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An apparatus for percutaneously replacing a diseased cardiac valve includes an expandable support member for positioning in an atrial chamber. The expandable support member includes at least one anchoring portion for anchoring in at least one opening that extends from the atrial chamber and a main b

An apparatus for percutaneously replacing a diseased cardiac valve includes an expandable support member for positioning in an atrial chamber. The expandable support member includes at least one anchoring portion for anchoring in at least one opening that extends from the atrial chamber and a main body portion located adjacent the at least one anchoring portion. The main body portion has a cage-like structure and is adapted to conform to a size and shape of the atrial chamber. An expandable ring is selectively connected to the main body portion. The expandable ring is adapted to engage an annulus of the diseased cardiac valve. A prosthetic valve is attached to the expandable ring. The prosthetic valve is adapted to replace the diseased cardiac valve. A method for percutaneously replacing a diseased cardiac valve is also described.

대표청구항 ▼

Having described the invention, we claim: 1. An apparatus for percutaneously replacing a diseased cardiac valve, the apparatus being movable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, the apparatus comprising: an expandable support member for positioning in an atrial chamber,

Having described the invention, we claim: 1. An apparatus for percutaneously replacing a diseased cardiac valve, the apparatus being movable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, the apparatus comprising: an expandable support member for positioning in an atrial chamber, the expandable support member including a main body portion having a non-tubular cage-like structure configured to line the atrial chamber in the expanded configuration, and one of a first opening which in the expanded configuration is located substantially adjacent the annulus of the diseased cardiac valve; at least one anchoring having a tubular configuration extending from the main body portion and being adapted to conform to the shape of a second opening that extends from the atrial chamber, where the junction formed by the main body portion and the at least one anchoring portion defines a third opening, which is smaller than the first opening; a ring member adapted to engage the first opening of the main body portion; an expandable ring operatively secured to the ring member; and a prosthetic valve attached to the expandable ring, the prosthetic valve being adapted to replace the diseased cardiac valve. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the apparatus is formed from a biodegradable material. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the apparatus is adapted to elute a therapeutic agent. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the prosthetic valve is attachable to the annulus of the diseased cardiac valve. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the expandable ring includes a plurality of barbs at least partially encased in a biodegradable material. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one anchoring portion is the second anchoring portion for anchoring in a first opening that extends from the atrial chamber, and an oppositely disposed second anchoring portion is provided for anchoring in a fourth opening that extends from the atrial chamber, the main body portion being intermediate the first and second anchoring portions. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the expandable ring is adapted to support the prosthetic valve in the annulus of the diseased cardiac valve when the main body portion is detached from the expandable ring. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the main body portion includes a plurality of strut members having a three-dimensional cage-like structure. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one anchoring portion has a cage-like structure, the cage-like structure of the at least one anchoring portion having a different configuration from the cage-like structure of the main body portion. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a biodegradable material extends between the expandable ring and the ring member, the biodegradable material being adapted to release the expandable ring from the ring member after a predetermined time has elapsed. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ring member is located between the main body portion and the first opening. 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the prosthetic valve extends below the first opening, opposite the main body portion. 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ring member and the expandable ring are axially aligned with respect to the first opening. 14. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a plurality of strands that are attached to and extend from the expandable ring. 15. An apparatus for percutaneously replacing a diseased mitral valve, the apparatus being movable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, the apparatus comprising: an expandable support member for positioning in the left atrial chamber, the expandable support member including at least one anchoring portion for anchoring in a pulmonary vein, a second anchoring portion for anchoring across the interatrial septum, and a main body portion located intermediate the at least one anchoring portion and the second anchoring portion, each of the at least one anchoring portion and the second anchoring portion extending from the main body portion, the main body portion having a cage-like structure and being adapted to conform to a size and shape of the left atrial chamber; a ring member connected to the main body portion; an expandable ring operatively secured to the ring member; and a prosthetic valve attached to the expandable ring, the prosthetic valve being adapted to replace the diseased mitral valve; wherein the junction formed by the main body portion and the at least one anchoring portion defines a first opening; wherein the main body portion includes only one of a second opening defined by the ring member, the second opening having a diameter greater than the diameter of the first opening and being located substantially adjacent the annulus of the diseased mitral valve when the apparatus is in the expanded configuration; wherein the second anchoring portion comprises a first section and a second section, the first section having a hollow, tubular shape and being intermediate the main body portion and the second section, the second section having a bulbous shape and extending from the first section. 16. An apparatus for percutaneously replacing a diseased tricuspid valve, the apparatus being movable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, the apparatus comprising: an expandable support member for positioning in the right atrium, the expandable support member including a main body portion having a non-tubular cage-like structure configured to line the right atrium in the expanded configuration, and only one of a first opening which in the expanded configuration is located substantially adjacent the annulus of the diseased tricuspid valve; a first anchoring portion oppositely disposed from a second anchoring portion, each of the first and second anchoring portions having a tubular configuration and extending from the main body portion and being adapted to conform to the shape of the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava, respectively, where the junctions formed by the main body portion and the first and second anchoring portions respectively define second and third openings which are smaller than the first opening; a ring member adapted to engage the first opening of the main body portion; an expandable ring operatively secured to the ring member; and a prosthetic valve attached to the expandable ring, the prosthetic valve being adapted to replace the diseased tricuspid valve.