Annuloplasty rings and methods for repairing cardiac valves

• US 20050004668A1
• Filed: 07/02/2004
• Published: 01/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flexcor Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Flexcor Incorporated
• Inventors: Reo, Michael, Aklog, Lishan
• Granted Patent: US 8,052,751 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/2.360
• 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

Abstract

Implantable devices and methods for the repair of a defective cardiac valve are provided. The implantable devices include an annuloplasty ring and a restraining and/or a remodeling structure or mechanism. The annuloplasty ring functions to reestablish the normal size and shape of the annulus bringing the leaflet in proximity to each other. A device having a remodeling structure further facilitates remodeling of the valve but allows the use of a flexible ring. The restraining structure functions to restrain the abnormal motion of at least a portion of the valve being repaired. The restraining and remodeling structures may include at least one strut across the interior of the circumference of the ring.

Claims

1. An implantable device for repairing a cardiac valve having an annulus, two or more leaflets and a subvalvular apparatus, comprising:

a ring configured for placement at the valve annulus; and

at least one strut extending over at least a portion of the interior area of said ring.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said at least one strut is configured to restrain the abnormal motion of at least a portion of at least one valve leaflet.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said at least one strut is configured to contact a portion of at least one valve leaflet

4. The device of claim 2 wherein said contact portion of said leaflet is a prolapsing segment.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein ring is flexible and said at least one strut flexes said ring wherein the valve annulus is remodeled.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said at least one strut is inelastic.

7. The device of claim 2 wherein at least one strut is configured to restrain the abnormal motion of at least a portion of at least one valve leaflet and at least one strut is configured to remodel the valve annulus.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the at least two restraining members vary in rigidity or elasticity.

9. The device of claim 2 wherein said at least one strut extends from one portion of the ring to another portion of the ring.

10. The device of claim 2 wherein the device comprises at least two struts.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein a primary strut extends between a portion of the ring to another portion of the ring.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein a secondary strut extends between the primary strut and the ring.

13. The device of claim 11 further comprising a plurality of secondary struts extending between said primary strut and said ring.

14. The device of claim 11 wherein said at least two struts are substantially parallel to each other.

15. The device of claim 11 wherein said at least two struts are not parallel to each other.

16. The device of claim 1 wherein said ring has a closed or complete ring configuration.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein said ring has a D-shaped configuration.

18. The device of claim 16 wherein said ring has a circular configuration.

19. The device of claim 1 wherein said ring has an open configuration.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein said ring has a C-shaped configuration.

21. The device of claim 19 wherein said ring has a saddle-shaped configuration.

22. The device of claim 1 wherein said ring is configured for attachment to the valve annulus.

23. The device of claim 1 wherein said ring is configured for placement within the coronary sinus adjacent the valve annulus.

24. A method for repairing a defective cardiac valve having a valve annulus and at least one valve leaflet, comprising the steps of:

accessing the defective cardiac valve;

providing a device comprising a ring configured for placement at the valve annulus, and at least one strut extending over at least a portion of the interior area of said ring; and

implanting said device adjacent the defective cardiac valve wherein the defective valve is repaired.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein said at least one strut operatively restrains at least a portion of one valve leaflet from prolapsing during systole.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein said restraining structure operatively restrains at least a portion of two or more valve leaflets from prolapsing during systole.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein said device operatively remodels the valve annulus.

28. The method of claim 24 wherein said cardiac valve is the mitral valve and the at least one valve leaflet is the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve.

29. The method of claim 24 wherein said cardiac valve is the mitral valve and the at least one leaflet is the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve.

30. The method of claim 24 wherein said step of implanting said device comprises attaching said ring to the valve annulus.

31. The method of claim 24 wherein said step of implanting said device comprises positioning said ring within the coronary sinus.