Methods and Devices for Delivery of Prosthetic Heart Valves and Other Prosthetics

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. The preferred delivery device includes a catheter having a deployment mechanism attached to its distal end, and a handle mechanism attached to its proximal end. A plurality of tethers are provided to selectively restrain the valve during deployment. A number of mechanisms for active deployment of partially expanded prosthetic valves are also described.

1 . Apparatus for delivering a prosthetic device to a treatment location within a patient by way of the patient's vasculature, comprising:
 a catheter having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of said catheter being adapted to carry a prosthetic device, said prosthetic device having a longitudinal axis, a fully contracted state for delivery to a treatment location, and an expanded state for deployment at the treatment location,   a guidewire extending through a lumen formed in at least a portion of said catheter, and   one or more tethers selectively attached to said guidewire, said one or more tethers adapted to selectively restrain said prosthetic device.