Cardiac valve procedure methods and devices

• US 20050015112A1
• Filed: 11/13/2003
• Published: 01/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Moore, Robert Kevin, Cohn, William E., Lambrecht, Gregory H., Liddicoat, John R., Davenport, Todd F., Streeter, Richard B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,749,245 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/200
• 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 2/2427 Devices for manipulating or deploying heart valves during implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0016 with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0059 temporary

Abstract

Devices and methods for performing intravascular procedures without cardiac bypass include embodiments of temporary filter devices, temporary valves, and prosthetic valves. The temporary filter devices have a cannula which provides access for surgical tools for effecting repair of cardiac valves. The cannula may have filters which prevent embolitic material from entering the coronary arteries and aorta. The valve devices may also have a cannula for insertion of the valve into the aorta. The valve devices expand in the aorta to occupy the entire flow path of the vessel and operate to prevent blood flow and to permit flow through the valve. The prosthetic valves include valve fixation devices which secure the prosthetic valve to the wall of the vessel. The prosthetic valves are introduced into the vascular system in a compressed state, advanced to the site of implantation, and expanded and secured to the vessel wall.

Claims

1. A method for enabling performance of an operation on a cardiac valve of a heart while the heart is beating, the method comprising placing a valved filter device in a flow path of a blood vessel downstream from the cardiac valve, the device being operative to effect greater antegrade flow than retrograde flow through said the vessel, and being operative to restrict the passage of emboli while allowing blood to flow through the vessel.

2. A method for performing an operation on a cardiac valve of a heart while the heart is beating, the method comprising the steps of:

a) positioning a valved filter device in a flow path of a blood vessel downstream from the cardiac valve, the device being operative to effect greater antegrade flow than retrograde flow through the vessel;

b) resecting at least a portion of the cardiac valve; and

c) affixing at least one prosthetic valve at or downstream from the resected cardiac valve.

3. A method for enabling performance of an operation on a cardiac valve of a heart while the heart is beating, the method comprising placing a valved filter device in a flow path of a blood vessel of the cardiac valve, the device being operative to effect greater antegrade flow than retrograde flow through the vessel, and being operative to restrict the passage of emboli while allowing blood to flow through the vessel.

4. A method for performing an operation on a cardiac valve of a heart while the heart is beating, the method comprising the steps of:

a) positioning a valved filter device in a flow path of a blood vessel downstream from the cardiac valve, the device being operative to effect greater antegrade flow than retrograde flow through the vessel;

b) resecting or disrupting at least a portion of the cardiac valve; and

c) affixing at least one prosthetic valve at, upstream or downstream from the resected cardiac valve.

5. A device for performing intravascular procedures wherein the device is adapted for placement in a flowpath of a blood vessel, the device comprising:

a) a valve means operative to allow greater antegrade flow than retrograde flow through the vessel; and

b) a filter operative to restrict passage of emboli while allowing blood flow through the vessel.

6. A device for performing intravascular or intracardiac procedures wherein the device is adapted for placement in the flowpath of blood, the device comprising:

a valve means operative to allow greater antegrade flow than retrograde flow; and

a filter operative to restrict passage of emboli while permitting blood flow therethrough.

7. A device for performing intravascular or intracardiac procedures wherein the device is adapted for placement in a flowpath of a blood vessel, the device comprising:

a) a valve means operative to allow greater antegrade flow than retrograde flow through the vessel; and

b) a filter operative to restrict passage of emboli while allowing blood flow through the vessel.

8. A valved filter device for use in repair and replacement of cardiac valves, the device comprising:

an elongated tube of filter material, said tube being closed at a distal end thereof and open at a proximal end thereof; and

a membrane tethered to the open end of said tube at spaced apart fixation points, the membrane being expandable under diastolic pressure to form a generally parabolic cone substantially blocking flow of blood therethrough, and compressible under systolic pressure to form a substantially non-flow blocking configuration to permit flow of blood therethrough.

9. The valved filter device in accordance with claim 8 and further comprising a catheter extending through a central portion of said tube, an apex portion of the membrane being tethered to said catheter.

10. The valved filter device in accordance with claim 8 and further comprising a valve seating retaining ring fixed on the proximal end of said tube and having the membrane fixation points thereon.

11. The valved filter device in accordance with claim 9 and further comprising skeletal members supporting said tube, said skeletal members including radial struts operative to retain said catheter in the tube central portion and collapsible so as to render the device circumferentially compressible.