ASSESSMENT OF AORTIC HEART VALVE TO FACILITATE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT
First Claim
1. A device for assessing a physical parameter of a cardiac valve and surrounding tissue in the body of a patient, comprising:
- a flexible catheter shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, andan assessment mechanism carried at or near the distal end of the catheter, said assessment mechanism comprising an expandable member configured to determine at least one physical parameter of the cardiac valve and surrounding tissue in the body of the patient.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Devices and methods for assessing the size, shape, and topography of vessel lumens and hollow portions of organs are described. The devices and methods are particularly adapted for determining the size, shape, topography, and compliance of the native heart valves to facilitate the later implantation of a prosthetic heart valve. The devices are typically catheter-based having an assessment mechanism fixed to a distal end of the catheter. The assessment mechanism generally includes an expandable member, such as a balloon. The assessment mechanism may also include an imaging member, a physical assessment member, an electronic mapping construction, an alignment mechanism, a valvuloplasty balloon, or any combinations thereof. The methods typically comprise deploying the balloon percutaneously to a target location, expanding the balloon, and determining one or more physical parameters associated with the target location.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A device for assessing a physical parameter of a cardiac valve and surrounding tissue in the body of a patient, comprising:
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a flexible catheter shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and an assessment mechanism carried at or near the distal end of the catheter, said assessment mechanism comprising an expandable member configured to determine at least one physical parameter of the cardiac valve and surrounding tissue in the body of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for assessing a physical parameter of a cardiac valve and surrounding tissue in the body of a patient, comprising:
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deploying an assessment mechanism including an expandable member to the location of a cardiac valve within the body of a patient, said assessment mechanism being attached to a catheter at or near a distal end thereof, expanding the expandable member to engage at least a portion of the cardiac valve; and determining at least one physical parameter of the cardiac valve. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification