Patent ID: 9636223
Date: 2017-05-02
CPC Classifications: A61F

Claim:
1. A beating heart method of delivering a coaptation member to a position within native tricuspid heart valve leaflets to reduce regurgitation therethrough, comprising: advancing a ventricular anchor on a distal end of a flexible rail from above the native tricuspid annulus into the right ventricle; anchoring the ventricular anchor within the right ventricle; advancing a coaptation member on a distal end of a delivery catheter over the flexible rail until the coaptation member is positioned within the native tricuspid heart valve leaflets, wherein the coaptation member comprises a plurality of elongated members in contact with one another along their lengths and held together at opposite ends, the elongated members being capable of repositioning with respect to one another from external forces; adjusting the position of the coaptation member within the tricuspid annulus under visualization to reduce regurgitation through the tricuspid valve; locking the position of the delivery catheter relative to the flexible rail by clamping a locking collet carried by the catheter onto the flexible rail; and subcutaneously securing the locking collet immediately outside the subclavian vein.