Device for supporting a surgical step in a vessel, particularly for removal and implantation of heart valves

• US 20020128702A1
• Filed: 10/09/2001
• Published: 09/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universitätsklinikum Freiburg
• Original Assignee: Universitätsklinikum Freiburg
• Inventors: Menz, Wolfgang, Schoth, Andreas
• Granted Patent: US 7,115,141 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/1.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0641 having at least three legs as part of one single body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22097 Valve removal in veins
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3488 Fixation to inner organ or inner body tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2412 with soft flexible valve members, e.g. tissue valves shaped like natural valves check valves with flexible valve members in general F16K15/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2436 Deployment by retracting a sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/844 folded prior to deployment
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/92 Stents in the form of a rolled-up sheet expanding after insertion into the vessel , e.g. with a spiral shape in cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/8483 Barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0008 Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0016 with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/006 modular

Abstract

What is described here is a device for assisting surgical operations inside a vessel, particularly for the minimally invasive explantation and implantation of cardiac valves, comprising an operating structure adapted to be implanted within the vessel, that is adapted to be fixedly and detachably joined to the inner wall of the vessel, and is provided with at least one connector and/or support structure for a further instrument required for the operation.

Claims

1. Device for assisting surgical operations inside a vessel, particularly for the minimally invasive explantation and implantation of cardiac valves, comprising an operating structure adapted to be implanted within the vessel, that is adapted to be fixedly and detachably joined to the inner wall of the vessel and is provided with at least one connector and/or support structure for a further instrument required for the surgical operation.

2. Device according to claim 1,

characterised in that said operating structure is designed to be unfolded or uncoiled and assumes the shape of a cylinder in the unfolded or uncoiled condition, whose cylinder diameter is smaller than the diameter of the vessel.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2,

characterised in that said operating structure consists of a windable sheet or an extensible mesh.

4. Device according to any of the claims 1 to 3,

characterised in that said operating structure consists of a shape-memory metal.

5. Device according to any of the claims 1 to 4,

characterised in that said operating structure has a surface facing the vessel, on which anchoring elements are provided for being anchored in the surface of the vessel.

6. Device according to claim 5,

characterised in that said anchoring elements are designed in the form of barbs.

7. Device according to claim 5 or 6,

characterised in that said anchoring elements are arranged at an angle α

≠

90°

from the surface of said operating structure such that said operating structure is displaceable in a preferred direction inside the vessel but not in the opposite direction.

8. Device according to any of the claims 2 to 7,

characterised in that said operating structure designed in the form of a cylinder is configured as coiled sheet element presenting two edges extending in parallel with the cylinder axis, and

that a respective lock seam or fold is formed on the edges so that the opposing lock seams will be mutually engaged and contribute to a dimensionally stable cylinder shape of said operating structure.

9. Device according to any of the claims 2 to 8,

characterised in that said operating structure designed in the form of a cylinder has an insides surface on which said connector and/or support structure is provided.

10. Device according to any of the claims 2 to 9,

characterised in that said connector and/or support structure is configured as cut-out in the cylinder wall, as recess or in the form of knops.

11. Device according to any of the claims 1 to 10,

characterised in that said connecting structure is configured as plug-in or bayonet-catch connector for fixing or connecting thereon further surgical instruments or for connecting at least one further operating structure.

12. Device according to any of the claims 1 to 11,

characterised in that in the folded or coiled condition, said operating structure is adapted to be inserted into a sleeve-type or hollow catheter for carrying said operating structure into the vicinity of the vesicular site to be treated.

13. Device according to claim 12,

characterised in that a pusher device of a ram-like design is provided for ejecting said operating structure from said sleeve-type or hollow catheter, which device carries said operating structure out of the catheter into the vessel.