Devices, systems, and methods for reshaping a heart valve annulus, including the use of a bridge implant having an adjustable bridge stop

• US 20060106279A1
• Filed: 10/21/2005
• Published: 05/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: MVRx, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ample Medical, Inc. (MVRx, Inc.)
• Inventors: Machold, Timothy R., Rahdert, David A., Scott, David J., Chang, Robert T., Macoviak, John A., Tholfsen, David Rainone
• Application Number:
  US11/255,663
• Publication Number:
  US 20060106279A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• 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 17/0485 Devices or means, e.g. loops, for capturing the suture thread and threading it through an opening of a suturing instrument or needle eyelet
• 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 17/3478 Endoscopic needles, e.g. for infusion biopsy needles A61B10/0233; catheters with injection needles A61M25/0067
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00252 for by-pass connections, i.e. connections from heart chamber to blood vessel or from blood vessel to blood vessel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00575 for closure at remote site, e.g. closing atrial septum defects
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00592 Elastic or resilient implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00606 Implements H-shaped in cross-section, i.e. with occluders on both sides of the opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00876 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0419 H-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0445 cannulated, e.g. with a longitudinal through-hole for passage of an instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0451 Cams or wedges holding the suture by friction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0453 threaded elements, e.g. set screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0454 the anchor being crimped or clamped on the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0458 : Longitudinal through hole, e.g. suture blocked by a distal suture knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0461 : with features cooperating with special features on the suture, e.g. protrusions 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 2017/0496 : for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06176 : with protrusions, e.g. barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2442 : Annuloplasty rings or inserts for correcting the valve shape; Implants for improving the function of a native heart valve
• 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 2/2487 : Devices within the heart chamber, e.g. splints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/009 : magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0012 : for adjusting elasticity, flexibility, spring rate or mechanical tension

Abstract

Implants or systems of implants and methods apply a selected force vector or a selected combination of force vectors within or across the left atrium, which allow mitral valve leaflets to better coapt. The implants or systems of implants and methods make possible rapid deployment, facile endovascular delivery, and full intra-atrial adjustability and retrievability years after implant. The implants or systems of implants and methods also make use of strong fluoroscopic landmarks. The implants or systems of implants and methods make use of an adjustable implant and a fixed length implant. The implants or systems of implants and methods may also utilize an adjustable bridge stop to secure the implant, and the methods of implantation employ various tools.

Claims

1. A bridge stop apparatus comprising

a bridge stop housing having a length and a width,

an aperture extending through the length of the bridge stop housing, the aperture sized and configured to allow a bridging element to extend through at least a portion of the length of the aperture, and

an adjustment mechanism coupled to the bridge stop housing to allow adjustment of a length of the bridging element.

2. A bridge stop according to claim 1

wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a catheter releasably coupled to the bridge stop to activate the adjustment mechanism.

3. A bridge stop according to claim 1

wherein the adjustment mechanism is located within the aperture within the bridge stop housing.

4. A bridge stop according to claim 1

wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a locking collar.

5. A bridge stop according to claim 1

wherein the adjustment mechanism allows for only lengthening or only shortening of the bridging element.

6. A bridge stop according to claim 1

wherein the adjustment mechanism allows for both lengthening and shortening of the bridging element.

7. A bridge stop according to claim 1

wherein the adjustment mechanism is sized and configured to allow for repeatable adjustment.

8. A bridge stop according to claim 1

wherein the bridge stop adjustment mechanism includes a static state, and

the bridge stop adjustment mechanism restrains the bridging element in the adjustment mechanism'"'"'s static state, thereby requiring a positive activation force necessary to allow the bridging element to be adjusted.

9. A bridge stop according to claim 1

wherein the bridging element includes discrete stop beads to allow the bridging element to be adjusted in discrete lengths.

10. A bridge stop according to claim 1

wherein the bridging element includes a toothed ribbon portion or a perforated ribbon portion or a threaded shaft portion extending through at least a portion of the aperture in the bridge stop housing.

11. A bridge stop according to claim 1

wherein the length of the bridge stop housing is greater than the width of the bridge stop housing.

12. A bridge stop according to claim 1

wherein the bridge stop housing further includes at least one radio-opaque marker.

13. A bridge stop according to claim 1

wherein the bridge stop includes a relocation element.

14. A bridge stop according to claim 13

the relocation element further including at least one radio-opaque marker.

22. A method of adjusting a bride stop as defined in claim 1.

23. A method of adjusting a length of a bridging element comprising

providing a bridge stop having an adjustment mechanism as defined in claim 1, and

operating the adjustment mechanism to lengthen or to shorten the bridging element.

24. A method according to claim 23 further including

repeating the operating the adjustment mechanism to lengthen or shorten the bridging element until a desired length of the bridging element is achieved.

25. A method according to claim 24 further including

allowing the bridging element to settle for a predetermined time before repeating the operating the adjustment mechanism step.

26. A method according to claim 23 further including

coupling a catheter to the bridge stop, the catheter being used to operate the adjustment mechanism.

27. A method according to claim 23 further including

coupling a catheter to the bridging element, the catheter being used to lengthen or shorten the bridging element.

28. A method according to claim 23 further including

providing a catheter, the catheter including a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter having a first adjustment mechanism on its proximal end and a second adjustment mechanism on its proximal end,

coupling the first adjustment mechanism to the bridge stop,

coupling the second adjustment mechanism to the bridging element,

operating the first adjustment mechanism to allow adjustment of the bridging element,

operating the second adjustment mechanism to lengthen or shorten the bridging element, and

operating the first adjustment mechanism again to re-secure the bridging element.

15. A bridge stop apparatus comprising

a bridge stop housing, the housing comprising an inner portion and an outer portion, the housing having a length and a width,

an aperture extending through the length of the bridge stop housing, the aperture sized and configured to allow a bridging element to extend through at least a portion of the length of the aperture, and

an adjustment mechanism coupled to the bridge stop housing to allow adjustment of the bridging element.

16. A bridge stop according to claim 15

wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises rotation of either the inner portion or the outer portion.

17. A bridge stop according to claim 15

wherein the inner portion is positioned completely within the outer portion.

18. A bridge stop according to claim 15

wherein the inner portion extends partially outside the outer portion.

19. An implant system comprising

a bridging element sized and configured to span a left atrium between a great cardiac vein and an interatrial septum,

a first bridge stop coupled to the bridging element,

a second bridge stop coupled to the bridging element, the second bridge stop comprising,

a bridge stop housing having a length and a width,

an aperture extending through the length of the bridge stop housing, the aperture sized and configured to allow a bridging element to extend through at least a portion of the length of the aperture, and

an adjustment mechanism coupled to the bridge stop housing to allow adjustment of the bridging element.

20. An implant system according to claim 19

wherein the bridge stop housing further comprises an inner portion and an outer portion.

21. An implant system according to claim 20

wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises rotation of either the inner portion or the outer portion to allow the bridging element to be lengthened or shortened.