Patent ID: 7393360
Filing Date: 2008-07-01
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A method for deploying a valve device at the natural aortic valve position at the entrance to the left ventricle of a myocardium of a patient, comprising: radially collapsing a deployable implantable valve device having a collapsible and expandable support stent and a collapsible and expandable valve assembly, the support stent comprising a first portion configured to expand to a first diameter and a second portion configured to expand to a second diameter, the first diameter being smaller than the second diameter and wherein the valve assembly is sutured to the support stent; advancing the collapsed valve device through the patient's vasculature towards the natural aortic valve position via a catheterization technique; positioning the valve device such that the valve assembly is located substantially within an annulus of a natural aortic valve; and radially expanding the first and second portions such that the first portion engages leaflets of the natural aortic valve and the second portion engages an inner wall of an ascending aorta above the opening of the coronary arteries; wherein, after implantation, the valve assembly allows blood to flow in a first direction and prevents blood from flowing in a second direction and wherein the first and second portions of the support stent are configured to resist migration of the valve assembly; wherein, after implantation, the support stent has a third diameter positioned at the level of the coronary arteries, the third diameter being substantially less than an inner diameter of the ascending aorta such that a radial gap is provided between the support stent and the opening of the coronary arteries.