Pneumatically power-assisted TAVI delivery system

A delivery device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve, the delivery device comprising:

• an operating handle, including:
• a housing defining a movement space therein;
• a piston cylinder disposed within the movement space;
• a piston slidable in a longitudinal direction within the piston cylinder, the piston and the piston cylinder together defining at least one pressure chamber;
• a deployment actuator coupled to the housing and rotatable relative to the housing;
• and
• a pneumatic switch in fluid communication with the pressure chamber, the pneumatic switch adapted to provide a pressurized fluid to the at least one pressure chamber to apply a force to the piston in the longitudinal direction, wherein rotation of the deployment actuator actuates the pneumatic switch;
• and
• a catheter assembly, including:
• a first shaft around which a compartment is defined, the first shaft being operatively connected to the piston or the housing, the compartment being adapted to receive the valve in an assembled condition;
• and
• a distal sheath operatively connected to the piston, the distal sheath being moveable between a closed condition covering the compartment and an open condition uncovering the compartment for deployment of the valve,
• wherein movement of the piston in the longitudinal direction in the piston cylinder moves the distal sheath between the closed condition and the open condition, and
• wherein rotation of the deployment actuator in a first direction moves the piston proximally in the longitudinal direction, and rotation of the deployment actuator in a second direction opposite the first direction moves the piston distally in the longitudinal direction.