CPC A61F 2/2433 (2013.01) [A61F 2/2418 (2013.01); A61F 2/958 (2013.01); A61F 2230/001 (2013.01)] | 16 Claims |
1. A system comprising:
A prosthetic heart valve having a stent frame with an axial opening and having an inflow end defining an inflow diameter, an outflow end defining an outflow diameter, and a central region defining a central diameter, the central region between the inflow end and the outflow end; and
a balloon extending through the axial opening and configured to expand and exert a radially directed force against the stent frame, the balloon having an inflow side positioned radially inward from the inflow end of the stent frame, an outflow side positioned radially inward from the outflow end of the stent frame, and a central portion positioned radially inward from the central region of the stent frame;
wherein a stiffness of the central region of the stent frame is lower than a stiffness of the inflow end of the stent frame and is lower than a stiffness of the outflow end of the stent frame;
wherein the balloon comprises a balloon wall, and a stiffness of the balloon wall at the central portion of the balloon is lower than a stiffness of the balloon wall at the inflow side of the balloon and is lower than a stiffness of the balloon wall at the outflow side of the balloon.
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