Minimally-invasive delivery systems

Apparatus, comprising:

• an implant:
• comprising (i) a frame that defines a central longitudinal lumen, and (ii) prosthetic valve leaflets disposed within the lumen,
• constrainable, by a constraining force, in a compressed state in which the lumen has a compressed internal diameter, and
• having an expanded state into which the implant automatically transitions upon removal of the constraining force, and in which the lumen has an expanded internal diameter;
• and
• a delivery tool, configured for transluminal delivery of the implant, the tool comprising:
• a shaft that extends longitudinally from a proximal part of the tool;
• a nosepiece fixed to the shaft, and arranged with respect to the implant such that the implant extends proximally away from the nosepiece and over the shaft;
• and
• an expandable element, which is coupled to the shaft proximally to the nosepiece and which has:
• a maximally-expanded state in which the expandable element (i) has a widest part that has an expanded external diameter that is smaller than the expanded internal diameter of the lumen of the frame, (ii) has a tapered portion that tapers proximally away from the widest part and from the nosepiece, and (iii) is dimensioned such that, while the implant is in its expanded state, the expandable element is withdrawable by sliding of the expandable element proximally through the lumen of the frame, between the leaflets, and out of the lumen, and
• a non-expanded state in which the widest part has a non-expanded external diameter that is smaller than the expanded external diameter of the expandable element,
• wherein the apparatus has a delivery state in which:
• the implant is in the compressed state,
• the expandable element is in the non-expanded state, and
• a portion of the expandable element is disposed within the lumen of the frame.

Apparatus, comprising:

• an implant:
• comprising (i) a frame that defines a central longitudinal lumen, and (ii) prosthetic valve leaflets disposed within the lumen,
• constrainable, by a constraining force, in a compressed state in which the lumen has a compressed internal diameter, and
• having an expanded state into which the implant automatically transitions upon removal of the constraining force, and in which the lumen has an expanded internal diameter;
• and
• a delivery tool, configured for transluminal delivery of the implant, the tool comprising:
• a shaft that extends longitudinally from a proximal part of the tool;
• a nosepiece fixed to the shaft, and arranged with respect to the implant such that the implant extends proximally away from the nosepiece and over the shaft;
• and
• an expandable element, which is coupled to the shaft proximally to the nosepiece and which has:
• a maximally-expanded state in which the expandable element (i) has a widest part that has an expanded external diameter that is less than 90 percent of the expanded internal diameter of the lumen of the frame, and (ii) has a tapered portion that tapers proximally away from the widest part and from the nosepiece, and
• a non-expanded state in which the widest part has a non-expanded external diameter that is smaller than the expanded external diameter of the expandable element,
• wherein the apparatus has a delivery state in which:
• the implant is in the compressed state,
• the expandable element is in the non-expanded state, and
• a portion of the expandable element is disposed within the lumen.

Apparatus, comprising:

• an implant:
• comprising (i) a frame that defines a central longitudinal lumen, and (ii) a valve member disposed within the lumen,
• constrainable, by a constraining force, in a compressed state in which the lumen has a compressed internal diameter, and
• having an expanded state into which the implant automatically transitions upon removal of the constraining force, and in which the lumen has an expanded internal diameter;
• and
• a delivery tool, configured for transluminal delivery of the implant, the tool comprising:
• a shaft that extends longitudinally from a proximal part of the tool;
• a nosepiece fixed to the shaft, and arranged with respect to the implant such that the implant extends proximally away from the nosepiece and over the shaft;
• and
• an expandable element, which is coupled to the shaft proximally to the nosepiece and which has:
• a maximally-expanded state in which the expandable element (i) has a widest part that has an expanded external diameter that is smaller than the expanded internal diameter of the lumen of the frame and can fit through the valve member, (ii) has a tapered portion that tapers proximally away from the widest part and from the nosepiece, and
• a non-expanded state in which the widest part has a non-expanded external diameter that is smaller than the expanded external diameter, and
• wherein the apparatus has a delivery state in which:
• the implant is in the compressed state,
• the expandable element is in the non-expanded state, and
• a portion of the expandable element is disposed within the lumen.