Low profile transcatheter heart valve

Abstract

An implantable prosthetic valve, according to one embodiment, comprises a frame, a leaflet structure, and a skirt member. The frame can have a plurality of axial struts interconnected by a plurality of circumferential struts. The leaflet structure comprises a plurality of leaflets (e.g., three leaflets arrange to form a tricuspid valve). The leaflet structure has a scalloped lower edge portion secured to the frame. The skirt member can be disposed between the leaflet structure and the frame.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 an implantable prosthetic valve having a radially collapsible and expandable annular frame and tissue leaflets mounted inside of the frame;   a crimping apparatus having a plurality of crimping jaws arranged to form an aperture sized to receive the implantable prosthetic valve and to radially collapse the implantable prosthetic valve from a first, expanded state to a second, radially collapsed state; and   a layer of deformable material configured to be positioned as an intermediate protective layer between the plurality of crimping jaws of the crimping apparatus and the frame of the implantable prosthetic valve.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a balloon catheter, wherein the implantable prosthetic valve is configured to be crimped onto the balloon catheter in the radially collapsed state by the crimping apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the layer of deformable material is configured to fully cover the frame of the implantable prosthetic valve. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the layer of deformable material comprises an annular sleeve configured to be placed around the implantable prosthetic valve in its expanded state. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the annular sleeve comprises a sponge material. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the annular sleeve comprises a foamed polymeric material. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the layer of deformable material comprises at least one deformable packet filled with a flowable and deformable material. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the layer of deformable material comprises a plurality of slices of the deformable material mounted on inner surfaces of the jaws. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a fabric configured to be positioned between the frame of the implantable prosthetic valve and the layer of deformable material. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a plurality of struts defining multiple openings in the frame, the layer of deformable material being configured to protrude into the openings in the frame as a result of the plurality of crimping jaws pressing the layer of deformable material against the frame. 
     
     
         11 . A method of crimping an implantable prosthetic valve comprising:
 positioning at least a portion of the implantable prosthetic valve within an annular deformable sleeve;   inserting the implantable prosthetic valve and the annular deformable sleeve into a crimping apparatus;   operating the crimping apparatus to crimp the implantable prosthetic valve; and   removing the implantable prosthetic valve from the crimping apparatus.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein operating the crimping apparatus to crimp the implantable prosthetic valve causes crimping jaws of the crimping apparatus to press the deformable sleeve against a frame of the prosthetic valve, thereby causing portions of the sleeve to protrude into openings in the frame. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising positioning a portion of a balloon catheter within the implantable prosthetic valve, and wherein the act of operating the crimping apparatus comprises crimping the prosthetic valve onto the balloon catheter. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein positioning the at least a portion of the implantable prosthetic valve within the annular deformable sleeve comprises positioning the entire implantable prosthetic valve within the annular deformable sleeve. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the implantable prosthetic valve comprises a frame and a plurality of leaflets; and   the annular deformable sleeve prevents the leaflets from protruding into open cells of the frame during the act of operating the crimping apparatus to crimp the implantable prosthetic valve.   
     
     
         16 . A system comprising:
 a crimping apparatus having a plurality of crimping jaws arranged to form an aperture;   a cylindrical tube of deformable material positioned within the aperture and in contact with the crimping jaws; and   an implantable prosthetic valve positioned within the cylindrical tube.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the cylindrical tube substantially encloses the implantable prosthetic valve. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the implantable prosthetic valve is in contact with the cylindrical tube. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a fabric disposed between the implantable prosthetic valve and the cylindrical tube. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a balloon catheter extending through the implantable prosthetic valve. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the tube comprises a polyurethane sponge.