Patent ID: 8470024

Claim:
An improved device for delivering an expandable cardiac valve prosthesis to a desired position in a vessel, the device comprising: a deployment instrument including a deployment element adapted to constrain the expandable cardiac valve prosthesis in a radially contracted position for delivery to and deployment at the desired position in the vessel; a wire or wire-like element adapted to facilitate advancement of the deployment instrument, the wire or wire-like element including an abutment element that is connected to the wire element and configured to limit advancement of the deployment instrument at a desired location along the wire or wire-like element; and an expandable element coupled to the wire element, the expandable element having a cage-shaped expanded configuration that permits blood flow at all times through the vessel, the expandable element operable to axially secure the wire element along a central longitudinal axis of the vessel and with respect to the desired position of the expandable cardiac valve prosthesis in the vessel; wherein the abutment element includes a collar sized and dimensioned to prohibit axial movement of the deployment instrument and permit the flow of blood at all times past the abutment element, the abutment element positioned proximal to the expandable element such that the deployment instrument is maintained at a location along the wire element proximal to the expandable element, and the abutment element positioned at all times distal to the deployment instrument and configured to limit advancement of the deployment instrument such that during use the abutment element operates to axially align the deployment instrument with the desired position in the vessel.