Method and apparatus for resecting and replacing an aortic valve

A method for resecting a diseased heart valve, the method comprising:

• providing an apparatus for resecting the diseased heart valve, the apparatus comprising:
• an elongate member to allow the apparatus to be positioned in the heart, the elongate member having a longitudinal axis and a distal end;
• a selectively expandable portion having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the selectively expandable portion is positioned at the distal end of the elongate member, the selectively expandable portion defines a longitudinal axis from the proximal end to the distal end and is selectively expandable from a first position having a given width in a perpendicular direction to the longitudinal axis to a second position having a larger width in the perpendicular direction to the longitudinal axis;
• and
• at least one cutting element, for cutting a diseased heart valve, disposed on the apparatus, wherein the at least one cutting element is moved from the first position to the second position by the selectively expandable portion;
• positioning the apparatus adjacent the diseased heart valve;
• expanding the selectively expandable position to the second position;
• cutting the diseased heart valve with the at least one cutting element;
• and
• removing the cut diseased heart valve.