Heart and peripheral vascular valve replacement in conjunction with a support ring

Abstract

An implantable valve replacement system for a cardiovascular valve may include an adjustable stabilizing ring. The stabilizing ring may be composed of a body member that is transitionable from an elongate insertion geometry to an annular operable geometry. The stabilizing ring may further include a plurality of anchors deployable in the annular operable geometry to engage the annulus of the cardiovascular valve. The ring may be used in conjunction with an implantable valve frame. The valve frame may be located within the ring and the ring, in turn, may be stabilized through the anchors engaging the valve annulus. The valve replacement system may be applied by engaging the ring in its annular operable geometry with the valve annulus through the anchors. The valve frame may be inserted through the opening of the ring, thereby forming a stabilizing mechanical contact between the frame and the annulus.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An implantable valve system comprising:
 an adjustable stabilizing ring comprising:
 a body member having an elongate insertion geometry and an annular operable geometry, and 
 a plurality of anchors, housed within the body member in both the elongate insertion geometry and the annular operable geometry, wherein the plurality of anchors have a deployment configuration in the annular operable geometry to engage an annulus of a cardiovascular valve; and 
 an implantable valve frame comprising a plurality of valve leaflets, 
 wherein the implantable valve frame comprises at least one frame anchor configured to couple the implantable valve frame to the adjustable stabilizing ring in the annular operable geometry. 
   
     
     
         2 . The implantable valve system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable stabilizing ring, the implantable valve frame, or both are coated with a pliable material comprising a polymer. 
     
     
         3 . The implantable valve system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least implantable valve frame extends radially inward towards a central axis of the implantable valve frame. 
     
     
         4 . The implantable valve system of  claim 1 , wherein the implantable valve frame comprises a first support element, a second support element, and at least one bridging element extending from the first support element to the second support element. 
     
     
         5 . The implantable valve system of  claim 4 , wherein first support element extends radially inward at a first angle toward the at least one bridging element and the second support element extends radially inward at a second angle toward the at least one bridging element. 
     
     
         6 . The implantable valve system of  claim 5 , wherein the first angle is different than the second angle. 
     
     
         7 . The implantable valve system of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of leaflets are at least partially secured to the first support element, the second support element, the at least one bridging element, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The implantable valve system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one bridging element comprises a continuous surface having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is in physical contact with an entirety of the first support element and the second end is in physical contact with an entirety of the second support element. 
     
     
         9 . The implantable valve system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one bridging element comprises a collapsible material. 
     
     
         10 . The implantable valve system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one bridging element extends radially inwards towards a central axis of the implantable valve frame. 
     
     
         11 . The implantable valve system of  claim 4 , wherein at least a portion of an exterior surface of the at least one bridging element is in mechanical communication with the adjustable stabilizing ring. 
     
     
         12 . The implantable valve system of  claim 1 , wherein the implantable valve frame is at least partially collapsible. 
     
     
         13 . The implantable valve system of  claim 1 , wherein the implantable valve frame is configured to be delivered via a catheter in an at least partially collapsed state. 
     
     
         14 . The implantable valve system of  claim 13 , wherein the implantable valve frame is expandable from the at least partially collapsed state. 
     
     
         15 . The implantable valve system of  claim 1 , wherein the implantable valve frame comprises one or more of a memory metal, a nickel titanium alloy, a stainless steel alloy, and a cobalt-chrome alloy. 
     
     
         16 . The implantable valve system of  claim 1 , wherein the implantable valve frame comprise a substantially D-shape. 
     
     
         17 . The implantable valve system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one frame anchor is configured to partially encompass the adjustable stabilizing ring. 
     
     
         18 . The implantable valve system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one frame anchor comprises a C-shape. 
     
     
         19 . The implantable valve system of  claim 1 , wherein the annular operable geometry has a closed state to conform to the annulus of the cardiovascular valve. 
     
     
         20 . The implantable valve system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable stabilizing ring has at least one gap between the implantable valve frame and the adjustable stabilizing ring.