Kit for the manipulation of implantable medical devices

Abstract

A kit for facilitating crimping of a prosthetic heart valve for implantation at an aortic valve site in a human heart, the aortic valve site including a plurality of valve sinuses, the kit comprising a prosthetic aortic heart valve having a tubular structure and a first central axis including an anchoring structure comprising an annular outflow member, an annular inflow member, and a plurality of axial connection formations arranged in pairs angularly distributed around the central axis, and a plurality of leaflets coupled to the anchoring structure and adapted to substantially allow blood flow in a first direction and to substantially prevent blood flow in a second direction. The kit further includes a holder member comprising a first disc support member that includes a central hub and a plurality of bridge elements, wherein the hub and the bridge elements extend axially from opposite sides of the disc support member; and a second ring support member that includes receptacles for coupling with the bridge elements, and a plurality of finger formations protruding axially from the ring member and extending lengthwise along at least a portion of the prosthetic aortic heart valve.