Patent ID: 9622863
Date: 2017-04-18
CPC Classifications: A61F

Claim:
1. A method of treating valvular insufficiency, comprising: inserting a delivery catheter into the vasculature of a heart proximate a heart valve, the delivery catheter carrying a support frame in a radially collapsed state, the support frame including a plurality of angled struts and having an inflow end and an outflow end; positioning the delivery catheter such that one or more leaflet-engaging mechanisms of the support frame are aligned with commissures of the heart valve, each of the one or more leaflet-engaging mechanisms including a pair of clipping arms located between respective struts defining an apex, the clipping arms comprising respective fixed end portions and free end portions, the free end portions being offset from the apex in a direction toward the inflow end of the support frame, the clipping arms defining a leaflet-receiving space between two opposing surfaces of the clipping arms, wherein the leaflet-receiving space is adjustable; at least partially deploying the support frame from the delivery catheter to allow the support frame to radially expand to at least a partially deployed state; and engaging a respective pair of native valve leaflets at one or more of the commissures of the heart valve with the clipping arms by locating the support frame such that a respective pair of native valve leaflets is between each pair of clipping arms.