Thorascopic Heart Valve Repair Method and Apparatus
First Claim
1. A method for repairing a heart valve, the steps comprising:
- a) inserting an instrument through the subject'"'"'s chest wall and into the chest cavity;
b) inserting the distal end of the instrument through a heart wall and entering a heart chamber;
c) grasping a leaflet on the heart valve with a movable device on the distal end of the instrument;
d) puncturing the leaflet with a needle disposed on the distal end of the instrument and drawing a suture through the puncture to connect the suture thereto;
e) anchoring the suture to another structure in the heart;
f) withdrawing the instrument from the heart chamber; and
g) withdrawing the instrument from the chest cavity.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An instrument for performing thorascopic repair of heart valves includes a shaft for extending through the chest cavity and into a heart chamber providing access to a valve needing repair. A movable tip on the shaft is operable to capture a valve leaflet and a needle is operable to penetrate a capture valve leaflet and draw the suture therethrough. The suture is thus fastened to the valve leaflet and the instrument is withdrawn from the heart chamber transporting the suture outside the heart chamber. The suture is anchored to the heart wall with proper tension as determined by observing valve operation with an ultrasonic imaging system.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for repairing a heart valve, the steps comprising:
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a) inserting an instrument through the subject'"'"'s chest wall and into the chest cavity; b) inserting the distal end of the instrument through a heart wall and entering a heart chamber; c) grasping a leaflet on the heart valve with a movable device on the distal end of the instrument; d) puncturing the leaflet with a needle disposed on the distal end of the instrument and drawing a suture through the puncture to connect the suture thereto; e) anchoring the suture to another structure in the heart; f) withdrawing the instrument from the heart chamber; and g) withdrawing the instrument from the chest cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An instrument for repairing a heart valve the combination comprising:
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a shaft for insertion through a chest wall and into a heart chamber; a movable element mounted on the distal end of the shaft and being operable from the extrathoracic end of the shaft to capture and hold a valve leaflet against the distal end of the shaft; a suture disposed in the distal end of the instrument; and a needle mechanism mounted on the distal end of the shaft and being operable from the extrathoracic end of the shaft to penetrate through a captured valve leaflet and draw a suture back through the penetration. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification