Abstract There are disclosed various systems and methods for installing a synthetic, artificial heart valve within a patient. One system generally includes a plurality of sutures, each suture having a staple attached to a distal end thereof; a surgical stapler for radially discharging the staples into a heart at a location adjacent a site for installing the heart valve; a support assembly for releasably supporting the plurality of sutures; and a heart valve setter assembly, the heart valve setter assembly being operable to move the heart valve into position within the site in the heart. A method of installing a heart valve within a patient utilizing the system is provided and generally includes the steps of accessing a site within a heart from which a natural heart valve has been removed; positioning a surgical stapler within the site; discharging a plurality or staples, having sutures attached thereto, from the surgical stapler into the heart; lowering the heart valve along the sutures into position within the site in the heart; and securing the heart valve to the heart with the sutures.
A method of installing a heart valve within a patient comprising the steps of: accessing a site within a heart from which a natural heart valve has been removed; positioning a surgical stapler within the accessed site; discharging a plurality of staples, having sutures attached thereto, from the surgical stapler into the heart; lowering the heart valve along the sutures into position within the site in the heart; and securing the heart valve to the heart with the sutures.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of installing a heart valve within a patient comprising the steps of: accessing a site within a heart from which a natural heart valve has been removed; positioning a surgical stapler within the accessed site; discharging a plurality of staples, having sutures attached thereto, from the surgical stapler into the heart; lowering the heart valve along the sutures into position within the site in the heart; and securing the heart valve to the heart with the sutures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the sutures have needles attached to an end opposite the staples.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising the step of securing the sutures at a location above the accessed site with a support assembly prior to the step of lowering the heart valve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as recited in claim 3 , further comprising the step of removing the support assembly from the accessed site prior to the step of securing the heart valve to the heart.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising the step of inserting the sutures through a cuff of the heart valve prior to the step of lowering the heart valve along the sutures.