Patent ID: 9132008
Filing Date: 2015-09-15
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A method for percutaneously deploying a stented prosthetic heart valve to an implantation site of a patient, the method comprising: receiving a delivery device loaded with a radially expandable prosthetic heart valve having a stent frame to which a valve structure is attached, the delivery device including a delivery sheath, an inner shaft assembly, and a release assembly, the delivery sheath and the release assembly containing the prosthetic heart valve in a compressed arrangement over the inner shaft assembly in a delivery state of the delivery device, and the release assembly including: a base coupled to the inner shaft assembly, a retraction member extending distal the base and forced to an extended condition, a release member distal the retraction member and forced to a compressed arrangement in which the release member engages the inner shaft assembly, a retention member distal the release member and disposed over a portion of the prosthetic heart valve; delivering the prosthetic heart valve in the compressed arrangement through a bodily lumen of the patient and to the implantation site via the delivery device in the delivery state; proximally retracting the delivery sheath from the prosthetic heart valve and the release member; and permitting the prosthetic heart valve to release from the delivery device including the release member self-transitioning to a normal, expanded condition and the retention member self-retracting to a normal, retracted condition to proximally withdraw the retention member from over the prosthetic heart valve.