Percutaneous heart valve with inflatable support

Abstract

An implantable prosthetic valve for a human heart is disclosed. The prosthetic valve has an inflatable tubular annular support structure and at least one moveable occluder that controls the flow of blood through the support structure. The support structure has a flow control valve configured for coupling to an inflation lumen for inflating the support structure with an inflation media. The flow control valve seals after decoupling from the inflation lumen and prevents the inflation media from escaping.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . An implantable prosthetic valve comprising:
 an inflatable support structure comprising a plurality of inflatable annular rings,
 wherein a first annular ring of the plurality of inflatable annular rings is located at a proximal end of the inflatable support structure, and 
 wherein a second annular ring of the plurality of inflatable annular rings is located at a distal end of the inflatable support structure; 
   an occluder attached to the inflatable support structure, wherein the plurality of inflatable annular rings are configured to provide commissural support to the occluder;   a tubular cuff around the occluder;   at least one inflatable chamber provided in between the proximal and distal ends of the inflatable support structure, wherein the at least one inflatable chamber forms a zig-zag configuration around the circumference of the inflatable support structure and is configured to provide intermediate support to the implantable prosthetic valve; and   a one way valve on the inflatable support structure, wherein the one way valve is configured for coupling to an inflation lumen for inflating the support structure with an inflation media and for sealing off the inflatable support structure after decoupling from the inflation lumen.   
     
     
         10 . The prosthetic valve of  claim 9 , wherein the one way valve is a ball valve, a duck bill valve, a pinch valve, or a flap valve. 
     
     
         11 . The prosthetic valve of  claim 10 , wherein the one way valve is a ball valve. 
     
     
         12 . The prosthetic valve of  claim 10 , wherein the ball valve comprises a spring actuated check ball, and the ball valve is configured to be unsealed by displacing the check ball. 
     
     
         13 . The prosthetic valve of  claim 9 , wherein the occluder is a tissue valve, a mechanical valve, a single leaflet valve, or a bileaflet valve. 
     
     
         14 . The prosthetic valve of  claim 9 , wherein the inflatable support structure secures a tissue valve within the inflatable support structure. 
     
     
         15 . The prosthetic valve of  claim 9 , wherein the inflatable support structure secures a synthetic leaflet valve within the inflatable support structure.