Patent ID: 7815676

Claim:
An apparatus for endovascular removal of a cardiac valve having at least two valve cusps, the apparatus being insertible through a blood vessel to access the cardiac valve, the apparatus comprising: a first catheter assembly for insertion into a blood vessel, the first catheter assembly having a longitudinal axis and a distal end; deployable cutting means for cutting at least one valve cusp of the cardiac valve, the cutting means being attached to the distal end of the first catheter assembly; and a deployable filter assembly disposed adjacent the distal end of the first catheter assembly and including at least two filter baskets, the filter assembly being operable to collect the severed valve cusps and being collapsible for removal from the blood vessel with the at least two severed valve cusps retained therein, at least two strut members, each of the at least two strut members having a first end connected with the first catheter assembly adjacent the distal end, each of the at least two strut members further having a second end comprising a cusp hook, the at least two strut members being operable to grasp and close the at least two valve cusps of a cardiac valve therebetween so that the cutting means can sever the valve cusps.