Prosthetic valve support structure

Abstract

The present invention is directed to prostheses including a support structure having a proximal end and a distal end, and a motion limiting member attached to the distal end of the support structure, wherein the motion limiting member is configured to restrict radial expansion of the distal end of the support structure. Methods for delivering the prosthesis are also provided.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A prosthesis comprising:
 an inflow section;   an outflow section;   a collapsible and expandable support structure, the support structure including a plurality of posts proximate the outflow section and a proximal skirt extending from the plurality of posts towards the inflow section;   a valve coupled to the plurality of posts; and   a plurality of sealing members coupled to the proximal skirt, each of the plurality of sealing members longitudinally aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of posts.   
     
     
         32 . The prosthesis of  claim 31 , the plurality of sealing members being shaped to conform to inter-leaflet triangles of a patient's heart. 
     
     
         33 . The prosthesis of  claim 31 , wherein the plurality of leaflets are formed of a material that conforms to a shape of interleaflet triangles of a patient's heart. 
     
     
         34 . The prosthesis of  claim 31 , further comprising a plurality of support arms extending from the plurality of posts towards the inflow section, wherein the supports arms are disposed radially outward of the proximal skirt. 
     
     
         35 . The prosthesis of  claim 34 , wherein the plurality of support arms are configured to extend over tips of native leaflets of a patient's native valve. 
     
     
         36 . The prosthesis of  claim 35 , wherein the plurality of support arms comprises three support arms and the plurality of posts comprises three posts, wherein a first end of a first support arm of the three support arms is coupled to a first post of the three posts and a second end of the first support arm is coupled to a second post of the three posts, a first end of a second support art of the three support arms is coupled to the second post and a second end of the second support arm is coupled to a third post of the three posts, and a first end of the third support arm of the three support posts is coupled the second post and a second end of the third support arm is coupled to the first post. 
     
     
         37 . The prosthesis of  claim 31 , wherein the proximal skirt comprises a plurality of rows of cells. 
     
     
         38 . A prosthesis comprising:
 an inflow section;   an outflow section;   a collapsible and expandable support structure, the support structure including a plurality of posts proximate the outflow section and a proximal skirt extending from the plurality of posts towards the inflow section;   a valve coupled to the plurality of posts; and   a sealing member proximate the inflow section, wherein the sealing member extends around a circumference of the proximal skirt, wherein the sealing member includes a plurality of sealing tips that are longitudinally aligned with the plurality of posts and extend toward the outflow section of the prosthesis, wherein the sealing member is shaped and configured to conform to inter-leaflet triangles of a patient's heart.   
     
     
         39 . The prosthesis of  claim 38 , wherein the sealing tips are formed of a first material and a remainder of the sealing member is formed of a second material different than the first material. 
     
     
         40 . The prosthesis of  claim 39 , wherein the first material is softer than the second material. 
     
     
         41 . The prosthesis of  claim 38 , further comprising a plurality of support arms extending from the plurality of posts towards the inflow section, wherein the supports arms are disposed radially outward of the proximal skirt. 
     
     
         42 . The prosthesis of  claim 41 , wherein the plurality of support arms are configured to extend over tips of native leaflets of a patient's native valve. 
     
     
         43 . The prosthesis of  claim 42 , wherein the plurality of support arms comprises three support arms and the plurality of posts comprises three posts, wherein a first end of a first support arm of the three support arms is coupled to a first post of the three posts and a second end of the first support arm is coupled to a second post of the three posts, a first end of a second support art of the three support arms is coupled to the second post and a second end of the second support arm is coupled to a third post of the three posts, and a first end of the third support arm of the three support posts is coupled the second post and a second end of the third support arm is coupled to the first post. 
     
     
         44 . The prosthesis of  claim 38 , wherein the proximal skirt comprises a plurality of rows of cells.