Patent ID: 8591567
Filing Date: 2013-11-26
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for radially expanding a prosthetic device in a conduit or orifice of a human body, the apparatus comprising: an expansion device having a main axis and an outer mounting surface for mounting the prosthetic device in a crimped state thereon, the expansion device comprising a balloon member and a plurality of rigid shape-forming members positioned on an outer surface of the balloon member and having a plurality of external surfaces that form at least a portion of the mounting surface, wherein the expansion device is configured to expand radially outwards from a first configuration to a second configuration upon inflation of the balloon member to, move the shape-forming members radially outwards from the first configuration to the second configuration and expand the prosthetic device to an expanded shape having a non-circular cross-sectional profile perpendicular to the main axis of the expansion device and a longitudinal profile that varies along its axial length with one end radially larger than the other end, and wherein when the expansion device is in the second configuration, the external surfaces of the shape-forming members collectively define an outer envelope having a non-circular cross-sectional profile perpendicular to the main axis of the expansion device and a longitudinal profile that varies along its axial length with one end radially larger than the other end, and wherein the external surfaces of the shape-forming members collectively generally conform to the trilobular shape of the aortic valve annulus when the expansion device is in the second configuration.