Profile reduction of valve implant

Abstract

A method for reducing an axial profile of a valve implant includes providing a valve implant having a longitudinal axis and a delivery catheter having a central axis and a distal receiving section. The method further includes helically rolling the valve implant around a rolling axis that is offset at an angle of about 15 degrees to about 60 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis to form a rolled valve implant having a rolled axis, where the rolled axis is the same as the rolling axis. The method further includes aligning the rolled axis of the rolled valve implant with the central axis of the delivery catheter. The method further includes inserting the rolled valve implant into the distal receiving section of the delivery catheter.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A system for reducing an axial profile of a valve implant, the system comprising:
 the valve implant having a longitudinal axis, the valve implant comprising:
 an inflatable body comprising at least one inflation channel that forms, at least in part, an inflatable structure, and 
 a tissue valve coupled to the inflatable cuff; 
   a delivery catheter having a central axis, a distal axis, and a distal receiving section, the delivery catheter comprising at least one inflation tube extending through the delivery catheter;   wherein the valve implant is attached to the at least one inflation tube extending through the delivery catheter;   wherein the valve implant is rolled about a rolling axis that is offset at an angle of about 15 degrees to about 60 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis; and   wherein the valve implant is inserted into the distal receiving section of the delivery catheter such that the rolling axis is aligned with the central axis of the delivery catheter.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one inflation channel forms, at least in part, a distal inflatable toroidal structure and a proximal inflatable toroidal structure. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the valve implant further comprises an inflation valve in communication with the at least one inflation channel. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the inflation valve is located on the proximal portion of the rolled valve implant. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the inflation valve is coupled to the at least one inflation tube. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the tissue valve is positioned generally between the distal inflatable toroidal structure and the proximal inflatable toroidal structure. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the valve implant further comprises a first inflation valve in communication with the distal inflatable toroidal structure and a second inflation valve in communication with the proximal inflatable toroidal structure, and the distal inflatable toroidal structure is not in fluid communication with the proximal inflatable toroidal structure. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first and the second inflation valves are located on the proximal portion of the valve implant. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one inflation tube comprises a first inflation tube and a second inflation tube. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the first and the second inflation valves are coupled to the first and the second inflation tubes. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the valve implant further comprises an inflatable intermediate support in between the distal and proximal inflatable toroidal structures, the inflatable intermediate support disposed around the circumference of the cuff. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the inflatable intermediate support comprises a plurality of axially extending ribs.