Cardiac valve annulus compressor system

• US 20040260394A1
• Filed: 06/14/2004
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Douk, Nareak, Rafiee, Nasser, Bloom, Eliot
• Application Number:
  US10/867,471
• Publication Number:
  US 20040260394A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/2.36
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2418 Scaffolds therefor, e.g. support stents
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2433 using balloon catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/8483 Barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/9583 Means for holding the stent on the balloon, e.g. using protrusions, adhesives or an outer sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0016 with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0017 Angular shapes

Abstract

A cardiac valve annulus compressor comprises a generally cylindrical main body having plain and barbed ends and an actuator portion. Barbs disposed on the barbed end are engageable with the valve annulus. The length of the circumference of the barbed end is responsive to movement of the actuator portion. The annulus compressor can be delivered percutaneously or surgically. A cardiac valve annulus compressor system and methods of use are also taught.

Claims

1. A cardiac valve annulus compressor system comprising:

a catheter having a lumen;

at least one balloon operably attached to a distal end of the catheter, the balloon being in fluid communication with the lumen; and

an annulus compressor disposed about the at least one balloon.

2. The annulus compressor system of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one balloon comprises a proximal balloon and a distal balloon;

the annulus compressor includes a plain end and a barbed end;

the plain end is disposed on the proximal balloon; and

the barbed end is disposed on the distal balloon.

3. The annulus compressor system of claim 1, further comprising a guide balloon disposed on the catheter.

4. The annulus compressor system of claim 1, wherein the annulus compressor comprises:

a main body, the main body including a plain end and a barbed end;

an actuator portion, the actuator portion operably attached to the main body; and

barbs disposed on the barbed end, the barbs being engageable with a valve annulus;

wherein the length of the circumference of the barbed end is responsive to movement of the actuator portion.

5. An annulus compressor for compressing a valve annulus comprising:

a generally cylindrical main body, the main body having a plain end and a barbed end;

an actuator portion, the actuator portion operably attached to the main body; and

barbs disposed on the barbed end, the barbs being engageable with the valve annulus;

wherein the length of the circumference of the barbed end is responsive to movement of the actuator portion.

6. The annulus compressor of claim 5, wherein the circumference of the barbed end is smaller than the circumference of the plain end when the annulus compressor is in a deployed configuration.

7. The annulus compressor of claim 5, wherein:

the plain end comprises a plurality of plain apexes;

the barbed end comprises a plurality of barbed apexes;

main struts connect the plurality of plain apexes and the plurality of barbed apexes;

pivot struts connect the main struts near the barbed end; and

the actuator portion comprises the plain end.

8. The annulus compressor of claim 7, further comprising limit struts connecting the main struts near the plain end.

9. The annulus compressor of claim 7, wherein the direction of the barbs relative to a central axis of the annulus compressor is selected from the group consisting of parallel to the central axis, radially inward toward the central axis, and radially outward away from the central axis.

10. The annulus compressor of claim 5, wherein:

the plain end comprises a plurality of plain apexes;

the barbed end comprises a plurality of barbed apexes;

main struts connect the plurality of plain apexes and the plurality of barbed apexes; and

further comprising;

a first cord, the first cord comprising a first ring portion and a first interlocking portion;

a second cord comprising a second ring portion and a second interlocking portion;

the first ring portion and the second ring portion pass through openings in the barbs; and

the actuator portion comprises the first interlocking portion and the second interlocking portion.

11. The annulus compressor of claim 10, wherein the first ring portion and the second ring portion have ratchet teeth to engage the opening, so that the circumference of the barbed end cannot expand.

12. The annulus compressor of claim 10, further comprising limit struts connecting the main struts near the plain end.

13. An annulus compressor system comprising:

means for compressing a valve annulus having a barbed end;

means for implanting the barbed end at the valve annulus; and

means for reducing the circumference of the barbed end.

14. The system of claim 13 further comprising means for delivering the annulus compressor to the valve annulus.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein:

the valve annulus compressing means has a plain end; and

the means to reduce the circumference of the barbed end comprises expanding the plain end.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein:

the valve annulus compressing means has a first cord having a first interlocking portion and a second cord having a second interlocking portion; and

the first cord and the second cord are slidably disposed in the barbed end.

17. The system of claim 16 further comprising means for locking the first cord and the second cord in position.

18. The system of claim 13 further comprising means for locating the annulus compressor at the valve annulus.

19. The system of claim 13 further comprising means for monitoring remodeling effectiveness.

20. A method for compressing a valve annulus comprising:

providing an annulus compressor having a barbed end and an actuator portion;

implanting the barbed end at the valve annulus; and

moving the actuator portion to reduce the circumference of the barbed end.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising delivering the annulus compressor to the valve annulus by the method selected from the group consisting of percutaneous delivery and surgical delivery.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein:

the annulus compressor has a plain end; and

moving the actuator portion to reduce the circumference of the barbed end comprises expanding the plain end.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein:

the annulus compressor has a first cord having a first interlocking portion and a second cord comprising a second interlocking portion;

the first cord and the second cord are slidably disposed in the barbed end; and

moving the actuator portion to reduce the circumference of the barbed end comprises expanding an area between the first interlocking portion and the second interlocking portion.

24. The method of claim 20 further comprising locating the annulus compressor at the valve annulus.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein locating the annulus compressor at the valve annulus comprises locating the annulus compressor at the valve annulus using a guide balloon.

26. The method of claim 20 further comprising monitoring remodeling effectiveness while moving the actuator portion to reduce the circumference of the barbed end.