Patent attributes
A system for percutaneous delivery of a stented prosthetic heart valve. The system includes a delivery device with a self-expanding prosthetic heart valve attached thereto and a delivery sheath with an opening on a distal end thereof. The delivery sheath includes a funnel on a proximal end thereof. The delivery device is inserted into the funnel of the delivery sheath. As the delivery device is advanced into the funnel, the expanded heart valve is compressed by the shape of the funnel into a crimped arrangement. The delivery device further advances the heart valve distally within the delivery sheath past the delivery sheath opening. The delivery device is advanced relative to the delivery sheath in transitioning the heart valve from a crimped arrangement to the expanded and deployed arrangement.
