Patent ID: 9095434
Filing Date: 2015-08-04
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of implanting a replacement prosthetic heart valve within a defective previously implanted prosthetic heart valve that comprises leaflets configured to articulate between a functionally closed position and a functionally open position, the method comprising: advancing an adapter stent and a replacement prosthetic heart valve through a port between ribs of a patient's thorax and through an apex of a left ventricle; positioning the adapter stent within the defective previously implanted prosthetic heart valve, the previously implanted prosthetic heart valve having been implanted in an aortic annulus via open heart surgery, the adapter stent comprising an expandable tubular frame having an outer surface for contacting an interior region of the previously implanted prosthetic heart valve, the adapter stent further comprising a flexible annular sealing member disposed along an inner surface of the tubular frame; radially expanding the adapter stent to cause the outer surface of the expandable tubular frame to become anchored within and to the interior region of the previously implanted prosthetic heart valve such that the adapter stent extends over an entire inner surface area of the previously implanted prosthetic heart valve; after radially expanding the adapter stent within the previously implanted prosthetic heart valve, positioning the replacement prosthetic heart valve within the expanded adapter stent, the replacement prosthetic heart valve comprising a collapsible and expandable annular frame and a collapsible and expandable valve member mounted within the annular frame, the valve member comprising a tricuspid valve configuration formed with pericardial tissue and configured for allowing blood flow in only one direction when in an expanded condition; and radially expanding the replacement prosthetic heart valve within the adapter stent and the previously implanted prosthetic heart valve such that the replacement prosthetic heart valve extends beyond an inflow end of the adapter stent and extends beyond an outflow end of the adapter stent, and such that the adapter stent provides a stable platform for anchoring the replacement prosthetic heart valve by increasing frictional forces on the replacement prosthetic heart valve and the previously implanted prosthetic heart valve, and wherein, when the adapter stent and the replacement prosthetic heart valve are radially expanded within the previously implanted prosthetic heart valve, the flexible annular sealing member provides a seal between the previously implanted prosthetic heart valve and the replacement prosthetic heart valve, and wherein the flexible annular sealing member comprises an elastomeric material such that an outer surface of the replacement prosthetic heart valve conforms to an inner surface portion of the adapter stent.