CA2509211A1

CA2509211A1 - Biologically implantable prosthesis and methods of using the same

Info

Publication number: CA2509211A1
Application number: CA002509211A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Thomas J. Fogarty; Michael J. Drews; Neil Holmgren; D. Bruce Modesitt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Medtronic Inc
Priority date: 2002-12-20
Filing date: 2003-12-20
Publication date: 2004-07-15
Anticipated expiration: 2023-12-20
Also published as: CA2509211C; JP5386664B2; EP1585463A2; US20140088697A1; WO2004058106A2; US7981153B2; US8460373B2; EP1585463B1; US8025695B2; US20160250021A1; US20040122514A1; US6939365B1; EP2476394B1; WO2004058106A3; US20190336277A1; US9333078B2; EP2476394A1; EP1585463A4; US20110257737A1; US10595991B2

Abstract

A biological implantable prosthesis (2) is disclosed. The prosthesis (2) can have a circumferentially expandable wall (4) with engagement elements (148) that enable the prosthesis (2) to engage a second prosthesis (68). The prosthesis (2) can be placed accurately into annulus (204) which has an initial annulus diameter (206). The prosthesis (2) can be used to expand the annulus (204) to an expanded annulus diameter (208).

Description

7 [0001] The present invention relates generally to a biologically implantable 8 prosthesis, a heart valve assembly using the prosthesis, and methods of using the same 9 within an annulus of the body.

12 [0002] Prosthetic heart valves can replace defective human valves in patients.
13 Prosthetic valves commonly include sewing rings or suture cuffs that are attached to 14 and extend around the outer circumference of the prosthetic valve orifice.
[0003] In a typical prosthetic valve implantation procedure, the heart is incised and 16 the defective valve is removed leaving a surrounding area of locally tougher tissue.
17 Known heart valve replacement techniques include individually passing sutures 18 through the tough tissue to form an array of sutures. Free ends of the sutures are 19 extended out of the thoracic cavity and laid, spaced apart, on the patient's body. The free ends of the sutures are then individually threaded through an edge around the 21 circumference of the sewing ring. Once all sutures have been run through the ring, all 22 the sutures are pulled up taught and the prosthetic valve is slid or "parachuted" down 23 into place adjacent the tough tissue. Thereafter, the prosthetic valve is secured in 24 place by traditional knot tying with the sutures.
[0004] The sewing ring is often made of a biocompatible fabric through which a 26 needle and suture can pass. The prosthetic valves are typically sutured to a biological 27 mass or annulus that is left when the surgeon removes the existing valve from the 28 patient's heart. The sutures are tied snugly, thereby securing the sewing ring to the 29 annulus and, in turn, the prosthetic valve to the heart.

[0005] Sewing rings can be tedious to secure to the valve orifice. Further, attaching 31 the sewing ring to the annulus can be time consuming and cumbersome. The 32 complexity of suturing provides a greater opportunity for mistakes and requires a 33 patient to be on cardiopulmonary bypass for a lengthy period. It is also desirable to 1 provide as large of a lumen through the prosthetic valve as possible to improve 2 hemodynamics. However, techniques for attaching the sewing ring to the orifice 3 typically require the area of the valve lumen be reduced to accommodate an 4 attachment mechanism. For example, the sewing ring is typically retained on top of the annulus, resulting in a lumen that is, at the largest, the size of the original lumen.
6 [0006] A patient can also have a natural valve lumen that is detrimentally small. In 7 these cases, the natural valve can be gusseted before the prosthetic valve is implanted.

8 To gusset the natural valve, a longitudinal incision can be made along the wall of the 9 lumen. The lumen can then be circumferentially expanded and the now-expanded incision can be covered with a patch graft or other membrane and stitched closed.
11 [0007] U.S. Patent No. 4,743,253 to Magladry discloses a suture ring with a 12 continuous compression ring. Magladry's ring is ductile, but provides a compressive, 13 not expansive, force. In fact, the ring taught by Magladry is intended for placement 14 over a heart valve and provides compression on the heart valve.
[0008] U.S. Patent No. 6,217,610 to Carpentier et al. discloses an expandable 16 annuloplasty ring. Carpentier et al. teach expanding the ring over the life of a patient 17 by increasing the size of the ring by balloon dilatation. The ring is intended to 18 remodel the shape of the valve annulus, not serve as a foundation to attach a second 19 prosthesis and form a heart valve.
[0009] U.S. Patent No. 5,984,959 to Robertson et al. discloses an expandable heart 21 valve ring for attaching a synthetic valve thereto and a tool for attaching the ring to 22 the synthetic valve. Robertson et al. teach the ring as having tabs that are used to 23 attach to the second prosthesis by using a second device to engage the tabs.
24 [0010] There is a need for a circumferentially expandable bio-prosthesis.
There is also a need for a prosthesis and method that can expand an annulus and maintain an 26 enlarged annulus circumference. Furthermore, there is a need for a minimally 27 invasive heart valve replacement procedure. Also, there is a need for a prosthesis that 28 can provide for the above and engagement with a second prosthesis, for example, the 29 crown of a heart valve. Furthermore, there is a need for the above prosthesis that can self engage a second prosthesis to improve implantation time.

1 [0011] One embodiment of the disclosed prosthesis is a biologically implantable 2 first prosthesis for a heart valve having a circumferentially expandable wall. The wall 3 has a latitudinal cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a 4 longitudinal cross-section parallel to the longitudinal axis. The prosthesis also has an engagement element configured to self engage a second prosthesis.
6 [0012] The first prosthesis can also have a stop, where the stop prevents the wall 7 from circumferentially decreasing. The first prosthesis can also have a fixturing 8 device connector. The wall can also be corrugated. The wall can also have a turned 9 lip on its leading edge. The first prosthesis can also be in an assembly where the first prosthesis can receive a second prosthesis, for example a crown.
11 [0013] Another embodiment of the prosthesis is a biologically implantable first 12 prosthesis for a heart valve having a wall with a first edge and a second edge. The 13 wall has a longitudinal axis at the center of the first prosthesis, and the first edge has 14 an engagement element for engaging a second prosthesis. The engagement element is also turned toward the second edge.
16 [0014] The engagement element can be curved toward the second edge. The first 17 edge can be the leading edge. The first prosthesis can also have a fixturing device 18 connector that can be a port in the wall. The wall can also be corrugated.
The first 19 prosthesis can also be in an assembly with a second prosthesis connected to the engagement element. The second prosthesis can be a crown.
21 [0015] An embodiment of a method of implanting a heart valve in a valve annulus is 22 attaching a first prosthesis to the valve annulus and attaching a second prosthesis to 23 the first prosthesis. The first prosthesis has a circumferentially expandable wall. The 24 wall has a longitudinal axis, and the wall has a latitudinal cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
26 [0016] The first prosthesis can be a ring. The second prosthesis can be a crown.
27 The wall of the first prosthesis can have a first terminal end and a second terminal 28 end. Attaching the first prosthesis can include fixing the first prosthesis to a 29 biological mass with a fixturing device. Attaching the first prosthesis can also include snap-fitting the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis.
31 [0017] Another embodiment of a method of implanting a heart valve in a valve 32 annulus includes attaching a first prosthesis to the valve annulus and attaching a 33 second prosthesis to the first prosthesis. The first prosthesis has a wall having a first 1 edge and a second edge. The wall also has a longitudinal axis. The first edge 2 comprises an engagement element, and the engagement element is turned toward the 3 second edge.
4 [0018] The engagement element can be turned away from the longitudinal axis.
The first prosthesis can be a ring. The second prosthesis can be a crown.
Attaching 6 the crown can include snap-fitting the crown to the first prosthesis.
7 [0019] An embodiment of a method of increasing and maintaining the size of a 8 biological valve annulus includes placing a circumferentially expandable first 9 prosthesis in the annulus. The method also includes circumferentially expanding the first prosthesis, and circumferentially locking the first prosthesis.
11 [0020] Circumferentially expanding the first prosthesis can include increasing the 12 radius of the annulus from about 0.1 mm (0.004 in.) to more than about 2.0 mm (0.08 13 in.). The first prosthesis can also have an engagement element configured to receive a 14 second prosthesis.

17[0021] Figure 1 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the prosthesis.

18[0022] Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the embodiment of the prosthesis of 19Figure 1.

20[0023] Figure 3 is a bottom view of another embodiment of the prosthesis.

21[0024] Figure 4 is a top perspective view of the embodiment of the prosthesis of 22Figure 3.

23[0025] Figure 5 is a bottom view of another embodiment of the prosthesis.

24[0026] Figure 6 is a top perspective view of the embodiment of the prosthesis of 25Figure 5.

26[0027] Figure 7 is a bottom view of another embodiment of the prosthesis with cut-27 away views of the collars.
28 [0028] Figure 8 is a top perspective view of the embodiment of the prosthesis of 29 Figure 7 with cut-away views of the collars.
30 [0029] Figure 9 is a bottom view of another embodiment of the prosthesis with cut-31 away views of the collars.
32 [0030] Figure 10 is a top perspective view of the embodiment of the prosthesis of 33 Figure 8 with cut-away views of the collars.

1 [0031] Figure 11 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of the prosthesis 2 with magnets.
3 [0032] Figure 12 illustrates cross-section A-A of Figure 11.
4 (0033] Figure 13 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of the prosthesis with magnets.
6 [0034] Figure 14 illustrates cross-section B-B of Figure 13.
7 [0035] Figure 15 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of the prosthesis 8 with magnets.
9 [0036] Figures 16-18 are top views of various deformable embodiments of the prosthesis in unexpanded states.
11 [0037] Figure 19 is a top view of the embodiment of the prosthesis of Figure 12 in 12 an expanded state.
13 (0038] Figures 20-22 illustrate various embodiments of the fixturing device 14 connectors.
[0039] Figures 23-25 illustrate various embodiments of the receiving elements.
16 [0040] Figures 26 and 27 are cut-away views of various embodiments of the 17 receiving elements.
18 [0041] Figures 28-33 illustrate various embodiments of the protrusions.
19 [0042] Figure 34 illustrates the steering elements.
[0043] Figures 35-43 are cross-sections of various embodiments of the wall of the 21 prosthesis.

23 [0044] Figure 44 illustrates an embodiment of the prosthesis of Figure 38.
24 [0045] Figures 45 and 46 illustrate cross-sections of the wall of the prosthesis with various embodiments of the covering.
26 [0046] Figures 47-52 illustrate various embodiments of the engagement element.
27 [0047] Figure 53 is a cut-away view of an embodiment of positioning the prosthesis 28 in an annulus with a solid view of the prosthesis.
29 [0048] Figure 54 is a cut-away view of an embodiment of positioning the prosthesis in an annulus.
31 [0049] Figures 55 and 56 illustrate various embodiments of the protrusions and 32 receiving elements when the prosthesis is not expanded.
33 [0050] Figure 57 is a cut-away view of an embodiment of expanding the prosthesis.

1 [0051] Figures 58 and 59 illustrate an embodiment of an expansion tool.
2 [0052] Figures 60 and 61 illustrate another embodiment of an expansion tool.
3 [0053] Figures 62 and 63 illustrate various embodiments of the protrusions and 4 receiving elements when the prosthesis is expanded.
[0054] Figure 64 is a cut-away view of fixturing the prosthesis to a biological mass.
6 [0055] Figures 65-68 illustrate an embodiment of a method and assembly for 7 fixturing the prosthesis to a biological mass.
8 [0056] Figure 69 is a cut-away view of positioning the second prosthesis onto the 9 first prosthesis with a solid view of the second prosthesis.
[0057] Figure 70 is a cut-away view of attaching the second prosthesis to the first 11 prosthesis.
12 [0058] Figures 71-77 are exploded views of various embodiments of attaching the 13 second prosthesis to the first prosthesis.
14 [0059] Figure 78 is an exploded view of an embodiment of attaching the second prosthesis to an adapter and attaching the adapter to the first prosthesis.
16 [0060] Figures 79 and 80 illustrate cross-sections C-C and D-D, respectively, from 17 Figure 78.
18 [0061] Figure 81 is a top view of an embodiment of the first prosthesis with the 19 second prosthesis attached thereto.
[0062] Figures 82-84 illustrate an embodiment of a method of removing the second 21 prosthesis from the first prosthesis.

[0063] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of a biologically implantable first 26 prosthesis 2. The first prosthesis 2 can have a wall 4. The wall 4 can have material 27 strength and dimensions known to one having ordinary skill in the art to make the first 28 prosthesis resiliently expandable. The wall 4 can have an open form or spiral 29 longitudinal cross-section, as shown in Figure 1. The longitudinal cross-section can be perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis 6.
31 [0064] The wall 4 can have a first terminal end 8 and a second terminal end 10.
32 Each end 8 and 10 can be defined from a midpoint 12 of the wall 4 to a first terminus 33 14 or a second terminus 16 of the wall 4 at the respective end 8 or 10. The wall 4 can 1 have an end difference length 18. The end difference length 18 can be the shortest 2 angular length from the first terminus 14 to the second terminus 16. The wall 4 can 3 also have a leading edge 20 and a trailing edge 22. The leading edge 20 and trailing 4 edge 22 can be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 6. The first prosthesis 2 can have a circumference equivalent to a wall length 24 minus an end 6 difference length 18. The wall 4 can have a wall height 25. The wall height can be 7 from about 3.18 mm (0.125 in.) to about 12.7 mm 8.26 mm (0.500 in.), for example 8 about (0.325 in.). The wall 4 can also be void of any attachment device with which to 9 fix one end 8 or 10 of the wall 4 to the other end 8 or 10 of the wall 4.
The wall 4 can made from stainless steel alloys, nickel titanium alloys (e.g., Nitinol), cobalt-chrome 11 alloys (e.g., ELGILOY~ from Elgin Specialty Metals, Elgin, IL; CONICHROME~

12 from Carpenter Metals Corp., Wyomissing, PA), polymers such as polyester (e.g., 13 DACRON~ from E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, DE), 14 polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), expanded PTFE (ePTFE), polyether ether ketone (PEED), nylon, extruded collagen, silicone, radiopaque materials or 16 combinations thereof. Examples of radiopaque materials are barium, sulfate, 17 titanium, stainless steel, nickel-titanium alloys and gold.
18 [0065] Figures 3 and 4 illustrate an embodiment of the first prosthesis 2 that can be 19 mechanically expandable. A first protrusion 26 and a second protrusion 28 at the first terminal end 8 can extend from the wall 4. The protrusions 26 and 28 can extend 21 perpendicular to the wall 4 or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 6.
The 22 protrusions 26 and 28 can be tabs, brads, extensions, balls, rods or a combination 23 thereof. The protrusions can have a protrusion depth 30 sufficient to retain the wall 4.
24 [0066] The wall 4 can also have a first receiving element 32 and a second receiving element 34 at the second terminal end 10 that receive or engage the first protrusion 26 26 and the second protrusion 28, respectively. The wall 4 can also have more or less 27 (e.g., one or zero) receiving elements 32 or 34. The receiving elements 32 and 34 can 28 be holes in the wall 4. The receiving elements 32 and 34 can also be divets, dimples, 29 hooks, slots, or a combination thereof. The protrusions 26 and 28 and receiving elements 32 and 34 can act together as a stop, or an interference fit, to prevent the first 31 prosthesis 2 from circumferentially extending or decreasing beyond desired limits.
32 [0067] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate an embodiment of the first prosthesis 2 that can 33 have protrusions 26 and receiving elements 32 that can be dimples. The protrusions 1 26 and receiving elements 32 can be in a first row 36, a second row 38, and additional 2 rows 40. The protrusions 26 can also be in a first column 42, a second column 44, 3 and additional columns 46. The receiving elements 32 can have a receiving element 4 depth 46 within the same range of sizes as the protrusion depth 36, above.
[0068] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate an embodiment of the first prosthesis 2 that can 6 have the protrusions 26 and 28 extending from the first terminus 14 substantially at a 7 tangent to the wall 4. The protrusions 26 and 28 can be rods 48 with balls 50 at the 8 ends of the rods 48. The receiving elements 32 and 34 can extend from the second 9 terminus 16 substantially at a tangent to the wall 4. The receiving elements 32 and 34 can be collars 52 for receiving the balls 50. The wall 4 can have a longitudinal cross-11 section in the shape of a circular open curve, as shown in Figure 7. A
circumferential 12 gap 54 can exist between the first terminus 14 and the second terminus 16.
13 [0069] Figures 9 and 10 illustrate an embodiment of the first prosthesis 2 that can 14 have different embodiments of protrusions 26 and 28 and receiving elements 32 and 34. The first prosthesis 2 of Figures 9 and 10 can also have a wall angle 56 relative to 16 the longitudinal axis 6 controlled by the dimensions of the protrusions 26 and 28 and 17 receiving elements 32 and 34 and the locations of the protrusions 26 and 28 and 18 receiving elements 32 and 34 on the wall 4. The wall angle 56 can be from about 10°
19 to about 60°, more narrowly from about 20° to about 45°, for example about 25°. The protrusions 26 and 28 and the receiving elements 32 and 34 can be located along the 21 trailing edge 22, the leading edge 20 or therebetween.
22 [0070] Figures 11 and 12 illustrate an embodiment of the first prosthesis 2 with the 23 wall 4 having a bottom segment 58 and a top segment 60. The first prosthesis 2 can 24 be deformably circumferentially expandable. The bottom segment 58 can have the wall angle 56 relative to the longitudinal axis 6. The angle between the bottom 26 segment 58 and the top segment 60 can be a joint angle 62. The joint angle 62 can be 27 from about 90° to about 180°, more narrowly from about 90° to about 160°, for 28 example about 120°. The wall 4 can also have a first steering groove 64 that can 29 extend over the length of the bottom segment 58. The wall 4 can also have a second steering groove 66 that can extend over a portion of the length of the bottom segment 31 58. The grooves 64 and 66 can help angularly align, with respect to the longitudinal 32 axis 6, a second prosthesis 68 that can be attached to the first prosthesis 2. The 33 grooves 64 and 66 can also prevent the rotation of the first prosthesis 2 with respect to 1 the second prosthesis 68. The second groove 66 can also help to longitudinally align 2 the second prosthesis 68.
3 [0071] The first prosthesis 2 can also have engagement elements, for example top 4 magnets 70 in the top segment 60 and bottom magnets 72 in the bottom segment 58.
The magnets 70 and 72 can have a magnet height 74, a magnet width 76 and a magnet 6 length 78. The magnets 70 and 72 can be rare earth, high strength-type magnets. The 7 magnets can be made from neodymium-iron-boron and can be encapsulated in a 8 coating made from PTFE (e.g., TEFLON~ (from E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and 9 Company, Wilmington, DE), PEEK, a similarly inert and stable biocompatible polymer, or a combination thereof. A radiopaque material can also be added to the 11 coating. The top and/or bottom magnets 70 and/or 72 can be customized to allow for 12 only one angular orientation of the second prosthesis 68 by changing the polarity of 13 one or an irregular number of magnets 70 and/or 72 (e.g., positive) to be different 14 from the polarity of the remaining magnets 70 and/or 72 (e.g., negative).
[0072] In one example, 24 magnets 70 can be evenly distributed around the 16 circumference of the first prosthesis 2. The magnet heights 74 can be about 3.175 17 mm (0.125 in.). The magnet widths 76 can be about 3.175 mm (0.125 in.). The 18 magnet lengths 78 can be about 1.59 mm (0.0625 in.).
19 [0073] Figures 13 and 14 illustrate an embodiment of the first prosthesis 2 similar to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 11 and 12. The present embodiment of the first 21 prosthesis 2 can have a cloth sewing surface 80. The magnets 70 can be square or 22 rectangular in cross-section (as shown in Figures 11 and 12) or oval or circular in 23 cross-section (as shown in Figures 13 and 14). The wall 4 can also be multiple 24 segments 58 and 60, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, or a single segment, as shown in Figures 13 and 14.
26 [0074] Figure 15 illustrates an embodiment of the first prosthesis 2 similar to the 27 embodiment illustrates in Figures 11 and 12. The first prosthesis 2 in the present 28 embodiment can also be mechanically andlor resiliently circumferentially expandable.
29 [0075] Figures 16-18 illustrate deformable embodiments of the first prosthesis 2. In an unexpanded state, the first prosthesis 2 can have an unexpanded diameter 82. The 31 embodiment of the first prosthesis 2 in Figure 16 can have a smooth wall 4, thereby 32 relying on hoop strain to expand. In Figure 17, the embodiment can have an 33 accordianed wall 4 with multiple pleats or folds 84. The folds 84 can open or unfold 1 to maximize circumferential expansion of the wall 4 during use. The embodiment of 2 the first prosthesis 2 in Figure 18 can have a single large fold 84 for the same purpose 3 as the folds 84 shown in Figure 17. Figure 19 illustrates a deformable embodiment of 4 the first prosthesis 2 in an expanded state. A radial force, as shown by arrows, directed away from the longitudinal axis 6 can expand the first prosthesis 2 to an 6 expanded diameter 86. Materials and dimensions of the first prosthesis 2 can be 7 selected by one having ordinary skill in the art to permit the ratio of the unexpanded 8 diameter 82 to the expanded diameter 86 to be from about 0% to about 50%, more 9 narrowly from about 5% to about 20%, yet more narrowly from about 9% to about 12%, for example about 9.5%.
11 [0076] Figure 20 illustrates a length of the wall 4 that can have a first fixturing 12 device connector 88 and a second fixturing device connector 90. The fixturing device 13 connectors 88 and 90 can be ports or holes in the wall 4. The fixturing device 14 connectors 88 and 90 can be ovular and can have a fixturing device connector height 92 and a fixturing device connector length 94. The fixturing device connector height 16 92 can be from about 0.51 mm (0.020 in.) to about 3.18 mm (0.125 in.), more 17 narrowly from about 1.0 mm (0.040 in.) to about 1.5 mm (0.060 in.), for example 18 about 1.3 mm (0.050 in).
19 [0077] Figure 21 illustrates a length of the wall 4 that can have first, second, and additional fixturing device connectors 88, 90 and 96. The fixturing device connectors 21 88, 90 and 96 can be circular in shape. Figure 22 illustrates a length of the wall 4 that 22 can have the fixturing device connectors 88, 90 and 96 attached to the leading and 23 trailing edges 20 and 22. The fixturing device connectors 88, 90 and 96 can be made 24 from fabric or metal, for example polymers such as polyester (e.g., DACRON~
from E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, DE), polypropylene, PTFE, 26 ePTFE, nylon, extruded collagen, silicone, stainless steel alloys, nickel-titanium 27 alloys (e.g., Nitinol), cobalt-chrome alloys (e.g., ELGILOY~ from Elgin Specialty 28 Metals, Elgin, IL, CONICHROME~ from Carpenter Metals Corp., Wyomissing, PA) 29 or combinations thereof. Variously shaped and configured fixturing device connectors 88, 90 and 96 can be on the same wall 4.
31 [0078] Figure 23 illustrates a length of the wall 4 that can have the receiving 32 elements 32 and 34. The receiving elements 32 and 34 can be ports or holes in the 33 wall 4. The receiving elements 32 and 34 and the fixturing device connectors 88, 90 1 and 96 can be the same element. The receiving elements 32 and 34 can have a first 2 setting position 98 and a first neck 100 at one end of the first setting position 98. The 3 first setting position 98 can have a setting position length 102 from about 4 mm (0.2 4 in.) to about 10 mm (0.4 in.), for example about 6.3 mm (0.25 in.). The first neck 100 can have a neck width 104. The first neck 100 can be at a first end of a second setting 6 position 106. The receiving elements 32 and 34 can have more or less than two 7 setting positions 98 and 106 (e.g., one or zero). At a second end of the second setting 8 position 106, the second setting position 106 can have a second neck 108.
The second 9 neck 108 can be at a first end of a final stop position 110. The final stop position 110 can have a final stop length 112.
11 [0079] The first and second setting positions 98 and 106 can lead to the first and 12 second necks 100 and 108, respectively, with a ramp angle 114. The stop position 13 110 and the second setting position 106 can lead to the second 108 and first necks 14 100, respectively, with a stop angle 116.
[0080] Figure 24 illustrates narrowing oval or teardrop-shaped receiving elements 16 32 and 34. Figure 25 illustrates rectangular receiving elements 32 and 34.
17 [0081] Figure 26 illustrates the receiving element 32 that can be in the shape of a 18 collar or sleeve. The receiving element 32 can be attached by a connection zone 118 19 to a rod (not shown) extending from the wall 4 or to the wall 4 itself. The receiving element 32 can have first wedges 120 and second wedges 122. The length between 21 the closest point of the first wedges 120 or of the second wedges 122 can be the neck 22 width 104. The wedges 120 and 122 can revolve around the entire receiving element 23 32, thereby forming a single, circular first wedge 120 and a single, circular second 24 wedge 122 (when seen in three-dimensions).
[0082] A receiving element shaftway 124 can be open at one end of the receiving 26 element 32. The receiving element 32 can have a first narrowing 126 near the 27 connection zone 118 and a second narrowing 128 near the receiving element shaftway 28 124. Figure 27 illustrates the receiving element 32 that can have the wedges 120 and 29 122 shaped as scales or stop tabs.
[0083] A length of the wall 4 that can have protrusions 26 and 28 is illustrated in 31 Figure 28. The protrusions 26 and 28, shown alone in various embodiments in 32 Figures 29 and 25, can be made from an extension 130 and a cuff 132. The extension 33 130 can be shaped cylindrically or, as shown in Figure 30, as a shaft with a triangular 1 cross-section. The extension 130 can have an extension height 134 and an extension 2 width 136. The extension height 134 can be from about 0.51 mm (0.020 in.) to about 3 2.54 mm (0.100 in.), for example about 1.3 mm (0.050 in.). The final stop length 112 4 can be from about the extension width 136 to about 10 mm (0.4 in.), for example about 6.3 mm (0.25 in.).
6 [0084] The cuff 132 can be shaped as a circle or a square and can be substantially 7 flat in depth. The cuff 132 can have a cuff height 138 and a cuff width 140.
The cuff 8 height 138 can be from about the fixturing device connector height 92 to about 5.08 9 mm (0.200 in.), for example about 2.0 mm (0.080 in). The cuff width 140 can be within the range for the cuff height 138, above.
11 [0085] Figure 31 illustrates a length of the wall 4 having the protrusions 26 and 28 12 formed from tabs cut out of the wall 4. Cut holes 142 can exist in the wall 4 where 13 the material in the protrusions 26 and 28 was located in the wall 4 before being cut 14 out.
[0086] Figure 32 illustrates a length of the wall 4 that can have a first set and a 16 second set of protrusions 26 and 28 extending from the wall 4. The wall 4 can have a 17 wall radius of curvature 144. The protrusions 26 and 28 can have protrusion radii of 18 curvature 146. The protrusion radii of curvature 146 can be from about the wall 19 radius of curvature 144 to infinity.
[0087] Figure 33 illustrates a length of the wall 4 that can have an engagement 21 element 148. The engagement element 148 can be shaped as a lip and wrapped 22 around the protrusion 26. The engagement element 148 can enable the first prosthesis 23 2 to self engage the second prosthesis 68. For example, the engagement element 148 24 can snap-fit to the second prosthesis 68.
[0088] Figure 34 illustrates the first terminal end 8 and the second terminal end 10.
26 The second terminal end 10 can have a first guide 150 and a second guide 152 that 27 can wrap around the leading edge 20 and the trailing edge 22, respectively, of the first 28 terminal end 8. The first terminal end 8 can slide angularly, with respect to the 29 longitudinal axis 6, within the guides 150 and 152. The guides 150 and 152 can also minimize the risk of the first terminal end 8 moving too far away from or becoming 31 misaligned from the second terminal end 10.
32 [0089] Figures 35-43 illustrate embodiments of the first prosthesis 2 at a latitudinal 33 cross-section. The latitudinal cross-section can be a cross-section parallel with the 1 longitudinal axis 6. Figure 35 illustrates an embodiment with the wall 4 having a 2 corrugated latitudinal cross-section. Figure 36 illustrates an embodiment with the 3 wall 4 having a straight latitudinal cross-section, parallel with the longitudinal axis 6.
4 [0090] Figure 37 illustrates an embodiment having the trailing edge 22 angled toward the longitudinal axis 6 at the wall angle 56. Figure 38 illustrates an 6 embodiment having the trailing edge 22 angled away from the longitudinal axis 6 at 7 the wall angle 56.
8 [0091] Figure 39 illustrates an embodiment having a wall 4 convex toward the 9 longitudinal axis 6. The wall 4 can be straight or have a lateral convex radius of curvature 154. Figure 40 illustrates an embodiment having a wall 4 concave toward 11 the longitudinal axis 6. The wall 4 can have a lateral concave radius of curvature 156 12 within the same range as the lateral convex radius of curvature 154.
13 [0092] Figure 41 illustrates an embodiment having a wall 4 with a top segment 60, a 14 middle segment 158 and a bottom segment 58. The top segment 60 and leading edge 20 can be angled away from the longitudinal axis 6. The bottom segment 58 and 16 trailing edge 22 can be angled away from the longitudinal axis 6. The middle 17 segment 158 can remain parallel to the longitudinal axis 6.
18 [0093] Figure 42 illustrates an embodiment having the top segment 60 and the 19 leading edge 20 that can be angled toward the longitudinal axis 6. The bottom segment 58 and trailing edge 22 can also be angled toward the longitudinal axis 6.
21 The middle segment 158 can remain parallel to the longitudinal axis 6.
22 [0094] Figures 43 and 44 illustrate an embodiment of the wall 4 that can have a 23 bottom segment 58 that can extend from the wall 4 at a retainer angle 160 with respect 24 to the longitudinal axis 6 from about 0° to about 90°, more narrowly from about 10°
to about 50°, for example about 30°. The bottom segment 58 can also have cuts 162, 26 shown in Figure 44. The cuts 162 can minimize stresses when the bottom segment 58 27 fans away from the middle segment 158. The bottom segment 58 can also act as a 28 retention element, extending beyond the typical trailing edge 22 and stabilizing the 29 first prosthesis 2 after the first prosthesis 2 is implanted.
[0095] Figure 45 illustrates a cross-section of the wall 4 that can have a fabric 31 covering 164, for example polyester (e.g., DACRON~ from E. I. du Pont de Nemours 32 and Company, Wilmington, DE), polypropylene, PTFE, ePTFE, nylon, extruded 33 collagen, silicone or combinations thereof. The fabric can be attached to the wall 4 at 1 a first attachment point 166 and a second attachment point 168. The bare area of the 2 wall between the attachment points 166 and 168 can be the engagement surface 170.
3 The second prosthesis 68 can engage the first prosthesis 2 at the engagement surface 4 170.
[0096] Figure 46 illustrates a cross-section of the wall 4 covered entirely by the 6 covering 164. The second prosthesis 68 can also engage the first prosthesis 2 at the 7 engagement surface 170 covered by the covering 164.
8 [0097] Figure 47 illustrates a length of wall 4 with the engagement element 148, 9 shaped as an open lip, on the leading edge 20. The engagement element 148 can be turned toward the longitudinal axis 6 and toward the trailing edge 22. Figure 11 illustrates the engagement element 148 turned away from the longitudinal axis 6 and 12 toward the trailing edge 22.
13 [0098] Figures 49 and 50 illustrate an embodiment of the first prosthesis 2 that can 14 have a first length 172, a second length 174 and a third length 176. The lengths 172, 174 and 176 can be separated by cuts 162 in the wall 4. The engagement element 16 on the first length 172 and third length 176 can turn toward the longitudinal axis 6.
17 The top and middle segments 60 and 158 of the first length 172 and the third length 18 176 can be bent away from the bottom segment 58 as shown by the arrows in Figure 19 50. The top and middle segments 60 and 158 of the second length 174 can be similarly bent but in the opposite direction to the top and middle segments 60 and 158 21 of the first and third lengths 172 and 176. The engagement element 148 on the 22 second length 174 can turn away from the longitudinal axis 6. A lip length 178 can be 23 the length between a first lip edge 180 of the engagement element 148 on the first 24 length 172 or third length 176 and a second lip edge 182 of the engagement element 148 on the second length 174. The lip length 178 can be small enough to form a 26 seam, crease or seat 184 to aid in seating, receiving and engaging a second prosthesis.
27 [0099] Figure 51 illustrates a length of the wall 4 that can have the lengths 172, 174 28 and 176. The engagement elements 148 on the first length 172 and third length 176 29 can turn away from the longitudinal axis 6. The engagement element 148 on the second length 174 can turn toward the longitudinal axis 6. The engagement element 31 148 can then engage a second prosthesis on both sides of the wall 4.
32 [0100] Figure 52 illustrates an embodiment that can have springs 186. One segment 33 of each spring 186 can be a latch 188. The springs 186 can have windings 190 around 1 a rail 192 fixed under the engagement element 148. The springs 186 can also have 2 retaining legs 194 pressed against the wall 4. The latches 188 can be biased to 3 contract, as shown by arrows 196, against the wall 4. The latches 188 can be held in 4 the uncontracted position shown in Figure 52 by interference beams 198. The interference beams 198 can be directly or indirectly rigidly attached to each other at a 6 proximal end (in the direction of arrows 200) to minimize the interference beams 198 7 from deflecting under the force, shown by arrows 196, from the latches 188.
The 8 interference beams 198 can be removed, as shown by arrows 200, allowing the latches 9 188 to contract, as shown by arrows 196, against, for example, the second prosthesis, once the second prosthesis is positioned within the reach of the latches 188.

13 [0101] The wall 4 can be made from methods known to one having ordinary skill in 14 the art. For example, the wall 4 can be molded or machined. The engagement element 148, the corrugation and any other bends in the wall 4 can be formed (e.g., 16 pressure formed), molded or machined into the wall 4 or bent into the metal with 17 methods known to one having ordinary skill in the art.
18 [0102] The protrusions 26 and 28 and the receiving elements 32 and 34 (e.g., at the 19 connection zone 118) can be fixed to the to the wall 4 or formed of the wall 4 by crimping, stamping, melting, screwing, gluing, welding, die cutting, laser cutting, 21 electrical discharge machining (EDM) or a combination thereof. Cuts 162 and holes 22 in the wall 4 can be made by die cutting, lasers or EDM.
23 [0103] Any part of the first prosthesis 2, or the first prosthesis 2 as a whole after 24 assembly, can be coated by dip-coating or spray-coating methods known to one having ordinary skill in the art. One example of a method used to coat a medical 26 device for vascular use is provided in iJ.S. Patent No. 6,358,556 by Ding et al. and 27 hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Time release coating methods known 28 to one having ordinary skill in the art can also be used to delay the release of an agent 29 in the coating. The coatings can be thrombogenic or anti-thrombogenic. For example, coatings on the inside of the first prosthesis 2, the side facing the 31 longitudinal axis 6, can be anti-thrombogenic, and coatings on the outside of the first 32 prosthesis, the side facing away from the longitudinal axis 6, can be thrombogenic.

1 [0104] The first prosthesis 2 can be covered with a fabric, for example polyester 2 (e.g., DACRON~ from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, DE), 3 polypropylene, PTFE, ePTFE, nylon, extruded collagen, silicone or combinations 4 thereof. Methods of covering an implantable device with fabric are known to those having ordinary skill in the art.

8 [0105] The first prosthesis 2 can be introduced in an unexpended state to an 9 antechamber 202 adjacent to a targeted valve annulus 204 by methods known to one having ordinary skill in the art. Figure 53 illustrates positioning and lowering, as 11 shown by the arrows, the first prosthesis 2 to the annulus 204. Because of the 12 collapsible and expandable nature of the first prosthesis 2, the procedure of 13 implanting the first prosthesis 2 can be accomplished thorascopically, endoscopically 14 and/or endoluminally. The first prosthesis 2 can be placed accurately enough into the annulus 204 so that the first prosthesis 2 does not block vessel openings in chambers 16 neighboring the annulus 204 (e.g., the openings for the coronary vessels) and does not 17 fall out of the annulus 204 (e.g., into a chamber of the heart, a ventricle for example).
18 The annulus 204 can have an initial annulus diameter 206. Figure 54 illustrates 19 positioning and seating the first prosthesis 2.
[0106] When the first prosthesis 2 is completely unexpended, the protrusion 26 and 21 the receiving element 32 can be aligned as illustrated in Figures 55 and 56. As shown 22 in Figure 55, the extension 130 can be located in the first setting position 98. As 23 shown in Figure 56, the ball 50 can be located in the first setting position 98.
24 [0107] The first prosthesis 2 can be circumferentially expanded, as illustrated by the arrows in Figure 57. The prosthesis can have an expanded annulus diameter 208.
26 The expanded annulus diameter 208 can be from about 5 mm (0.2 in.) to about 40 mm 27 (1.6 in.), depends on the size of the initial annulus diameter 206, and can be 28 influenced by other anatomy, anomalies (e.g., narrowing, stenosis) and age (e.g., 29 pediatric sizing). An expansion tool 210 can be used to expand the first prosthesis 2.
Examples of the expansion tool 210 include a balloon, back sides of a clamp jaws, or 31 a flexible plug assembly as shown in Figures 58-61. Another example of the 32 expansion tool 210 is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,984,959 to Robertson et al. which 33 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

1 [0108] Figure 58 illustrates a flexible plug 212 that can be cylindrical and have a 2 static plate 214 on a first side 216. The plug 212 can be made from polymers, for 3 example polyurethane or silicone. The plug 212 can have a hole 218 in the center of 4 the plug 212. A rigid inner tube 220 can pass through the hole 218 and be tied into a knot or pull against a washer 222 on the first side 216. A squeeze plate 224 can be 6 fixedly attached to an end of a rigid outer tube 226. The outer tube 226 can be larger 7 than the inner tube 220, and the inner tube 220 can slide through the outer tube 226.
8 A force in the direction of the plug 212 can be applied to the outer tube 226, as shown 9 by arrows 228. A force in the direction away from the plug 212 can be applied to the inner tube 220, as shown by arrows 230. The plug can have a resting diameter 11 when no forces are applied.
12 [0109] Once the forces shown by the arrows 228 and 230 are applied to the plug 13 212, the plug 212 can deform away from the tubes 220 and 226, as shown by arrows 14 234 and illustrated in Figure 59. Once deformed, the plug 212 can have an expanded diameter 236. The resting diameter 232 and the expanded diameter 236 can be sized 16 appropriately to the dimensions of the first prosthesis 2. The deformation of the plug 17 212 can also create forces in the same direction as the arrows 234. When the forces 18 shown by the arrows 228 and 230 are removed, the plug 212 can return to the shape 19 shown in Figure 58.
[0110] Figure 60 illustrates another embodiment of the plug 212. The plug 212 can 21 have a recessed top surface 238 and a recessed bottom surface 240. A top perimeter 22 242 and a bottom perimeter 244 can be angled from the recessed surfaces 238 and 240 23 to meet a wall 246 of the plug 212. The squeeze plate 224 and the static plate 214 can 24 both be conically or partially conically shaped to fit the perimeters 242 and 244 of the plug 212. As shown in Figure 61, when the forces shown by the arrows 228 and 26 are applied, the plug wall 246 can expand radially and maintain a flat surface.
27 [0111] When the first prosthesis 2 is completely expanded, the protrusion 26 and the 28 receiving element 32 can be aligned as illustrated in Figures 62 and 63. As shown in 29 Figure 62, the extension 130 can be located in the final stop position 110.
As shown in Figure 63, the ball 50 can be located in the final stop position 110. The 31 interference fit caused by the stop angle 116 and neck width 104 of the second neck 32 108 can prevent the protrusion 26 from re-entering the second setting position 106. In 33 addition, when expanded the first prosthesis frictionally engages the annulus, 1 expanding the annulus diameter. When expanded, the first prosthesis 2 can also trap 2 vascular plaque between the wall 4 and the perimeter of the annulus 204. The first 3 prosthesis 2 can also be partially expanded, forcing the protrusion 26 into the second 4 setting position 106.
S [0112] Fixturing devices 248 can be used to fix the first prosthesis 2 through the 6 fixturing device connectors 88 to the biological mass of the annulus 204, as shown in 7 Figure 64. Examples of fixturing devices 88 are sutures, clips, staples, pins and 8 combinations thereof.
9 [0113] Figures 65-68 illustrate one embodiment of a method of fixing the first prosthesis 2 to the annulus 204. Figure 65 illustrates an embodiment of a fixturing 11 device assembly 250. The fixturing device assembly 250 can have a needle 252. The 12 needle 252 can be curved or have a curved tip. The needle 252 can also be attached at 13 a proximal end to a distal end of a line 254. The proximal end of the needle 252 can 14 also be attached directly to the can 256 without the line 254 or formed as the can 256.
A proximal end of the line 254 can be attached to a can 256. The can 256 can be a 16 flexible cylindrical storage device, for example a coil. The can 256 can removably 17 hold the fixturing device 148. The fixturing device 148 can have a fixturing element 18 258, for example a wire or fiber. The fixturing element 258 can have a ball 260 at a 19 first end and a radially expandable portion 262 at a second end. The fixturing device 248 can also have a pledget 264 on the fixturing element 258 between the ball 21 and the expandable portion 262.
22 [0114] The fixturing device assembly 250 can be positioned so the needle 252 is 23 adjacent to the fixturing device connector 88, as shown by arrows 266. The needle 24 252 can then be pushed through the fixturing device connector 88 and the annulus 204, as shown by arrow 268 in Figure 66. The needle 252 can then be pulled away 26 from the annulus 204, as shown by arrow 270 in Figure 67. The can 256 can follow 27 the path of the needle 252 through the annulus 204, as shown by arrow 272.
The 28 pledget 264 can also be larger than the fixturing device connector 88, and the pledget 29 264 can provide an interference fit against the fixturing device connector 88. The needle 252 can continue to be pulled away from the annulus 204, pulling the can 256 31 out of the annulus 204, as shown by arrow 274 in Figure 68. The interference fit of 32 the pledget 264 against the fixturing device connector 88 can provide a resistive force 33 holding the fixturing device 248 and causing the fixturing element 258 to slide out of 1 the can 256 as the needle 252 is pulled away from the annulus 204. The radially 2 expandable portion 262 can then radially expand, thereby causing the first prosthesis 3 2 and the annulus 204 to be fixed between the pledget 264 and the radially expandable 4 portion 262.
[0115] The inner surface of the can 256 can be designed - for example by coiling, 6 corrugation, or other roughening - to adjust the friction between the inner surface of 7 the can 256 and the fixturing device 148. This friction can influence the amount of 8 resistive force necessary to remove the fixturing device 148 from the can 256. The 9 resistive force can be larger than about the force necessary to have the fixturing device 148 fall out of the can 256 before the fixturing device 148 has passed through 11 the annulus 104. The resistive force can also be less than about the force necessary to 12 deform the pledget 264 sufficient to pull the pledget 256 through the fixturing device 13 connector 88. The resistive force can be, for example, about 1.1 N (0.25 lbs.).
14 [0116] A second prosthesis 68 can then be positioned on the engagement element 148, as shown by the arrows in Figure 69. Once seated on the engagement element 16 148, the second prosthesis 68 can then be engaged by the first prosthesis 2, as shown 17 in Figure 70. Examples of second prostheses 68 include a connection adapter and a 18 heart valve crown with leaflets 276, for example, U.S. Patent No. 6,371,983 to Lane 19 which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0117] Figure 71 illustrates another embodiment of the heart valve assembly 21 with the second prosthesis 68. The first prosthesis 2 can have a tapered wall 280 to 22 provide a longitudinal stop and to guide insertion of the second prosthesis 68 into the 23 first prosthesis 2, as shown by arrows 282. The tapered wall 280 can also push back 24 the annulus 204, maintaining the expanded annulus diameter 208 when the second prosthesis 68 is engaged in the first prosthesis 2. The second prosthesis 68 can have 26 spring lock tabs 284 to fix to the engagement element 148. The spring lock tabs 284 27 can angle outwardly from the longitudinal axis 6. The first and second prostheses 2 28 and 68 can have first and second prosthesis diameters 288 and 290, respectively. The 29 first prosthesis diameter 288 can be larger than the second prosthesis diameter 290.
Figure 72 illustrates the embodiment of the heart valve assembly 278 of Figure 71, 31 however the second prosthesis diameter 290 can be larger than the first prosthesis 32 diameter 288, and the spring lock tabs 284 can angle inwardly toward the longitudinal 1 axis 6. The first prosthesis 2 and the second prosthesis 68 act to maintain the 2 expanded annular lumen diameter 208.
3 [0118] Figure 73 illustrates another embodiment of the heart valve assembly 4 with a second prosthesis 68 that can have fixation points 286 that align with fixation points 286 on the first prosthesis 2 to allow insertion of sutures, grommets, clips 292 6 or pins 294 through the aligned fixation points 286 to fix the first prosthesis 2 to the 7 second prosthesis 68.
8 [0119] Figure 74 illustrates another embodiment of the heart valve assembly 9 with a multi-lobed stiffening ring 296 that can be placed near the edge of the second prosthesis 68 as shown by arrows 298. The second prosthesis 68 can have several 11 flaps 300. The flaps 300 can wrap around the stiffening ring 296, as shown by arrows 12 302. The wrapped stiffening ring 296 can increase the rigidity of the second 13 prosthesis 68 and can engage the engagement element 148.
14 [0120] Figure 75 illustrates yet another embodiment of the heart valve assembly 278 with an embodiment of the first prosthesis 2 equivalent to the embodiment in Figure 16 52. The second prosthesis 68 can have latch openings 304 to receive the latches 188.
17 When the second prosthesis 68 is lowered into the first prosthesis 2, the interference 18 beams 198 can be removed, as shown by arrows 200. The latches 188 can then 19 contract onto the latch openings 304.
[0121] Figure 76 illustrates an embodiment of the heart valve assembly 278 with an 21 embodiment of the first prosthesis 2 equivalent to the embodiment in Figures 11 and 22 ' 12. The second prosthesis can have a rib 306 to fit within the groove 64.
The second 23 prosthesis 68 can also have an upper arm 308 that can have a top magnet 70 and a 24 lower arm 310 that can have a bottom magnet 72. The magnets 70 and 72 in the second prosthesis 68 can have polarities opposite of the polarities of the 26 corresponding magnets 70 and 72 in the first prosthesis 2. Figure 77 illustrates an 27 embodiment of the heart valve assembly 278 with an embodiment of the first 28 prosthesis equivalent to the embodiment in Figures 13 and 14.
29 [0122] Figure 78 illustrates an embodiment of the heart valve assembly 278 with an adapter 312 connecting the second prosthesis 68 to the first prosthesis 2. The adapter 31 312 can have spring lock tabs 284 to fix to the engagement element 148, and the 32 adapter 312 can have a stop ridge 314 to position the adapter 312 against the wall 4.

1 [0123] The adapter 312 can also have fixation points 286 that align with other 2 fixation points 286 on the second prosthesis 68 to allow insertion of sutures, 3 grommets, clips, pins, or the fixturing devices 248, through the aligned fixation points 4 286 to fix the adapter 312 to the second prosthesis 68. The second prosthesis 68 can also be lowered into the top of the adapter 312 as shown by arrow 316. The adapter 6 312 can attach to the inside or outside of the first or second prosthesis 2 or 68 7 depending on the dimensions and the orientation of the attachment apparatus (e.g., 8 unidirectional clips).
9 [0124] The adapter 312 can also have multiple shapes of cross-sections, as shown in Figures 79 and 80. As shown in Figure 79, cross-section C-C can have three lobes 11 318 and three scallops 320. One scallop 320 can be between each lobe 318.
Cross-12 section C-C can be the same as the cross-section of the second prosthesis 68 where 13 the second prosthesis 68 engages the adapter 312. As shown in Figure 80, cross-14 section D-D can be circular. Cross-section D-D can be the same as the cross-section 1 S of the first prosthesis 2 where the first prosthesis 2 engages the adapter 312.
16 [0125] Figure 81 illustrates a second prosthesis 68 received by a first prosthesis 2.
17 The second prosthesis 68 can have three lobes 318. The second prosthesis can have a 18 scallop 320 between each two lobes 318. The scallop gap 322 between each scallop 19 320 and the wall 4 can be covered by a fabric during use of the prostheses 2 and 68.
[0126] Figure 82 illustrates that a lever device 324, for example a clamp or scissors, 21 can be forced, as shown by arrows, into the scallop gap 322. As illustrated in Figure 22 83, once legs 326 of the lever device 324 are placed next to two scallops 320, the 23 lever device 324 can be squeezed, as shown by arrows, thereby crushing the second 24 prosthesis 68 and separating it from the first prosthesis 2. As illustrated in Figure 84, the second prosthesis 68 can be removed from the first prosthesis 2, as shown by 26 arrows, once the second prosthesis 68 is separated from the first prosthesis 2. Once 27 the second prosthesis 68 is removed, a new second prosthesis 68 can be added as 28 described above. Leaflet failure can be fixed easily and inexpensively by implanting 29 a new second prosthesis 68. Circumferential expansion of the first prosthesis 2 and replacement of the second prosthesis 68 to account for pediatric expansion of the 31 valve can also be performed easily and inexpensively.
32 [0127] It is apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications 33 can be made to this disclosure, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Elements shown with any embodiment are 2 exemplary for the specific embodiment and can be used on other embodiments within 3 this disclosure.

Claims

1. A biologically implantable first prosthesis for a heart valve comprising:
a circumferentially expandable wall, wherein the wall has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the wall has a latitudinal cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the wall has a longitudinal cross-section parallel to the longitudinal axis, and an engagement element configured to self-engage a second prosthesis.

2. The first prosthesis of Claim 1, further comprising a stop, wherein the stop prevents the wall from circumferentially decreasing.

3. The first prosthesis of Claim 2, wherein the stop prevents the wall from circumferentially expanding.

4. The first prosthesis of Claim 2, wherein the wall is resiliently expandable.

5. The first prosthesis of Claim 2, wherein the wall is deformably expandable.

6. The first prosthesis of Claim 2, wherein the wall is mechanically expandable.

7. The first prosthesis of Claim 2, wherein the latitudinal cross-section comprises an open form.

8. The first prosthesis of Claim 2, wherein the latitudinal cross-section comprises a spiral.

9. The first prosthesis of Claim 2, wherein the wall comprises a first terminal end.

10. The first prosthesis of Claim 9, wherein the wall comprises a second terminal end.

11. The first prosthesis of Claim 9, wherein the latitudinal cross-section comprises a spiral.

12. The first prosthesis of Claim 9, further comprising a first protrusion.

13. The first prosthesis of Claim 12, wherein the first protrusion is attached to the wall.

14. The first prosthesis of Claim 13, wherein the first protrusion extends from the wall with a vector having a radial component with respect to the longitudinal axis.

15. The first prosthesis of Claim 14, wherein the first protrusion comprises a dimple.

16. The first prosthesis of Claim 15, wherein the first protrusion comprises a tab.

17. The first prosthesis of Claim 16, further comprising a receiving element.

18. The first prosthesis of Claim 17, wherein the receiving element comprises an element in the wall.

19. The first prosthesis of Claim 12, wherein the first protrusion extends from the wall with a vector having an angular component with respect to the longitudinal axis.

20. The first prosthesis of Claim 19, wherein the first protrusion comprises a ball.

21. The first prosthesis of Claim 20, further comprising a receiving element.

22. The first prosthesis of Claim 21, wherein the receiving element comprises a collar.

23. The first prosthesis of Claim 9, further comprising a receiving element.

24 24. The first prosthesis of Claim 23, wherein the receiving element is configured to receive a protrusion extending from the wall with a vector with a radial component with respect to the longitudinal axis.

25. The first prosthesis of Claim 24, wherein the receiving element is configured to receive a protrusion extending from the wall with a vector having an angular component with respect to the longitudinal axis.

26. The first prosthesis of Claim 12, further comprising a second protrusion.

27. The first prosthesis of Claim 26, wherein the first protrusion is located at a first length along the longitudinal axis and wherein the second protrusion is located at a second length along the longitudinal axis.

28. The first prosthesis of Claim 26, wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are located at a first length along the longitudinal axis.

29. The first prosthesis of Claim 26, wherein the first protrusion comprises a first tab, and the first prosthesis further comprises a first port in the wall for receiving the first tab.

30. The first prosthesis of Claim 29, wherein the second protrusion comprises a second tab and a second port in the wall for receiving the second tab.

31. The first prosthesis of Claim 29, wherein the second protrusion comprises a ball, and the first prosthesis further comprises a collar for receiving the ball.

32. The first prosthesis of Claim 1, further comprising a fixturing device connector.

33. The first prosthesis of Claim 32, wherein the fixturing device connector comprises a port in the wall.

34. The first prosthesis of Claim 1, wherein the wall is corrugated.

35. The first prosthesis of Claim 1, wherein the wall has a leading edge and a trailing edge, and further comprising a turned lip on the leading edge.

36. A heart valve assembly comprising:

the first prosthesis of Claim 1, and the second prosthesis received by the first prosthesis.

37. The assembly of claim 36, wherein the second prosthesis is a crown.

38. The assembly of claim 37, wherein the crown is engaged by the engagement element.

39. The assembly of claim 37, wherein the crown comprises a leaflet.

40. The assembly of claim 36, wherein the first prosthesis is a ring.

41. The assembly of Claim 36, wherein the second prosthesis is fixedly connected to the first prosthesis.

42.. The assembly of Claim 36, wherein the second prosthesis is removably connected to the first prosthesis.

43. The assembly of Claim 36, wherein the second prosthesis is snap-fitted to the first prosthesis.

44. A biologically implantable prosthetic assembly for a heart valve comprising:
the first prosthesis of Claim 32, and a fixturing device attached to the fixturing device connector, wherein the fixturing device fixes the first prosthesis to a biological mass.

45. The assembly of Claim 44, wherein the fixturing device comprises a suture.

46. The assembly of Claim 44, wherein the fixturing device comprises a clip.

47. The assembly of Claim 44, wherein the fixturing device comprises a staple.

48. The assembly of Claim 44, wherein the fixturing device comprises a pin.

49. The assembly of Claim 44, wherein the fixturing device comprises a radially expandable wire.

50. A biologically implantable first prosthesis for a heart valve comprising:
a wall comprising a first edge and a second edge, wherein the wall has a longitudinal axis at the center of the first prosthesis, and wherein at least a portion of the wall is angled away from or toward the longitudinal axis, and wherein the first edge comprises an engagement element for engaging a second prosthesis.

51. The first prosthesis of Claim 50, wherein the engagement element is turned toward the second edge.

52. The first prosthesis of Claim 50, wherein the first edge is the leading edge.

53. The first prosthesis of Claim 50, wherein the engagement element is turned toward the longitudinal axis.

54. The first prosthesis of Claim 50, wherein the engagement element is turned away from the longitudinal axis.

55. The first prosthesis of Claim 50, wherein the engagement element comprises a first segment and a second segment, and wherein the first segment is turned away from the longitudinal axis and the second segment is turned toward the longitudinal axis.

56. The first prosthesis of Claim 50, further comprising a fixturing device connector.

57. The first prosthesis of Claim 56, wherein the fixturing device connector comprises a port in the wall.

58. The first prosthesis of Claim 50, wherein the wall is corrugated.

59. The first prosthesis of Claim 50, wherein the longitudinal cross-section comprises a convex curve with respect to the longitudinal axis.

60. The first prosthesis of Claim 50, wherein the longitudinal cross-section is a convex curve with respect to the longitudinal axis.

61. The first prosthesis of Claim 50, wherein the wall is circumferentially expandable.

62. A heart valve assembly comprising:

the first prosthesis of Claim 50, and the second prosthesis, wherein the second prosthesis is connected to the engagement element.

63. The assembly of claim 62, wherein the second prosthesis is a crown.

64. The assembly of claim 63, wherein the crown is engaged by the engagement element.

65. The assembly of claim 63, wherein the crown comprises a leaflet.

66. The assembly of claim 62, wherein the first prosthesis is a ring.

67. The assembly of Claim 62, wherein the second prosthesis is fixedly connected to the first prosthesis.

68. The assembly of Claim 62, wherein the second prosthesis is removably connected to the first prosthesis.

69. The assembly of Claim 62, wherein the second prosthesis self engages to the first prosthesis.

70. A heart valve assembly comprising:

a first prosthesis;
a first magnet in the first prosthesis;
a second prosthesis; and a second magnet in the second prosthesis, wherein an attraction between the first magnet and the second magnet engages the first prosthesis to the second prosthesis.

71. A method of implanting a heart valve in a valve annulus comprising:
attaching a first prosthesis to the valve annulus, the first prosthesis comprising a circumferentially expandable wall, wherein the wall has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the wall has a latitudinal cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and self attaching a second prosthesis to the first prosthesis.

72. The method of Claim 71, wherein the first prosthesis is a ring.

73. The method of Claim 71, wherein the second prosthesis is a crown.

74. The method of Claim 71, wherein the wall comprises a first terminal end.

75. The method of Claim 74, wherein the wall comprises a second terminal end.

76. The method of Claim 71, wherein the latitudinal cross-section comprises a spiral.

77. The method of Claim 71, wherein attaching the first prosthesis comprises positioning the first prosthesis in the annulus and circumferentially expanding the first prosthesis.

78. The method of Claim 71, wherein attaching the first prosthesis comprises fixing the first prosthesis to a biological mass with a fixturing device.

79. The method of Claim 71, wherein attaching the first prosthesis comprises positioning the first prosthesis in the annulus.

80. The method of Claim 71, wherein attaching the first prosthesis comprises snap-fitting the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis.

81. The method of Claim 71, further comprising removing the second prosthesis.

82. A method of changing a heart valve comprising removing a second prosthesis from a first prosthesis, wherein the first prosthesis is the first prosthesis of Claim 1.

83. The method of Claim 82, further comprising replacing the second prosthesis with another prosthesis.

84. A method of implanting a heart valve in a valve annulus comprising:

attaching a first prosthesis to the valve annulus, the first prosthesis comprising a wall, wherein the wall comprises a first edge and a second edge, and wherein the wall has a longitudinal axis, and wherein at least a portion of the wall is angled away from or toward the longitudinal axis, and wherein the first edge comprises an engagement element, and attaching a second prosthesis to the first prosthesis.

85. The method of Claim 84, wherein the engagement element is turned away from the longitudinal axis.

86. The method of Claim 85, wherein the first prosthesis is a ring.

87. The method of Claim 86, wherein the second prosthesis is a crown.

88. The method of Claim 87, wherein the first edge is the leading edge and the second edge is the trailing edge.

89. The method of Claim 88, wherein attaching the crown comprises snap-fitting the crown to the first prosthesis.

90. The method of Claim 89, wherein the second edge comprises a retention element.

91. A method of increasing and maintaining the size of a biological valve annulus comprising:

placing a circumferentially expandable first prosthesis in the annulus, circumferentially expanding the first prosthesis to an expanded size, and circumferentially maintaining the first prosthesis at the expanded size.

92. The method of Claim 91, wherein circumferentially expanding comprises increasing the radius of the annulus from about 0.1 mm to about 2.0 mm.

93. The method of Claim 91, wherein the first prosthesis comprises an engagement element configured to receive a second prosthesis.

94. A method of fixing a heart valve assembly to a biological mass comprising:
positioning the assembly near the mass, inserting a fixation device through the assembly and the mass, wherein the fixation device comprises a first end, a second end, and a middle, and wherein the first end is expandable, and wherein the first end and the second end are on opposite sides of the assembly and the mass, and expanding the first end.

95. A biologically implantable system for a heart valve comprising:

a first prosthesis comprising tissue, and a second prosthesis comprising an engagement element, wherein the engagement element is configured to engage the first prosthesis in one or more parallel planes.

96. The system of claim 95, wherein the first prosthesis comprises a tissue leaflet.

96. A biologically implantable system for a heart valve comprising:

a first prosthesis comprising tissue, and a second prosthesis having a longitudinal axis, the second prosthesis comprising an engagement element configured to self engage the first prosthesis.

98. The system of Claim 97, wherein the first prosthesis comprises a tissue leaflet.

99. The system of Claim 97, wherein the engagement element is configured to self-engage the first prosthesis when the first prosthesis is moved relative to the second prosthesis parallel to the longitudinal axis.

100. The system of Claim 97, wherein the second prosthesis comprises a circumferentially expandable wall.

101. A biologically implantable first prosthesis for a heart valve comprising:

a first prosthesis comprising tissue, and an engagement element configured to self-engage a second prosthesis.

102. The prosthesis of Claim 101, wherein the first prosthesis comprises a tissue leaflet.

103. The prosthesis of Claim 101, wherein the engagement element is configured to self-engage the second prosthesis when the first prosthesis is moved relative to the second prosthesis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second prosthesis.

104. A fixturing assembly comprising:

a needle comprising a needle body and a needle first end and a needle second end, said needle second end comprising a can, and a fixturing device comprising a fixturing device first end, a fixturing device second end, wherein at least a portion of the fixturing device first end is held by the can and removable from the can.

105. The assembly of Claim 104, wherein the needle comprises a curved portion.

106. The assembly of Claim 104, wherein the needle second end is directly attached to the can.

107. The assembly of Claim 104, wherein the needle second end is formed as the can.

108. The assembly of Claim 104, wherein the fixturing device second end comprises an interference fit piece.

109. The assembly of Claim 108, wherein the interference fit piece comprises a pledget.

110. The assembly of Claim 108, wherein the interference fit piece comprises a ball.

111. The assembly of Claim 110, further comprising a pledget retained by the ball.

112. The assembly of Claim 104, wherein the fixturing device first end comprises a radially expandable portion.

113. The assembly of Claim 112, wherein the radially expandable portion expands when the fixturing device first end is removed from the can.

114. A fixturing assembly comprising:

a needle comprising a needle second end, a can comprising a can first end, a line comprising a line first end and a line second end, wherein the line first end is attached to the needle second end and wherein the line second end is attached to the can first end, and a fixturing device comprising a fixturing device first end and a fixturing device second end, wherein at least a portion of the fixturing device first end is frictionally engaged by and removable from the can.

115. The assembly of Claim 114, wherein the line is a suture.

116. The assembly of Claim 114, wherein the can comprises a flexible section.

117. The assembly of Claim 116, wherein the flexible section comprises a coil.

118. The assembly of Claim 114, further comprising an interference fit piece attached to the fixturing device second end.

119. The assembly of Claim 118, wherein the interference fit piece comprises a pledget.

120. The assembly of Claim 118, wherein the interference fit piece comprises a ball.

121. The assembly of Claim 120, further comprising a pledget retained by the ball.

122. The assembly of Claim 114, wherein the fixturing device first end comprises a radially expandable portion.

123. The assembly of Claim 122, wherein the radially expandable portion expands when the fixturing device first end is removed from the can.

124. A method of fixturing a first mass and a second mass, the method comprising:

moving the fixation assembly of Claim 104 through the first mass and the second mass, and deploying the fixturing device from the can such that the fixturing device fixtures the first mass and the second mass.

125. The method of Claim 124, wherein the fixturing device is frictionally engaged by the can.

126. The method of Claim 124, wherein deploying further comprises slidably releasing the fixturing device from the can.

127. The method of Claim 124, wherein the fixturing device further comprises an interference fit piece, and the method further comprises catching the interference fit piece on the first mass.

128. The method of Claim 124, wherein the fixturing device first end comprises an expandable portion, and wherein deploying further comprises expanding the expandable portion when the fixturing device first end deploys from the can.

129. A method of fixturing a first mass and a second mass, the method comprising:
moving the fixation assembly of Claim 111 through the first mass and the second mass, and deploying the fixturing device from the can such that the fixturing device fixtures the first mass and the second mass.

130. The method of Claim 129, wherein the fixturing device is frictionally engaged by the can.

131. The method of Claim 129, wherein deploying further comprises slidably releasing the fixturing device from the can.

132. The method of Claim 129, wherein the fixturing device further comprises an interference fit piece, and the method further comprises catching the interference fit piece on the first mass.

133. The method of Claim 129, wherein the fixturing device first end comprises an expandable portion, and wherein deploying further comprises expanding the expandable portion when the fixturing device first end deploys from the can.