Patent ID: 9192471
Filing Date: 2015-11-24
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: causing a catheter to traverse a body lumen to place a delivery tool with a valve support attached to the delivery tool at an annulus of a heart valve, the valve support having a plurality of barbs or hooks attached thereto, and the delivery tool comprising a tapered outer surface having interconnected struts defining apertures; pushing the delivery tool distally through the annulus from one heart chamber to another heart chamber causing the delivery tool to radially dilate the annulus to a configuration determined by the delivery tool; while the annulus is dilated, attaching the hooks or barbs into tissue at locations along the annulus; after the support is attached into the tissue, moving a tip of the delivery tool proximally to rotate the barbs or hooks about the support to embed the barbs or hooks more securely into the tissue; and causing the valve support to contract to a smaller diameter.