heart valve assembly coupled to said catheter system and configured to expand from a compressed state to an expanded state,   wherein said catheter system is configured to reposition said artificial heart valve assembly in the compressed state from said first mounting position to said second mounting position in response to a first manipulation of said catheter system, and   wherein said catheter system is configured to initiate expansion of said artificial heart valve assembly in response to a second manipulation of said catheter system.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said heart valve assembly has a first diameter at said first mounting position, and a second diameter at said second mounting position, and wherein said first diameter and said second diameter are substantially similar. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said artificial heart valve assembly is configured to couple to said second mounting position via a press fit or a friction fit. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said artificial heart valve assembly is self-expandable. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said second mounting position comprises a balloon. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said artificial heart valve assembly is balloon expandable. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said artificial heart valve assembly is configured to expand while the patient's heart is beating. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said artificial heart valve is a stented artificial heart valve assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said artificial heart valve assembly comprises a biological valve.