Tricuspid ring and template

• US 20030045929A1
• Filed: 08/28/2001
• Published: 03/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
• Original Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
• Inventors: Schreck, Stefan G., McCarthy, Patrick M., Rhee, Richard S.
• Granted Patent: US 6,749,630 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/2.37
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2445 Annuloplasty rings in direct contact with the valve annulus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2448 D-shaped rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2466 Delivery devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0076 multilayered, e.g. laminated structures

Abstract

An annuloplasty ring having a three-dimensional discontinuous form generally arranged about an axis with two free ends that are axially offset. The ring is particularly suited for repair of the tricuspid valve, and more closely conforms to the annulus shape. The ring is more flexible in bending about radially extending axes than about the central axis. A deliver template having a mounting ring with about the same shape as the ring facilitates implant, and may be releasably attached to a delivery handle. The deliver template may include a plurality of cutting guides for releasably attaching the annuloplasty ring thereto while presenting maximum outer surface area of the ring. The template may have an outwardly-facing groove to receive and retain the ring.

Claims

1. An annuloplasty ring, comprising:

a ring body generally arranged about an axis and being discontinuous so as to define two free ends, wherein the ring body has a relaxed configuration following a three-dimensional path such that the free ends are axially offset.

2. The annuloplasty ring as in claim 1, wherein the distance that the two free ends are axially offset is between about 2-15 mm.

3. The annuloplasty ring as in claim 1, wherein the ring is adapted to reinforce the tricuspid annulus and has a curvilinear anterior side ending in one of the free ends, a curvilinear posterior side ending in the other of the free ends, and a relatively straight septal side extending between the anterior and posterior sides, the posterior side being shorter and having a smaller radius of curvature than the anterior side.

4. The annuloplasty ring as in claim 1, wherein the ring body comprises an inner structural support of multiple bands of elastic material.

5. The annuloplasty ring as in claim 4, further including a low friction material interposed between each two adjacent bands.

6. The annuloplasty ring as in claim 4, wherein the multiple bands are embedded in a matrix of a pliable material.

7. The annuloplasty ring as in claim 6, wherein the pliable material is molded silicone.

8. The annuloplasty ring as in claim 6, wherein there are two concentrically disposed bands embedded in the matrix of pliable material.

9. The annuloplasty ring as in claim 4, wherein each of the multiple bands of elastic material has a relatively wider radial dimension than its axial dimension.

10. The annuloplasty ring as in claim 1, wherein the ring body comprises an inner structural support band surrounded by a pliable matrix, and wherein the matrix includes a tubular inner portion that surrounds the band and an outer flange through which implantation sutures can pass.

11. The annuloplasty ring as in claim 11, wherein the outer flange is curved so as to be convex on its outer surface.

12. The annuloplasty ring as in claim 11, wherein the outer flange is connected to the inner tubular portion with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart radial walls so as to create a celled structure.

13. An annuloplasty ring, comprising:

a ring body generally arranged about a central axis and being discontinuous so as to define two free ends, wherein the ring body has a construction that renders it more flexible in bending about axes that extend radially from the central axis than about the central axis.

14. The annuloplasty ring of claim 13, wherein the ring body comprises an inner structural support of multiple bands of elastic material.

15. The annuloplasty ring as in claim 14, further including a low friction material interposed between each two adjacent bands.

16. The annuloplasty ring as in claim 14, wherein the multiple bands are embedded in a matrix of a pliable material.

17. The annuloplasty ring as in claim 16, wherein the pliable material is silicone.

18. The annuloplasty ring as in claim 16, wherein there are two concentrically disposed bands embedded in the matrix of pliable material.

19. The annuloplasty ring as in claim 14, wherein each of the multiple bands of elastic material has a relatively wider radial dimension than its axial dimension.

20. An annuloplasty ring template, comprising:

a rigid body having a peripheral mounting ring generally arranged about an axis and being discontinuous so as to define two free ends, the mounting ring following a three-dimensional path such that the free ends are axially offset.

21. The annuloplasty ring template of claim 20, wherein the template includes a central platform to which the peripheral mounting ring is connected via a plurality of generally radially extending spokes.

22. The annuloplasty ring template of claim 21, further including a handle-receiving hub extending generally axially from the central platform.

23. The annuloplasty ring template of claim 20, wherein the peripheral mounting ring extends about three-quarters circumferentially about the axis.

24. The annuloplasty ring template of claim 20, wherein the peripheral mounting ring defines a radially outwardly opening groove therein for receiving an annuloplasty ring.

25. The annuloplasty ring template of claim 20, further including a plurality of cutting guides provided on the peripheral mounting ring, wherein a pair of through holes in the mounting ring are provided on either side of each cutting guide such that a length of suture may extend through an annuloplasty ring positioned on the outside of the mounting ring, through one of the holes, over the cutting guide, through the other hole, and back into the annuloplasty ring.

26. The annuloplasty ring template of claim 25, wherein each cutting guide comprises a pair of intersecting slots, one of the slots being shallower than the other and positioned to receive a suture extending between the through holes, the deeper slot providing space into which a sharp instrument may extend to sever the suture at the cutting guide.