Patent ID: 11857414
Assignee: EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CARDIAQ LLC
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A  Y | IPC A

Claim 6:
7. An assembly for implanting a prosthetic heart valve, the assembly comprising:
a prosthetic heart valve comprising:
an annular frame having first and second end portions, a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second end portions, and a plurality of struts pivotably coupled together, wherein the frame is movable between a radially expanded configuration and a radially compressed configuration by pivoting the struts relative to each other;
a valve component coupled to the frame and having a plurality of leaflets, wherein the leaflets are configured to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein in the open configuration, the leaflets allow blood flow from the first end portion of the frame to the second end portion of the frame, and wherein in the closed configuration, the leaflets restrict blood flow from the second end portion of the frame to the first end portion of the frame;
an expansion mechanism coupled to the frame and comprising a first expansion element and a second expansion element, wherein the first expansion element is coupled to the frame at a first axial location, wherein the second expansion element is coupled to the frame at a second axial location spaced apart from the first axial location, and wherein a line extending from the first axial location to the second axial location is parallel to the longitudinal axis; and
a ratcheting mechanism configured to lock the frame at incremental diameters; and

a delivery apparatus comprising a wire and a catheter shaft, wherein the wire extends through the catheter shaft and is releasably coupled to the first expansion element of the prosthetic heart valve, wherein moving the wire in a first axial direction relative to the catheter shaft causes the first expansion element of the prosthetic heart valve to move in the first axial direction relative to the second expansion element of the prosthetic heart valve, which results in the frame of the prosthetic heart valve moving from the radially compressed configuration to the radially expanded configuration.