Patent ID: 8236049
Filing Date: 2012-08-07
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method of treating a deficient native mitral valve, comprising: inserting an introducer sheath into a left ventricle through a wall of the left ventricle at a location exterior of a space defined by chordae tendineae therein; locating a distal tip of the introducer sheath adjacent to an outflow side of a native mitral valve; delivering a support band through the introducer sheath into the left ventricle adjacent the outflow side of the native mitral valve; positioning the support band to surround native leaflets of the native mitral valve, adjacent to an outflow side of the native mitral valve, the support band carried by a first catheter inserted into the left ventricle through the introducer sheath; delivering a prosthetic heart valve into an annulus of the native mitral valve, the prosthetic heart valve carried by a second catheter inserted into the left ventricle through the introducer sheath while the position of the support band is maintained by the first catheter, the prosthetic heart valve comprising a radially expandable stent and a valve structure mounted within the expandable stent, the valve structure formed with pericardial tissue, the prosthetic heart valve being separate from the support band; expanding the stent within the annulus of the native mitral valve and within the support band, thereby engaging the stent with an interior of the support band; and releasing the support band from the first catheter, wherein, after the stent is expanded, the native leaflets of the native mitral valve are frictionally secured between an outer wall of the stent and the support band and wherein the valve structure replaces the function of the native mitral valve.