Patent ID: 8460366
Filing Date: 2013-06-11
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A system for treating aortic insufficiency, comprising: a delivery catheter comprising an elongate body and a balloon disposed along a distal end portion of the elongate body; a self-expandable support structure configured to be radially compressible into a compressed state for advancement through a patient's body via the delivery catheter, the support structure having a preset diameter to which the support structure recoils following expansion to an over-expanded diameter larger than the preset diameter; a flexible valve member secured within an interior of the support structure; and a plurality of grabbing mechanisms disposed along an outer surface of the support structure, the grabbing mechanisms configured to penetrate native tissue of an aortic valve for reducing a diameter of the aortic valve by pulling the native tissue of the aortic valve inwards when the support structure recoils from the over-expanded diameter to the preset diameter without dislodging from their engaged positions.