Devices and systems for docking a heart valve

A docking station for a medical device, the docking station comprising:

• an expandable frame extending axially from a proximal end to a distal end and having a waist portion defining a seat;
• a cover secured to the expandable frame and covering at least the waist portion of the expandable frame, the cover including:
• a proximal cover portion having an inner axial end disposed at the central waist portion of the expandable frame, and an outer axial end extending toward the proximal end of the expandable frame;
• a distal cover portion having an inner axial end disposed at the central waist portion of the expandable frame, and an outer axial end extending toward the distal end of the expandable frame, wherein the inner axial ends of the proximal and distal cover portions include axially inward extending flaps that overlap to define a plurality of pockets between the proximal cover portion and the distal cover portion;
• and
• a plurality of radiopaque markers, each disposed in a corresponding one of the plurality of pockets.

A docking station for a medical device, the docking station comprising:

• an expandable frame including a waist portion defining a seat for retaining an expandable medical device;
• a cover secured to the expandable frame and covering at least the waist portion of the expandable frame, the cover including a circumferential band extending around the waist portion of the expandable frame to restrict expansion of the waist portion to a first diameter;
• and
• wherein the circumferential band includes a plurality of frangible portions disposed between a plurality of reinforced portions, such that when an expansion tool is inserted into the waist portion of the expandable frame and expanded to a size larger than the first diameter, the plurality of frangible portions of the circumferential band break without breakage of the reinforced portions to expand the waist portion to a second diameter larger than the first diameter.