US Patent 8414645 Transcatheter valve delivery systems and methods

Delivery devices and methods for percutaneously delivering a prosthetic valve to the heart of a patient. These prosthetic valves may be configured to provide complimentary features that promote optimal placement of the prosthetic valve in a native heart valve, such as the aortic valve, mitral valve, pulmonic valve, and/or tricuspid valve. The delivery device includes a release sheath assembly housed within an outer delivery sheath. A release sheath component of the assembly captures a portion of the prosthetic valve to the delivery device, and effectuates complete release of the prosthetic valve with retraction of the outer sheath.