Having unveiled attractive results of a study on its transcatheter aortic valve, Direct Flow Medical (Santa Rosa, CA) has just announced CE Mark approval for the device. The polymer frame prosthesis sits on top of the diseased natural valve with its inflatable rings guaranteeing contact along the perimeter.
Since the new valve only uses physical pressure from the inflatable rings to hold on, it can be repositioned at any time or removed completely if necessary.
Here’s more about the valve from its product page:
The bovine pericardial leaflets are attached to an inflatable polyester fabric cuff which conforms to the native aortic valve annulus and left ventricular outflow tract to form a seal to minimize the potential of paravalvular leak. The Bioprosthesis is designed with independently inflatable ventricular and aortic rings, which encircle and capture the native valve annulus to provide positive axial anchoring of the device. Inflation of the cuff with a saline and contrast solution renders the valve immediately functional and permits fluoroscopic visualization. Before final deployment, the saline and contrast mixture is exchanged under pressure, maintaining cuff shape and position, with a solidifying Polymer that hardens to form the permanent support structure.
Flashback: Direct Flow Medical Transcatheter Aortic Valve Does Well in Clinical Study
Product page: Direct Flow Medical Transcatheter Aortic Valve System…