Percutaneous heart valve delivery systems

Abstract

Embodiments described herein address the need for improved catheter devices for delivery, repositioning and/or percutaneous retrieval of the percutaneously implanted heart valves. One embodiment employs a plurality of spring-loaded arms releasably engaged with a stent frame for controlling expansion for valve deployment. Another embodiment employs a plurality of filaments passing through a distal end of a pusher sleeve and apertures in a self-expandable stent frame to control its state of deployment. With additional features, lateral positioning of the stent frame may also be controlled. Yet another embodiment includes plurality of outwardly biased arms held to complimentary stent frame features by overlying sheath segments. Still another embodiment integrates a visualization system in the subject delivery system. Variations on hardware and methods associated with the use of these embodiments are contemplated in addition to those shown and described.

1 . An endovascular delivery system comprising:
 a stent delivery catheter, and   an imaging catheter,   wherein one of the stent delivery catheter or the imaging catheter is received within the other.   
     
     
         2 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the imaging catheter is received within the stent delivery catheter. 
     
     
         3 . The delivery system of  claim 2 , wherein the stent delivery catheter is adapted to deliver an implantable valve comprising a stent frame. 
     
     
         4 . The delivery system of  claim 3 , wherein the implantable valve and stent delivery catheter is adapted for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) applications. 
     
     
         5 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the imaging catheter is an ultrasound imaging catheter. 
     
     
         6 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the stent delivery catheter and an imaging probe of the imaging catheter are set at a fixed position relative to each other. 
     
     
         7 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the stent delivery catheter and an imaging probe of the imaging catheter are free to move relative to one another in the delivery system, wherein the relative position between the stent delivery catheter and the imaging probe is tracked.