Apparatus and method for heart valve repair
First Claim
1. A method of repairing a heart valve leaflet in a patient, the method comprising:
- positioning a jaw mechanism adjacent the heart valve leaflet, the jaw mechanism including a first jaw, a second jaw, and a rivet mounted to the first jaw in a stored position, the rivet having a sharp free end;
moving the jaw mechanism to an open position to create a receiving space between the first jaw and the second jaw;
moving the rivet from the stored position to an application position in which the sharp free end of the rivet projects away from the first jaw toward the second jaw;
capturing the heart valve leaflet in the receiving space;
moving the jaw mechanism to a closed position in which the second jaw confronts the first jaw, whereby the sharp free end of the rivet pierces the heart valve leaflet at a first location and the heart valve leaflet is clamped between the first jaw and the second jaw;
rotating the jaw mechanism so that the heart valve leaflet winds around the jaw mechanism;
piercing the sharp free end of the rivet through the heart valve leaflet at a second location different from the first location; and
releasing the rivet from the first jaw.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device 10 for repairing mitral valve leaflets 2, 3 includes a jaw mechanism 15 that may be positioned adjacent a mitral valve leaflet 2, 3. The jaw mechanism 15 may move between an open position and a closed position by pivoting a first jaw relative 16 to a second jaw 18. The first jaw 16 may include a rivet 28 that may move from a stored position to an application position projecting away from the first jaw 16 when the jaw mechanism 15 is moved from the closed to the open position. Closing the jaws 16, 18 about a valve leaflet 2, 3 causes the rivet 28 to pierce the leaflet. The jaw mechanism 15 may then be rotated to wind the leaflet 2, 3 thereabout and again pierce the leaflet. The rivet 28 may then be released from the jaw mechanism 25 and the device 10 removed from the patient.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of repairing a heart valve leaflet in a patient, the method comprising:
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positioning a jaw mechanism adjacent the heart valve leaflet, the jaw mechanism including a first jaw, a second jaw, and a rivet mounted to the first jaw in a stored position, the rivet having a sharp free end; moving the jaw mechanism to an open position to create a receiving space between the first jaw and the second jaw; moving the rivet from the stored position to an application position in which the sharp free end of the rivet projects away from the first jaw toward the second jaw; capturing the heart valve leaflet in the receiving space; moving the jaw mechanism to a closed position in which the second jaw confronts the first jaw, whereby the sharp free end of the rivet pierces the heart valve leaflet at a first location and the heart valve leaflet is clamped between the first jaw and the second jaw; rotating the jaw mechanism so that the heart valve leaflet winds around the jaw mechanism; piercing the sharp free end of the rivet through the heart valve leaflet at a second location different from the first location; and releasing the rivet from the first jaw. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification