Heart valve repair apparatus and methods

• US 20040088047A1
• Filed: 10/28/2003
• Published: 05/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Lead Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Paul A. Spence
• Inventors: Ortiz, Mark, Spence, Paul A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,166,126 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/2.36
• 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 2/2418 Scaffolds therefor, e.g. support stents
• 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 2/2454 Means for preventing inversion of the valve leaflets, e.g. chordae tendineae prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2457 Chordae tendineae prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2466 Delivery devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0091 connected by a hinged linkage mechanism, e.g. of the single-bar or multi-bar linkage type

Abstract

Valve repair apparatus and methods for ensuring proper coaptation and operation of the leaflets of a heart valve. Main aspects of the disclosure relate to devices including a support member configured for attachment to the heart valve annulus, a post extending from the support member away from the plane of the annulus and a connector coupled with the post and configured for attachment to at least one of the leaflets. The various embodiments may include a replacement heart valve connected with the support member for facilitating full replacement as opposed to near repair of an existing native heart valve. Various other devices include support structure and one or more posts connected to opposite sides of the support structure and extending from one side of the valve annulus to another to modify the shape of the annulus.

Claims

1. A device for supporting a heart valve in a patient, said heart valve having an annulus and said device comprising a ring configured for fixation to the annulus and being asymmetric about two perpendicular planes.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said ring lies in a first plane and first and second halves disposed on either side of a second, central plane lying perpendicular to said first plane, wherein said first half has a narrower width dimension than said second half.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said ring includes at least first and second portions lying in different planes.

4. A device for supporting a heart valve in a patient, said heart valve having an annulus and said device comprising a ring configured for fixation to the annulus and having at least first and second portions lying in different planes.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein one segment of said ring is angled out of the plane containing another segment of said ring.

6. A device for supporting a heart valve in a patient, comprising:

a ring lying in a first plane, said ring including first and second halves positioned on either side of a second plane intersecting said first plane, wherein said first half has a narrower width than said second half at the respective midpoints of said first and second halves.