Biologically implantable prosthesis and methods of using the same

• US 20050240263A1
• Filed: 03/14/2005
• Published: 10/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Drews, Michael J., Modesitt, D. Bruce, Holmgren, Neil, Fogarty, Thomas J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,981,153 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/2.380
• 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 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0406 Pledgets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0608 J-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2409 Support rings therefor, e.g. for connecting valves to tissue annuloplasty rings A61F2/2442
• 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 2/2415 Manufacturing methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2445 Annuloplasty rings in direct contact with the valve annulus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30545 for adjusting a diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0016 with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0041 using additional screws, bolts, dowels or rivets, e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0066 stapled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0075 sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/001 for adjusting a diameter
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/91 Heart

Abstract

A heart valve assembly includes a first annular prosthesis for implantation within a tissue annulus, a second valve prosthesis, and a plurality of magnets on the first and second prostheses to secure the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis. In one embodiment, the magnets are arranged to allow the second prosthesis to be secured to the first prosthesis in a predetermined angular orientation. During use, the first annular prosthesis is implanted into the annulus, and the second valve prosthesis is inserted into the annulus. The magnets orient the second prosthesis relative to the first prosthesis to align the second prosthesis with the first prosthesis in a predetermined angular orientation; and secure the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis in the predetermined angular orientation.

Claims

1. A heart valve assembly, comprising:

a first annular prosthesis for implantation within a tissue annulus;

a second valve prosthesis; and

a plurality of magnets on the first and second prostheses for securing the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis.

2. The heart valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of magnets are arranged to allow the second prosthesis to be secured to the first prosthesis in a predetermined angular orientation.

3. The heart valve assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second prostheses comprises a plurality of magnets distributed about circumferences of the first and second prostheses.

4. The heart valve assembly of claim 3, wherein a polarity of at least one magnet on each of the first and second prostheses is reversed to allow the second prosthesis to be secured to the first prosthesis in a predetermined angular orientation.

5. The heart valve assembly of claim 3, wherein one or an irregular number of magnets on each of the first and second prostheses are reversed compared with remaining magnets on the first and second prostheses to allow the second prosthesis to be secured to the first prosthesis in a predetermined angular orientation.

6. The heart valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the first prosthesis comprises a plurality of receiving elements, the heart valve assembly further comprising a plurality of fixturing devices receivable through the receiving elements for securing the first prosthesis to tissue surrounding an annulus within which the first prosthesis is to be secured.

7. The heart valve assembly of claim 6, wherein the fixturing devices comprise at least one of clips, sutures, staples, and pins.

8. The heart valve assembly of claim 1, further comprising fabric covering the first prosthesis.

9. The heart valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the second prosthesis comprises a plurality of leaflets.

10. The heart valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the second prosthesis comprises three lobes.

11. A heart valve assembly, comprising:

a first annular prosthesis for implantation within a tissue annulus;

a plurality of bottom magnets disposed about a circumference of the first prosthesis;

a second valve prosthesis; and

a plurality of top magnets disposed about a circumference of the second prosthesis that cooperate with the bottom magnets to secure the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis.

12. The heart valve assembly of claim 11, wherein the plurality of bottom magnets and the plurality of top magnets are arranged to allow the second prosthesis to be secured to the first prosthesis in a predetermined angular orientation.

13. The heart valve assembly of claim 11, wherein a polarity of at least of the bottom magnets and at least one of the top magnets is reversed to allow the second prosthesis to be secured to the first prosthesis in a predetermined angular orientation.

14. The heart valve assembly of claim 11, wherein one or an irregular number of the bottom and top magnets are reversed compared with remaining bottom and top magnets to allow the second prosthesis to be secured to the first prosthesis in one angular orientation.

15. The heart valve assembly of claim 11, wherein the first prosthesis comprises a plurality of receiving elements, the heart valve assembly further comprising a plurality of fixturing devices receivable through the receiving elements for securing the first prosthesis to tissue surrounding an annulus within which the first prosthesis is to be secured.

16. The heart valve assembly of claim 11, further comprising fabric covering the first prosthesis.

17. The heart valve assembly of claim 11, wherein the second prosthesis comprises three lobes.

18. A method for implanting a heart valve prosthesis into a tissue annulus, comprising:

implanting a first annular prosthesis into the annulus;

inserting a second valve prosthesis into the annulus; and

securely engaging the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis using a plurality of magnets on the first and second prostheses.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the second prosthesis is secured to the first prosthesis by:

orienting the second prosthesis relative to the first prosthesis to align the second prosthesis with the first prosthesis in a predetermined angular orientation; and

directing the second prosthesis into engagement with the first prosthesis to secure the second prosthesis in the predetermined angular orientation.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first prosthesis comprises a plurality of bottom magnets and the second prosthesis comprises a plurality of top magnets, a polarity of at least one of the bottom and top magnets being reversed such that the second prosthesis is oriented in the predetermined angular orientation by the bottom and top magnets as the second prosthesis is directed into engagement with the first prosthesis.