US Patent 9642704 Catheter for implanting a valve prosthesis

A catheter system configured to deploy a valve prosthesis can include a catheter tip at a distal end of the catheter system. The catheter tip can include a device holder releasably connected to and retaining the prosthesis. The catheter tip can also include a first housing portion that accommodates the first portion of the prosthesis, and a second housing portion that accommodates the second portion of the prosthesis. The first housing portion and the second housing portion are configured to move relative to one another such that the catheter system sequentially releases the prosthesis to an expanded state by uncovering the second portion of the prosthesis allowing the second portion of the prosthesis to expand.