Wide clip with deformable width

A fixation device for fixation of leaflets of a heart valve comprising:

• a central assembly;
• at least one arm moveably coupled relative to the central assembly, the at least one arm comprising:
• a deformable frame having a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis defined therebetween, the second end being moveable between a closed position and an open position, the deformable frame further comprising first and second deformable flex portions, each flex portion extending along a respective lateral side of the deformable frame and having a deformed condition and an undeformed condition, each flex portion having an outer lateral edge,
• wherein the first flex portion comprises a deformable first flank member extending longitudinally along a first lateral side of the deformable frame and the second flex portion comprises a deformable second flank member extending longitudinally along a second lateral side of the deformable frame, the first and second flank members in the deformed condition being aligned generally parallel with the longitudinal axis,
• wherein the deformable frame further comprises:
• a first strut extending laterally from the first flank member toward the second flank member and a second strut extending laterally from the second flank member toward the first strut member,
• wherein the at least one arm has a maximum deformed arm lateral cross-dimension with the flex portions in the deformed condition and a maximum undeformed arm width defined between the outer lateral edge of the first flex portion and the outer lateral edge of the second flex portion in the undeformed condition, wherein the maximum undeformed arm width is greater than the maximum deformed arm lateral cross-dimension;
• and
• at least one gripping element moveable relative to the at least one arm to capture a native leaflet therebetween.

A fixation device for fixation of leaflets of a heart valve comprising:

• a central assembly;
• at least one arm moveably coupled relative to the central assembly, the at least one arm comprising:
• a deformable frame having a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis defined therebetween, the second end being moveable between a closed position and an open position, the deformable frame further comprising first and second deformable flex portions, each flex portion extending along a respective lateral side of the deformable frame and having a deformed condition and an undeformed condition, each flex portion having an outer lateral edge,
• wherein the first flex portion comprises a deformable first flank member extending longitudinally along a first lateral side of the deformable frame and the second flex portion comprises a deformable second flank member extending longitudinally along a second lateral side of the deformable frame, the first and second flank members in the deformed condition being aligned generally parallel with the longitudinal axis,
• wherein the deformable frame comprises a plurality of first struts extending laterally from the first flank member toward the second flank member and a plurality of second struts extending laterally from the second flank member toward the first strut member, the plurality of first struts and the plurality of second struts configured to interlock with each other in the deformed condition and release from each other in the undeformed condition,
• wherein the at least one arm has a maximum deformed arm lateral cross-dimension with the flex portions in the deformed condition and a maximum undeformed arm width defined between the outer lateral edge of the first flex portion and the outer lateral edge of the second flex portion in the undeformed condition, wherein the maximum undeformed arm width is greater than the maximum deformed arm lateral cross-dimension;
• and
• at least one gripping element moveable relative to the at least one arm to capture a native leaflet therebetween.