Replacement mitral valve

• US 20040210303A1
• Filed: 04/18/2003
• Published: 10/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyra L. Sedransk
• Original Assignee: Kyra L. Sedransk
• Inventors: Sedransk, Kyra L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,945,996 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/2.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2403 with pivoting rigid closure members check valves with hinged closure members in general F16K15/03
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2457 Chordae tendineae prostheses

Abstract

A sewing ring (12) has a diameter commensurate with a diameter of a removed mitral valve. Skirts (44, 46) of mesh or net material extend downward from the sewing ring and line the walls of an associated vessel (58). Basal chordae simulating structures (34, 36) in the form of elongated strips of mesh or netting, rods, or the like extend from the skirt to an underside of each of two valve leaflets (14, 16). Marginal chordae simulating structures (30, 32) extend between each leaflet and the basal chordae simulating structure. The sewing ring (12) is stitched to an open end of a vessel and inner ends of the basal chordae simulating structure are stitched or stapled (50, 52) to associated papillary musculature (54, 56). In this manner, the papillary muscles assist in controlling the timing and control of the mitral valve.

Claims

1. A replacement cardiac valve comprising:

an annular sewing ring;

first and second leaflets mounted coplanar inside the sewing ring to define a valve which is planar in a closed position;

a plurality of elongated structures connected with an underside of each leaflet at a plurality of distributed points between an opening edge away from the sewing ring and the sewing ring, the elongated structures having an attachment region adapted to be attached to a papillary muscle to enable the papillary muscle to flex the leaflets open.

3. A replacement cardiac valve comprising:

an annular sewing ring;

leaflets closing a region inside the sewing ring to define a valve;

a plurality of elongated structures extending from an underside of each leaflet away from the sewing ring and having an attachment region adapted to be attached to a papillary muscle, the elongated structures being made of at least one of;

mesh,

netting,

rods,

strings, and

fibers

2. The valve as set forth in claim 3 wherein the plurality of elongated structures include:

a first elongated structure extending between the underside of each leaflet and the attachment region; and

a second elongated structure extending from the underside of each leaflet and connecting with the first elongated structure.

4. The valve as set forth in claim 2 wherein the second elongated structures are connected to the leaflets along an arc adjacent an inner edge of each leaflet at which the leaflets meet.

5. The valve as set forth in claim 4 wherein the first elongated structures are connected to each leaflet in an arc between the inner elongated structure and the sewing ring.

6. A replacement cardiac valve including:

an annular sewing ring;

first and second leaflets closing a region inside the sewing ring to define a valve;

a first elongated structure extending from an underside of each leaflet away from the sewing ring and having an attachment region adapted to be attached to a papillary muscle;

a second elongated structure extending from the underside of each leaflet and connecting with the first elongated structure; and

a pair of semi-cylindrical mesh curtains extending downward from the sewing ring.

7. The valve as set forth in claim 6 wherein the first elongated structures are connected with the mesh curtains.

8. A replacement cardiac valve including:

an annular sewing ring;

first and second leaflets closing a region inside the sewing ring to define a valve;

a first elongated structure extending from an underside of each leaflet away from the sewing ring and having an attachment region adapted to be attached to a papillary muscle;

a mesh structure extending downward from the sewing ring.

9. The valve as set forth in claim 8 wherein the first elongated structure is connected to the mesh structure.

10. The valve as set forth in claim 9 further including:

a second elongated structure connected between the first elongated structure at a point mid-way between the leaflet and the connection of the first elongated structure with the mesh structure, the second elongated structure further being connected with a corresponding leaflet adjacent an inner edge of the leaflet where the leaflets meet in a closed configuration.

11. A mitral valve comprising:

an annular sewing ring which defines an opening;

a cylindrical mesh construction extending downward from the sewing ring;

a pair of leaflets defining a valve structure connected across the opening of the sewing ring;

a synthetic basal chordae means connected between an outer portion of each leaflet and the cylindrical mesh construction;

a synthetic marginal chordae means connected between each leaflet adjacent an inner edge of each leaflet where the leaflets meet and the synthetic basal chordae means.

12. The mitral valve as set forth in claim 11 wherein the cylindrical mesh construction includes a pair of semi-cylindrical sections.

13. The mitral valve as set forth in claim 11 wherein the synthetic basal and marginal chordae means include one of:

mesh,

netting,

rods,

strings,

fibers, and

biocompatible chords.

14. A method of installing a replacement heart valve which includes a sewing ring, valve leaflets, an anchoring skirt attached to the sewing ring, and a plurality of structures which mimic basal and marginal chordae connected between the leaflets and the skirt, the method comprising:

rolling or folding each skirt portion up toward the sewing ring;

positioning the sewing ring in a surrounding tubular vessel structure where the replacement mitral valve is to be installed;

sewing the sewing ring into the surrounding vessel structure;

opening the leaflets;

with the leaflets open, unrolling or unfolding the skirt along with the chordae mimicking structures;

with the leaflets still open, attaching the chordae mimicking structures and the surrounding skirt to papillary musculature.