Tissue fastening systems and methods utilizing magnetic guidance

• US 20050119735A1
• Filed: 09/24/2004
• Published: 06/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mitralign, Inc. (Edwards Lifesciences Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitralign, Inc. (Edwards Lifesciences Corporation)
• Inventors: Spence, Paul A., McNamara, Ed, Gore, Brian
• Application Number:
  US10/949,412
• Publication Number:
  US 20050119735A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/2.360
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0482 Needle or suture guides guides for drills, pins or wire A61B17/17; for puncturing needles A61B17/3403
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0487 Suture clamps, clips or locks, e.g. for replacing suture knots; Instruments for applying or removing suture clamps, clips or locks suture anchors A61B17/0401; wound clamps or clips A61B17/08; ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00349 Needle-like instruments having hook or barb-like gripping means, e.g. for grasping suture or tissue A61B17/06066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00783 Valvuloplasty
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00862 elastic or resilient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00876 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0406 Pledgets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 Instruments for applying suture anchors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0414 having a suture-receiving opening, e.g. lateral opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0419 H-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0454 the anchor being crimped or clamped on the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0462 One way system, i.e. also tensioning the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0464 for soft tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0472 Multiple-needled, e.g. double-needled, instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 : for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0641 : having at least three legs as part of one single body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0647 : having one single leg, e.g. tacks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0649 : Coils or spirals
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2445 : Annuloplasty rings in direct contact with the valve annulus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2451 : Inserts in the coronary sinus for correcting the valve shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2466 : Delivery devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30079 : magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/009 : magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0016 : with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0075 : sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable

Abstract

Catheter based systems and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems and methods employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.

Claims

1. A catheter system for modifying an annulus of a heart valve to reduce regurgitation of blood flow through the valve, comprising:

a catheter having at least one lumen,

first and second fasteners coupled together by a flexible tensile member such that said first fastener is movable along the flexible tensile member relative to said second fastener,

a first fastener delivery portion coupled with said catheter and capable of delivering said first fastener into a first position proximate the annulus, and

a second fastener delivery portion coupled with said catheter and movable with respect to said first fastener delivery portion, said second fastener delivery portion capable of delivering said second fastener into a second position proximate the annulus and spaced from the first position.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a third fastener coupled to said flexible tensile member,

a third fastener delivery portion coupled with said catheter and capable of delivering said third fastener into a third position proximate the annulus and spaced from the first and second positions.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

first and second fastener drive members coupled respectively with said first and second fastener delivery portions, said first and second fastener drive members being selectively movable to drive said first and second fasteners into the tissue proximate the annulus.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said catheter includes a distal end and said fastener delivery portions further comprise at least one spring and drive member each located at said distal end and operative to force said first and second fasteners into tissue proximate the annulus.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said catheter includes a distal end and a magnet at said distal end for coupling with another magnet located proximate the annulus thereby stabilizing said catheter during delivery of said first and second fasteners.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a lock member securable to said flexible tensile member and capable of being selectively locked to said flexible tensile member to prevent relative movement between said first and second fasteners.