Patent attributes
A method of implanting a balloon expandable prosthetic valve within a native aortic valve includes introducing a delivery system into a femoral artery of a patient, the delivery system comprising an outer sleeve and a shaft extending through a lumen of the outer sleeve. A distal end portion of the shaft is positioned distal to a distal end of a steerable distal end portion of the outer sleeve. A prosthetic valve is crimped over a balloon disposed along the distal end portion of the shaft. The delivery system further comprises a first radiopaque marker inside the balloon and positioned adjacent a proximal end of the prosthetic valve and a second radiopaque marker inside the balloon and positioned adjacent a distal end of the prosthetic valve. The method also includes identifying a location of the prosthetic valve by monitoring the first and second radiopaque markers inside the balloon under fluoroscopy.
