Post-implantation tensioning in cardiac implants

• US 10,682,229 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2018
• Issued: 06/16/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 4Tech Inc.
• Original Assignee: 4Tech Inc.
• Inventors: Guidotti, Andrea, Tobis, Idan, Lynn, Kevin, Moran, Chris, Gilmore, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Templeton, Christopher L
• Application Number:
  US15/891,664
• Publication Number:
  US 20180221148A1
• Time in Patent Office: 859 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00783 Valvuloplasty
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0441 the shaft being a rigid coil or spiral
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0464 for soft tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0488 Instruments for applying suture clamps, clips or locks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2427 Devices for manipulating or deploying heart valves during implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2442 Annuloplasty rings or inserts for correcting the valve shape; Implants for improving the function of a native heart valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2451 Inserts in the coronary sinus for correcting the valve shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2463 Implants forming part of the valve leaflets
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2466 Delivery devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2487 Devices within the heart chamber, e.g. splints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/915 with bands having a meander structure, adjacent bands being connected to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30477 using sharp protrusions, e.g. spikes, for anchoring into connecting prosthetic part

Abstract

A method of treating a heart of a patient is provided. The method includes implanting a first tissue anchor in cardiac tissue of the patient and a second tissue anchor in the patient, such that the first and the second tissue anchors are coupled together by one or more tethers. Thereafter, after allowing at least 24 hours for tissue growth on the first tissue anchor to strengthen anchoring of the first tissue anchor in the cardiac tissue, tension is applied between the first and the second tissue anchors using at least a longitudinal portion of the one or more tethers. Other embodiments are also described.

Claims

1. A method of treating a heart of a patient, comprising:

implanting a first tissue anchor in cardiac tissue of the patient and a second tissue anchor in the patient, such that the first and the second tissue anchors are coupled together by one or more first tethers; and

thereafter, after allowing at least 24 hours for tissue growth on the first tissue anchor to strengthen anchoring of the first tissue anchor in the cardiac tissue;

coupling a second tether to a coupling site along the one or more first tethers; and

applying tension between the first and the second tissue anchors using at least a longitudinal portion of the one or more first tethers and the second tether,

wherein applying the tension comprises coupling the second tether to the second tissue anchor.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more first tethers are slack before applying the tension.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein coupling the second tether to the coupling site comprises coupling, to the coupling site, a coupling-site coupler that is attached to the second tether.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the coupling-site coupler comprises a hook.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second tissue anchor comprises a stent that comprises a plurality of struts, and wherein coupling the second tether to the second tissue anchor comprises coupling, to one or more of the struts, a second-tissue-anchor element that is attached to the second tether.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the second-tissue-anchor coupler comprises a hook.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the second-tissue-anchor coupler is shaped so as to define an opening.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the struts is oriented axially as a backbone, and wherein coupling the second-tissue-anchor coupler to the one or more of the struts comprises coupling the second-tissue-anchor coupler to the backbone.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the backbone is shaped so as to define one or more hooks, and wherein coupling the second-tissue-anchor coupler to the backbone comprises coupling the second-tissue-anchor coupler to one or more of the hooks.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein applying the tension comprises applying the tension after allowing at least one week for tissue growth on the first tissue anchor.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein applying the tension comprises applying the tension within two months after implanting the first tissue anchor.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein implanting the first tissue anchor comprises implanting the first tissue anchor in a vicinity of a tricuspid valve of the patient.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein implanting the second tissue anchor comprises implanting the second tissue anchor in a blood vessel selected from the group consisting of:

a superior vena cava (SVC), an inferior vena cava (IVC), and a coronary sinus.