Methods and Apparatus for Endovascularly Replacing a Patient's Heart Valve

Abstract

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 prosthesis comprising:
 an anchor, the anchor defining a lumen, the anchor comprising a first end and a second end, the anchor being a braid comprising at least one wire, the at least one wire forming a plurality of end turns at at least one of the ends of the anchor, each end turn having a configuration, the configuration being selected from the group consisting of elongated, W-shaped, looped,  FIG. 8 , heart shaped, double loop, hooked, and combinations thereof;   a valve, the valve positioned within the lumen of the anchor;   at least one valve support, a portion of each of the at least one valve support being engaged to an inner surface of the anchor, the valve being engaged to the at least one valve support.   
     
     
         2 . The prosthesis of  claim 1 , some of the end turns having an elongated, hooked configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The prosthesis of  claim 2 , the braided anchor having a deployed configuration, wherein the end turns having an elongated hooked configuration interlock with a portion of the braid thereby maintaining the anchor in the deployed configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The prosthesis of  claim 3 , the portion of the braid being an end of the braid, wherein the end turns having an elongated hooked configuration interlock with the other end of the anchor. 
     
     
         5 . The prosthesis of  claim 3 , the end turns interlocking with a portion of the braid between the first and second ends of the anchor. 
     
     
         6 . The prosthesis of  claim 3 , the anchor further comprising an outer surface, the anchor having a collapsed configuration, the end turns having the elongated, hooked configuration being positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the anchor. 
     
     
         7 . The prosthesis of  claim 2 , others of the end turns having an elongated configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The prosthesis of  claim 7 , the anchor having a deployed configuration, wherein an end turn having an elongated hooked configuration positioned at one end of the anchor is interlocked with an end turn having an elongated configuration positioned at the other end of the anchor. 
     
     
         9 . The prosthesis of  claim 8 , the anchor further comprising an outer surface, the anchor having a collapsed configuration, the end turns having the elongated, hooked configuration being positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the anchor and the end turns having the elongated configuration being positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the anchor. 
     
     
         10 . The prosthesis of  claim 1 , the at least one wire having a first cross-sectional area, each end turn formed by the at least one wire having a second cross-sectional area, wherein the first cross-sectional area is greater than the second cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         11 . The prosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of end turns cant inwards. 
     
     
         12 . The prosthesis of  claim 11 , wherein others of the plurality of end turns cant outwards. 
     
     
         13 . The prosthesis of  claim 1 , the at least one wire being a single wire. 
     
     
         14 . The prosthesis of  claim 1 , the at least one wire being a plurality of wires. 
     
     
         15 . The prosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein the end turns are overlapping. 
     
     
         16 . A prosthesis comprising:
 an anchor, the anchor defining a lumen, the anchor comprising a first end and a second end, the anchor being a braid comprising at least one wire, the at least one wire forming a plurality of end turns at each of the ends of the anchor, the at least one wire having a first cross-sectional area and a second cross-sectional area, the first cross-sectional area being greater than the second cross-sectional area, each end turn having the second cross-sectional area;   a valve, the valve positioned within the lumen of the anchor;   at least one valve support, a portion of each of the at least one valve support being engaged to an inner surface of the anchor, the valve being engaged to the at least one valve support.   
     
     
         17 . The prosthesis of  claim 16 , each end turn having a configuration selected from the group consisting of standard, elongated, W-shaped, looped,  FIG. 8 , heart shaped, double loop, hooked, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The prosthesis of  claim 16 , wherein at least some of the end turns cant inwards.