Heart valve delivery system with valve catheter

Abstract

A heart valve delivery system is provided wherein a prosthetic valve is carried on a valve catheter inside a tubular delivery sleeve. The valve catheter has a distal end coupled to a mop. The mop comprises a plurality of flexible extensions configured for releasable attachment to the prosthetic valve. A lead screw nut is coupled to a proximal end of the tubular delivery sleeve and a lead screw is coupled to the valve catheter. The lead screw engages the lead screw nut and rotation of the lead screw causes the delivery sleeve to retract relative to the valve catheter and the prosthetic valve for exposing the prosthetic valve. The flexible extensions of the mop allow expansion of the valve while maintaining the attachment during placement of the valve at a native valve site.

1 . A device for treating a human heart, comprising:
 an expandable prosthetic valve;   a tubular delivery sleeve having a proximal end;   a lead screw nut coupled to the proximal end of the tubular delivery sleeve;   a valve catheter having a distal end coupled to a mop comprising a plurality of flexible extensions configured for releasable attachment to the prosthetic valve, wherein the valve catheter and the prosthetic valve are slidably advanceable through the delivery sleeve; and   a lead screw coupled to the valve catheter;   wherein the lead screw engages the lead screw nut and wherein rotation of the lead screw causes the delivery sleeve to retract relative to the valve catheter and the prosthetic valve for exposing the prosthetic valve and extensions and allowing expansion of the valve and the flexible extensions of the mop allow expansion of the valve while maintaining the attachment with the valve during adjustment of the valve at a native valve site.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an inflatable balloon disposed within the prosthetic valve for facilitating expansion of the prosthetic valve within the native valve. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the inflatable balloon has a tapered distal end portion configured to extend from the tubular delivery sleeve for providing a dilator. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular delivery sleeve is coated with a hydrophilic coating. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a distal plate assembly is coupled to a proximal hub on the proximal end of the delivery sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a proximal plate assembly is coupled to the valve catheter. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the lead screw passes through the distal plate assembly and proximal plate assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the distal plate assembly includes a main portion and an upper portion that together define a first opening in the distal plate assembly securing the proximal hub to the distal plate assembly, and the lead screw nut. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the lead screw nut is secured to the main portion of the distal plate assembly, and a proximal end of the lead screw nut is placed against a distal face of the main portion. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the proximal plate assembly includes a main portion and a cap portion that together define a central opening of the proximal plate assembly securing the valve catheter to the proximal plate assembly, and a handle extending from the main portion. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the mop comprises a shape memory material or nitinol. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more sutures releasably attaching the prosthetic valve to the mop. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein each extension of the mop comprises a first opening and a second opening disposed near a distal end thereof, through which the one or more sutures pass. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the extensions have varying lengths configured for engaging different portions of the prosthetic valve.