METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CARDIAC VALVE REPAIR
First Claim
1. A method of repairing a valve in a patient'"'"'s body, the valve having a plurality of movable leaflets, the leaflets having a superior surface on a first side and an inferior surface on an opposing side, the method comprising:
- positioning a coapting device near the valve, the coapting device having a pair of movable arms and a pair of superior elements adapted to engage the superior surface of the leaflets,engaging the inferior surfaces of the leaflets with the arms;
capturing the leaflets between the movable arms and the superior elements;
manipulating the arms to hold the leaflets in a coapted position in which at least portions of the superior surfaces face each other;
removing the superior elements from the leaflets prior to permanently implanting the coapting device; and
implanting the coapting device permanently in engagement with the leaflets so as to maintain the leaflets in the coapted position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The methods, devices, and systems are provided for performing endovascular repair of atrioventricular and other cardiac valves in the heart. Regurgitation of an atrioventricular valve, particularly a mitral valve, can be repaired by modifying a tissue structure selected from the valve leaflets, the valve annulus, the valve chordae, and the papillary muscles. These structures may be modified by suturing, stapling, snaring, or shortening, using interventional tools which are introduced to a heart chamber. Preferably, the tissue structures will be temporarily modified prior to permanent modification. For example, opposed valve leaflets may be temporarily grasped and held into position prior to permanent attachment.
-
Citations
30 Claims
-
1. A method of repairing a valve in a patient'"'"'s body, the valve having a plurality of movable leaflets, the leaflets having a superior surface on a first side and an inferior surface on an opposing side, the method comprising:
-
positioning a coapting device near the valve, the coapting device having a pair of movable arms and a pair of superior elements adapted to engage the superior surface of the leaflets, engaging the inferior surfaces of the leaflets with the arms; capturing the leaflets between the movable arms and the superior elements; manipulating the arms to hold the leaflets in a coapted position in which at least portions of the superior surfaces face each other; removing the superior elements from the leaflets prior to permanently implanting the coapting device; and implanting the coapting device permanently in engagement with the leaflets so as to maintain the leaflets in the coapted position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method of repairing a valve in a patient'"'"'s body, the valve having a plurality of movable leaflets, the method comprising:
-
positioning a coapting device near the valve, the coapting device having a grasping element and a pair of superior elements; atraumatically grasping the leaflets with the grasping element to at least partially immobilize the leaflets relative to each other; atraumatically engaging superior surfaces of the leaflets with the superior elements; removing the superior elements from the leaflets prior to permanently implanting the coapting device; and implanting the coapting device permanently in the patient'"'"'s body, wherein the leaflets are not penetrated by the coapting device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. A method of repairing a valve in a patient'"'"'s body, the valve having a plurality of movable leaflets, the method comprising:
-
atraumatically grasping the leaflets with a coapting device, the coapting device having a grasping element and a pair of superior elements; immobilizing at least a portion of the leaflets between the grasping element and the superior elements so that the leaflets are immobilized relative to each other; fastening the leaflets together without penetrating the leaflets; and removing the superior elements from the leaflets. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
Specification