Delivery Systems And Methods Of Implantation For Prosthetic Heart Valves

Abstract

A method of deploying an implantable stented device in an anatomical location of a patient, including the steps of providing a delivery system with first and second stent engagement structures at its distal end, attaching a first structural element of the stented device to the first stent engagement structure and attaching a second structural element of the stented device to the second silent engagement structure, advancing the stented device to an implantation site, and sequentially disengaging the first structural element of the stented device from the first stent engagement structure of the delivery system and then disengaging the second structural element of the stented device from the second stent engagement structure.

1 .- 21 . (canceled). 
     
     
         22 . A delivery system for a prosthetic valve, the delivery system comprising:
 an outer sheath configured to restrain the prosthetic valve in a radially compressed configuration for delivery through a patient's vasculature and enable self-expansion of the prosthetic valve upon retraction of the outer sheath from constraining the prosthetic valve; and   attachment elements configured to couple the delivery system to the prosthetic valve,   wherein the attachment elements enable at least partial diametric expansion of the prosthetic valve upon retraction of the outer sheath and subsequent recapture prior to release of the prosthetic valve from the delivery system.   
     
     
         23 . The delivery system of  claim 22 , wherein the attachment elements enable full diametric expansion of the prosthetic valve and subsequent recapture prior to release of the prosthetic valve from the delivery system. 
     
     
         24 . The delivery system of  claim 22 , wherein the attachment elements comprise wires configured for attachment to and release from the prosthetic valve. 
     
     
         25 . The delivery system of  claim 24 , wherein the wires extend distally beyond a distal end of the outer sheath with the outer sheath retracted to enable expansion of the prosthetic valve. 
     
     
         26 . The delivery system of  claim 25 , wherein each of the wires comprises a coil for attaching the wire to the prosthetic valve. 
     
     
         27 . The delivery system of  claim 26 , further comprising tubes, wherein each tube surrounds one of the wires such that retraction of each wire causes the coil to contact the tube to unfurl the coil to detach the coil from the prosthetic valve. 
     
     
         28 . A method of delivering and deploying a self-expanding prosthetic valve to a native heart valve comprising:
 radially compressing the prosthetic valve within an outer sheath of a delivery system;   advancing the delivery system to the native heart valve;   retracting the outer sheath such that the prosthetic valve is fully released from the outer sheath, at least partially diametrically expanded, and coupled to the delivery system;   assessing the prosthetic valve while the prosthetic heart valve is fully released from the outer sheath, at least partially expanded, and coupled to the delivery system; and   releasing the prosthetic valve from the delivery system.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 after assessing the prosthetic valve, recapturing the prosthetic valve within the outer sheath.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein retracting the outer sheath enables full diametric expansion of the prosthetic valve while the prosthetic valve is coupled to the delivery system. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein assessing the prosthetic valve comprises assessing hemodynamic performance of the prosthetic valve. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein assessing the prosthetic valve comprises assessing stability of the prosthetic valve. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein assessing the prosthetic valve comprises assessing effects of the prosthetic valve on anatomical structures adjacent the native heart valve. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein assessing the effects of the prosthetic valve on anatomical structures adjacent the native heart valve comprises assessing the effects of the prosthetic valve on coronary arteries. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein assessing the effects of the prosthetic valve on anatomical structures adjacent the native heart valve comprises assessing the effects of the prosthetic valve on the bundle branch. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the native heart valve is the aortic valve, and wherein assessing the effects of the prosthetic valve on anatomical structures adjacent the native heart valve comprises assessing the effects of the prosthetic valve on the native mitral valve.