Flexible, non-planar annuloplasty rings

• US 20050256569A1
• Filed: 05/10/2005
• Published: 11/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: St Jude Medical Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: St Jude Medical Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Inventors: Lim, Jyue Boon, Sutton, William M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,452,376 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 2250/0029 differing in bending or flexure capacity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0039 differing in diameter

Abstract

An annuloplasty ring (for use as a heart valve prosthesis) has a non-planar shape and different lateral flexibilities at different points as one proceeds annularly around the ring. These different lateral flexibilities may be achieved in different ways such as by changing the material and/or cross-sectional size, shape, or other stiffness-imparting characteristics of the cross section.

Claims

1. An annuloplasty ring comprising:

first and second points on the ring that are spaced from one another in an annular direction around the ring, the first and second points lying in a plane parallel to a plan view of the ring; and

first and second ring segments, each extending between the first and second points, each arching upwardly out of the plane between the first and second points, and each including a plurality of annularly spaced portions that have different lateral flexibilities.

2. The ring defined in claim 1 wherein the portions have different cross sectional size to give them different lateral flexibilities.

3. The ring defined in claim 1 wherein the portions are made of different materials to give them different lateral flexibilities.

4. The ring defined in claim 1 wherein each of the segments includes first through fifth portions that are disposed in first through fifth order between the first and second points, and wherein the second and fourth portions are more laterally flexible than the first, third, and fifth portions.

5. The ring defined in claim 4 wherein the second and fourth portions have smaller cross section than the first, third, and fifth portions.

6. The ring defined in claim 4 wherein the second and fourth portions are made of material that is more laterally flexible than material of which the first, third, and fifth portions are made.

7. The ring defined in claim 1 wherein each of the segments includes first through third portions that are disposed in first through third order between the first and second points, and wherein the first and third portions are more laterally flexible than the second portions.

8. The ring defined in claim 7 wherein the first and third portions have smaller cross section than the second portions.

9. The ring defined in claim 7 wherein first and third portions are made of material that is more laterally flexible than material of which the second portions are made.

10. The ring defined in claim 1 wherein each of the segments comprises:

first and second structural members extending axially along the segment, the structural members being substantially axially inflexible; and

an elastic body encasing the first and second structural members.

11. The ring defined in claim 10 wherein, in each of the segments, spacing between the first and second structural members in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane varies in a direction along the segment.