Percutaneous Transcatheter Heart Valve

• US 20070168024A1
• Filed: 01/04/2007
• Published: 07/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alexander Khairkhahan
• Original Assignee: Alexander Khairkhahan
• Inventors: Khairkhahan, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US11/619,983
• Publication Number:
  US 20070168024A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/2.180
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2403 with pivoting rigid closure members check valves with hinged closure members in general F16K15/03
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2418 Scaffolds therefor, e.g. support stents
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2424 Ball valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0008 Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0016 with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/005 Rosette-shaped, e.g. star-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0067 conical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0076 ellipsoidal or ovoid

Abstract

The present invention provides improved devices and methods for replacing or repairing a malfunctioning heart valve. In particular, improved minimally invasive methods and devices are provided for percutaneous transcatheter implantation of expansible prosthetic heart valves within or adjacent a valved anatomic site within the heart. In one embodiment, an expansible prosthetic heart valve comprises an implantable structure, a flexible membrane, and a membrane support. The implantable structure is expansible from a first reduced diameter to a second enlarged diameter and has a flow path therethrough. The flexible membrane is positionable in the flow path for permitting flow in a first direction and substantially resisting flow in a second direction. The membrane support is positionable in the flow path and affixed to the implantable structure.

Claims

1. An expansible prosthetic heart valve comprising:

p1 an implantable structure which is expansible from a first reduced diameter to a second enlarged diameter and having a flow path therethrough;

p1 a flexible membrane positionable in the flow path for permitting flow in a first direction and substantially resisting flow in a second direction, the flexible membrane comprising a displaceable, expandable valve member; and

p1 a membrane support positionable in the flow path and affixed to the implantable structure.

2. An expansible valve as in claim 1, wherein the membrane support comprises at least one radial rib extending across the flow path.

3. An expansible valve as in claim 1, wherein the membrane support comprises a circular wire frame.

4. An expansible valve as in claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane is attached to a central portion of the membrane support.

5. An expansible valve as in claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane has a substantially circular shape.

6. An expansible valve as in claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane has a substantially conical shape.

7. An expansible valve as in claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane comprises expanded polytetrafluoroethylene or biological materials.

8. An expansible valve as in claim 1, wherein the implantable structure comprises a tubular framework.

9. An expansible valve as in claim 8, wherein the framework comprises a plurality of struts, wherein at least three struts are longer than the remaining struts.

10. An expansible valve as in claim 9, wherein the framework further comprises a plurality of radial protrusions extending beyond the framework when the framework is implanted within or adjacent an intraluminal site.

11. An expansible valve as in claim 9, wherein the radial protrusions extend circumferentially and longitudinally from an outer surface of the framework.

12. An expansible valve as in claim 1, wherein the implantable structure is covered with a layer of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene or biological materials.

13. An expansible valve as in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the implantable structure, flexible membrane, or membrane support is coated with an anti-thrombogenic substance.

14. An expansible valve as in claim 1, wherein the implantable structure, flexible membrane, and membrane support are expandable from a first reduced profile configuration to a second enlarged profile configuration.

15. An expansible prosthetic heart valve comprising:

p1 an implantable structure which is expansible from a first reduced diameter to a second enlarged diameter and having a flow path therethrough;

p1 a displaceable, expandable valve member positionable in the flow path for permitting flow in a first direction and substantially resisting flow in a second direction; and

p1 a valve member support positionable in the flow path.

16. An expansible valve as in claim 15, wherein the displaceable valve member is affixed to the valve member support.

17. An expansible valve as in claim 16, wherein the displaceable valve member and valve member support comprises an expandable ball valve.

18. An expansible valve as in claim 17, wherein the ball valve is coupled to the implantable structure at a hinge point, and wherein the ball valve is centrally supported.

19. An expansible valve as in claim 17, wherein the ball valve is axially slidable relative to the implantable structure.

20. An expansible valve as in claim 16, wherein the displaceable valve member and valve member support are displaced during opening and closing of the flow path.

21. A method for implanting an expansible prosthetic heart valve, the method comprising:

p1 providing a prosthetic heart valve having an expansible structure, a flexible membrane, and a membrane support, wherein the flexible membrane comprises an expandable valve member affixed to the membrane support;

p1 implanting the expansible structure within or adjacent to an intraluminal site and expanding the structure from a first reduced diameter to a second enlarged diameter, wherein a flow path extends therethrough;

p1 positioning the flexible membrane in the flow path for permitting flow in a first direction and substantially resisting flow in a second direction;

p1 positioning the membrane support in the flow path, wherein the membrane support does not flex during opening and closing of the flow path by the flexible membrane; and

p1 displacing the expandable valve member and membrane support at a hinge or in an axial direction relative to the structure.

22. A method as in claim 21, wherein the intraluminal site comprises a mitral valve, aortic valve, pulmonary valve, or tricuspid valve annulus of the heart.

23. A method as in claim 21, wherein implanting is carried out by percutaneously passing a catheter endoluminally through an anatomic passageway to a valved anatomic site within the heart.

24. A method as in claim 21, wherein implanting further comprises aligning the structure within the intraluminal site with at least three long struts.

25. A method as in claim 21, further comprising anchoring the structure with a plurality of hooks.

26. A method as in claim 21, wherein positioning further comprises expanding the membrane support from a first reduced profile configuration to a second enlarged profile configuration.