Patent attributes
Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems used to deliver a prosthetic heart valve to a deficient valve. In one embodiment, for instance, a support member is positioned to at least partially surround the native chordae tendineae and/or leaflets of a valve. The support member can comprise a flexible, distensible material to reduce abrasion and other mechanical damage to surrounding structures. A locking member may be used to couple both ends of the support member, forming a support ring. The support member may have two magnetic end portions which can be magnetically coupled to form a support ring. An expandable prosthetic heart valve can be delivered into the native heart valve and expanded within the support band, thereby causing one or more of the native chordae tendineae and/or leaflets of the native heart valve to be frictionally secured between the support ring and the expanded prosthetic heart valve.
