Patent ID: 8403982

Claim:
A device for deploying a cardiac valve prosthesis, including a first expandable portion and a second expandable portion, at an implantation site, the device comprising: a first constraint member for radially constraining the first expandable portion, the first constraint member comprising an outer telescoping sleeve including a proximal portion having an outer threaded surface; a second constraint member for radially constraining the second expandable portion, the second constraint member comprising an inner telescoping sleeve having a distal end disposed within the first constraint member and a proximal end terminating in an annular member; a rotary actuation member coupled to the first constraint and having a thread formation for cooperating with the outer threaded surface of the first constraint member adapted for retracting the first constraint member, such that the first expandable portion is deployed; a slidable actuation member coupled to the second constraint member and coupled to the first constraint member for retracting both the first and second constraint members, such that the second expandable portion is deployed; and a stop member that is removable or disengageable, wherein the annular member of the inner telescoping sleeve is adapted to abut against the stop member when the stop member is in place and to prevent the inner telescoping sleeve from being retracted; wherein the rotary and the slidable actuation members are independently adjustable, such that the first and second expandable portions may be independently deployed,. and wherein the first and second constraint members having associated a first slow-acting actuating mechanism and a second, fast-acting actuating mechanism, respectively, to produce relatively slow and fast release of the first and second expandable portions of the prosthesis constrained thereby.