Sizer Device Having a Plurality of Anterior-Posterior Ratios

• US 20090192605A1
• Filed: 01/23/2009
• Published: 07/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Kuehn, Stephen, Ryan, Timothy R., Gloss, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US12/358,908
• Publication Number:
  US 20090192605A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/2.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2448 D-shaped rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2496 Devices for determining the dimensions of the prosthetic valve to be implanted, e.g. templates, sizers

Abstract

Described is a device for evaluating a heart valve annulus in order to choose a particular annuloplasty device to be attached to the annulus, wherein the annuloplasty device has an inter-trigonal or inter-commissural distance and an anterior-posterior ratio, the device comprising: a valve sizing element having one of a plurality of inter-trigonal or inter-commissural distances and comprising a plurality of indicia on the valve sizing element corresponding to a plurality of anterior-posterior ratios and used to compare to the annulus in order to indicate an anterior-posterior ratio of the annulus. Adjustable devices for evaluating a plurality of anterior-posterior ratios are also described. Also, methods of sizing a patient'"'"'s heart valve annulus are described.

Claims

1. A device for evaluating a heart valve annulus in order to choose a particular annuloplasty device to be attached to the annulus, wherein the annuloplasty device has an inter-trigonal or inter-commissural distance and an anterior-posterior ratio, the device comprising:

a valve sizing element having one of a plurality of inter-trigonal or inter-commissural distances and comprising a plurality of indicia on the valve sizing element corresponding to a plurality of anterior-posterior ratios, wherein the indicia are compared to the annulus in order to indicate an anterior-posterior ratio of the annulus.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising an elongate element having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the valve sizing element is coupled to the distal end of the elongate element.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the valve sizing element comprises an optically transparent material.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the indicia comprising markings on at least one surface of the valve sizing element.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the markings comprise visible markings imprinted on the at least one surface of the valve sizing element.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the indicia comprise a plurality of generally semi-circular-shaped ribs that are arranged concentrically along a surface of the valve sizing element.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the indicia comprise steps in a surface of the valve sizing element that are arranged generally concentrically and are generally semi-circular in shape.

8. An adjustable device for evaluating a heart valve annulus in order to choose a particular annuloplasty device to be attached to the annulus, the device comprising:

a valve sizing element comprising first and second portions and means for moving the portions with respect to one another in order to provide the valve sizing element with one of a plurality of anterior-posterior ratios.

9. The adjustable device of claim 8, further comprising an elongate element having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the valve sizing element is coupled to the distal end of the elongate element, and the elongate element comprises means for controlling the movement of the first and second portions.

10. An adjustable device for evaluating a heart valve annulus in order to choose a particular annuloplasty device to be attached to the annulus, the adjustable device comprising:

a valve sizing element comprising;

a plate having a first portion and a second portion;

two arms comprising a center and two ends, the two arms connected to each other by an element near the center of each arm and connected to the first and second portions near the ends of the arms, wherein angular movement of the arms with respect to one another causes distance between the first and second portions of the plate to be varied resulting in a device having a plurality of anterior-posterior ratios.

11. The adjustable device of claim 10, wherein the valve sizing element comprises indicia corresponding to the plurality of anterior-posterior ratios.

12. The adjustable device of claim 11, wherein the indicia comprise visible markings imprinted on a surface of the valve sizing element, and ends of the arms are located near the markings in order to indicate an anterior-posterior ratio of the device corresponding to a particular configuration of the arms and plate portions.

13. The device of claim 10, further comprising an elongate element having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the valve sizing element is coupled to the distal end of the elongate element, and angular movement of the two arms is caused by rotation of the elongate element with respect to the valve sizing element.

14. An adjustable device for evaluating a heart valve annulus in order to choose a particular annuloplasty device to be attached to the annulus, the adjustable device comprising:

an elongate element having a proximal end and a distal end;

a valve sizing element attached to the distal end of the elongate element, the valve sizing element comprising;

a plate; and

a flange extending from the plate and slidably disposed within the plate; and

means for extending the flange from and retracting the flange into the plate of the valve sizing element that are remotely controlled from the proximal end of the elongate element.

15. The adjustable device of claim 14, wherein the means for extending and retracting the flange comprises a first wire and a second wire in tension, and the first wire acts to extend the flange from the sizing plate and the second wire acts to retract the flange into the sizing plate.

16. The adjustable device of claim 15, wherein the first and second wires extend to the proximal end of the elongate element where they are attached to a tab that is moved distally or proximally in the proximal end in order to move the wires.

17. A method of sizing a patient'"'"'s heart valve annulus, comprising the steps of:

receiving a device comprising a valve sizing element having one of a plurality of inter-trigonal or inter-commissural distances and comprising a plurality of indicia on the valve sizing element corresponding to a plurality of anterior-posterior ratios;

inserting the adjustable device into the patient so that the valve sizing element is positioned in the valve annulus;

adjusting the valve sizing element such that the valve sizing element contacts the valve annulus;

comparing the indicia on the valve sizing element to the valve annulus;

determining the anterior-posterior ratio of the annulus; and

removing the valve sizing element from the patient.

18. A method of sizing a patient'"'"'s heart valve annulus, comprising the steps of:

receiving an adjustable device for evaluating a heart valve annulus in order to choose a particular annuloplasty device to be attached to the annulus, the device comprising;

a valve sizing element comprising first and second portions and means for moving the portions with respect to one another in order to adjust the valve sizing element to have one of a plurality of different anterior-posterior ratios;

inserting the adjustable device into the patient so that the valve sizing element is positioned in the valve annulus;

adjusting the valve sizing element such that the valve sizing element contacts the valve annulus;

determining the anterior-posterior ratio of the annulus; and

removing the valve sizing element from the patient.