US 12,133,797 B2
Prosthetic heart valve delivery system: paddle attachment feature
Thomas Benson, Maple Grove, MN (US); and Jason S. Diedering, Minneapolis, MN (US)
Assigned to 4C Medical Technologies, Inc., Maple Grove, MN (US)
Filed by 4C Medical Technologies, Inc., Maple Grove, MN (US)
Filed on Jan. 28, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/160,703.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/968,220, filed on Jan. 31, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0236274 A1, Aug. 5, 2021
Int. Cl. A61F 2/24 (2006.01); A61F 2/95 (2013.01)
CPC A61F 2/243 (2013.01) [A61F 2/2427 (2013.01); A61F 2/9517 (2020.05); A61F 2/9522 (2020.05); A61F 2002/9505 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A delivery system for delivering an expandable prosthetic heart valve comprising a self-expanding stent frame, the delivery system comprising:
an operating handle comprising push/pull and release mechanisms;
three tether assemblies, wherein each of the tether assemblies is operatively connected at its distal end to a corresponding one of the push/pull and release mechanisms of the operating handle, wherein each of the tether assemblies comprises:
an outer tube defining a lumen therethrough; and
a notched wire configured to be slidingly received within the lumen of the outer tube and defining a T-shaped engagement channel at a distal end of the notched wire, wherein the T-shaped engagement channel is configured to be distally extended from the lumen of the outer tube; and
the self-expanding stent frame comprising three attachment features extending from an end of the self-expanding stent frame;
 wherein:
each T-shaped engagement channel is configured to releasably engage a corresponding one of the attachment features extending from the end of the self-expanding stent frame;
when the corresponding attachment feature is engaged with the T-shaped engagement channel, the outer tube is configured to be advanced over the entire T-shaped engagement channel, securing the corresponding attachment feature within the engagement channel; and
each attachment feature includes:
a wire portion; and
an enlarged proximal end portion having a circular shape that is configured to engage a T-shaped engagement channel corresponding to the attachment feature.