Systems, devices and methods with stent frame features
Inventors
HAYNES, Evelyn • Mahaffey, Ian • NOE, Spencer • Wallace, Dan • Gregg, Peter
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12697209-B2
Publication Date
2026-08-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
A replacement heart valve comprises one or more stent frame features, including inset barbs, ring attachment structures or attachment tabs.
Core Innovation
The claimed stent assembly comprises an expandable stent with struts forming an outer wall having first and second end regions and a middle region. Tether retention structures are arranged circumferentially around the first end region and define a circumferential tether path with uniformly spaced tether path locations. Tether lines follow the path, form loops extending away from it between retention structures, and overlap at least one other tether line along the path.
Each tether line has a main region with first and second end regions and a middle region containing its loop. A tether retention structure fixedly attached to an end of one tether line is also slidably passed through by a different tether line. The disclosure further describes routing variants including non-overlapping and closed-loop tethers, loop supports, a valve-bearing stent assembly, and staged delivery to support controlled stent collapse and delivery.
Claims Coverage
The claims identify one independent claim, claim 1, directed to a stent assembly with four inventive features.
Expandable stent with an outer wall
An expandable stent comprises an arrangement of struts forming an outer wall with a first end region, a second end region, and a middle region therebetween.
Circumferential tether path and retention structures
Tether retention structures are arranged circumferentially around the first end region and define a circumferential tether path with uniformly spaced tether path locations, with each retention structure located at one of those locations.
Looped and overlapping tether lines
Each tether line has a main region located along the circumferential tether path and a loop extending away from that path between two tether retention structures, wherein each tether line overlaps at least one other tether line along the path.
Fixed and sliding tether-line relationships
The main region of each tether line has first and second end regions and a middle region containing its loop, wherein each tether retention structure fixedly attached to an end of one tether line is also slidably passed through by a different tether line.
Claim 1 covers an expandable stent assembly with uniformly spaced circumferential tether retention structures, overlapping tether lines with loops extending away from the path, and retention structures providing fixed attachment to one tether line and slidable passage for another.
Stated Advantages
The arrangement supports controlled stent collapse and delivery.
Documented Applications
The stent assembly is described in connection with a replacement heart valve, valve-bearing stent assemblies, valve loading, and implantation views.
The expandable stent assembly is described in connection with controlled stent collapse and staged delivery.
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