Stentless Support Structure

Abstract

A stentless support structure capable of being at least partly assembled in situ. The support structure comprises a braided tube that is very flexible and, when elongated, becomes very long and very small in diameter, thereby being capable of placement within a small diameter catheter. The support structure is preferably constructed of one or more thin strands of a super-elastic or shape memory material such as Nitinol. When released from the catheter, the support structure folds itself into a longitudinally compact configuration. The support structure thus gains significant strength as the number of folds increase. This radial strength obviates the need for a support stent. The support structure may include attachment points for a prosthetic valve.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of delivering a prosthetic heart valve to a target site comprising:
 reducing a profile of said prosthetic heart valve by placing said prosthetic heart valve in a delivery catheter in an elongated, unfolded configuration;   navigating a distal end of said delivery catheter to said target site;   advancing a first section out of said distal end of said delivery catheter thereby allowing said first section to expand to a diameter greater than said delivery catheter;   advancing a second section out of said distal end of said delivery catheter and into said first section, thereby increasing a radial strength of said prosthetic heart valve while reducing an overall length of said prosthetic heart valve;   withdrawing said delivery catheter.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said first and second sections are separated by a preformed fold. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said first section has a distal end that flares outwardly to assist in anchoring and confirming location to a physician delivering said prosthetic heart valve. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein second section has a wire form with valve leaflets attached to a proximal end thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein navigating a distal end of said delivery catheter to said target site comprises navigating said distal end of said delivery catheter to diseased native valve without excising tissue.