US 7,331,991 B2
	Implantable small percutaneous valve and methods of delivery
Arash Kheradvar, Pasadena, Calif. (US); Guruswami Ravichandran, Arcadia, Calif. (US); and Morteza Gharib, San Marino, Calif. (US)
Assigned to California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, Calif. (US)
Filed on Feb. 24, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/361,850.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/756705, filed on Jan. 06, 2006.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/748345, filed on Dec. 06, 2005.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/657474, filed on Mar. 01, 2005.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/656466, filed on Feb. 25, 2005.
Prior Publication US 2006/0195180 A1, Aug. 31, 2006
Int. Cl. A61F 2/06 (2006.01)

U.S. Cl. 623—1.22  [623/1.26; 623/1.3; 623/900; 623/910; 623/904]

37 Claims

1. A prosthetic valve for implantation in a patient comprising a first helical pre-implantation configuration and a second functional valvular configuration, wherein said first configuration is reversibly transformable to said second configuration, wherein said valve comprises: a support structure with leaflets mounted thereon, said support structure comprising a circular stent and a plurality of elongate support arms, and wherein a first support arm is splittable into two support beams along a longitudinal axis of said first support arm, said two support beams being subsequently capable of being structurally re-attached to enable a reversible transformation of said second configuration into said first configuration.