Mechanically expandable prosthetic heart valve and delivery apparatus

A method of implanting a prosthetic heart valve, comprising:

• inserting the prosthetic valve and a distal end portion of a delivery apparatus into a patient's vasculature, wherein the prosthetic heart valve is in a radially compressed state;
• positioning the prosthetic valve adjacent to a native valve of the patient's heart;
• and
• applying a proximally directed force to a first end of a first cord to cause the prosthetic valve to expand from the radially compressed state to a radially expanded state,
• wherein the first cord is operatively connected to the prosthetic valve such that the proximally directed force is transmitted to the prosthetic valve with a mechanical advantage greater than 1.

A radially expandable prosthetic valve, comprising:

• an annular frame comprising an inflow end and an outflow end and being radially collapsible and expandable between a radially compressed configuration and a radially expanded configuration;
• at least one expansion mechanism comprising a first member and a second member, wherein relative movement of the first member relative to the second member causes the frame to radially expand or compress;
• a cord member;
• and
• a biasing member configured to exert a biasing force against the first member in a first direction, thereby cause the first member to move relative to the second member in the first direction.