Delivery and implantation of the prosthesis is accomplished through three basic steps:
The catheter positions the sheathed prosthesis above the diseased native valve. The positioning feelers are released by partially retracting the sheath of the catheter, which allows the physician to locate the feelers in the sinus region at the base of the cusps, the "landing zone" between the diseased leaflets and the aortic wall. Under beating heart conditions, repositioning or retrieving is possible.
Once the feelers are determined to be in the proper position, the prosthesis will be partially released at its proximal end. The Nitinol stent will self-expand to securely anchor in the native annulus and the new valve will immediately begin to function.
The prosthesis, still connected to the delivery system at the distal end, is then completely separated from the catheter. The JenaClip™ mechanism clips the stent on the diseased native leaflets and the prosthesis attaches firmly to the aortic wall. The delivery system can then be safely retracted.
