Patent ID: 8496655

Claim:
A system for resecting a valve in a patient, comprising: a proximal ring comprising a first plurality of nesting and interconnectable frame segments and a distal ring comprising a second plurality of nesting and interconnectable frame segments that is opposite the proximal ring; wherein the proximal and distal rings are separated by an adjustable distance and positionable on opposite sides of the valve; an electrode on the proximal ring and a second electrode on the distal ring configured to supply bipolar electrocautery current between the proximal ring and the distal ring that electrosurgically resects valve tissue; a proximal chamber coupled to the proximal ring and a distal chamber coupled to the distal ring, wherein each of the proximal and distal chambers allows passage of fluid and captures at least a portion of the resected valve tissue, wherein each of the proximal and distal chambers selectively operates in one of the following modes: a radially collapsed mode, wherein the plurality of frame segments are nested; and a radially expanded mode, wherein the plurality of frame segments are expanded relative to each other and interconnect to form a generally circular shape, wherein the proximal chamber and the distal chamber are configured to be collapsed with the proximal and distal rings together enclosing the resected valve tissue; and a drive system that adjusts the distance between the proximal and distal rings.