PROSTHETIC HEART VALVES, SUPPORT STRUCTURES AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPLANTING SAME

• US 20090210052A1
• Filed: 06/20/2007
• Published: 08/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AorTx, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: AorTx, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Heneveld, Scott, Forster, David C., Walsh, Brandon, Beckey, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 8,500,799 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/2.380
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2409 Support rings therefor, e.g. for connecting valves to tissue annuloplasty rings A61F2/2442
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2412 with soft flexible valve members, e.g. tissue valves shaped like natural valves check valves with flexible valve members in general F16K15/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2418 Scaffolds therefor, e.g. support stents
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/243 Deployment by mechanical expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2433 using balloon catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2436 Deployment by retracting a sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2439 Expansion controlled by filaments
• 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 2220/005 using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0058 soldered or brazed or welded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/005 Rosette-shaped, e.g. star-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0036 differing in thickness
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 16/30 from tumour cells
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 16/40 against enzymes
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 2317/622 Single chain antibody (scFv)

Abstract

Described herein are systems and methods for operation of a prosthetic valve support structure (32) having additional reinforcement coupled with panels (36). Multiple support members (620) are distributed across the inner surface of the valve support structure (32) at regular intervals. Each support member (620) can include a looped portion (621) to act as a hinge (52). Each looped portion (621) is in a location coincidental with the interlace between adjacent panels (36).

Claims

1-60. -60. (canceled)

61. A prosthetic valve device, comprising:

a valve support structure comprising a plurality of deflectable panel sections and at least one hinge located between two adjacent panel sections.

62. The prosthetic valve device of claim 61, wherein the hinge comprises at least one of a living hinge and a wire loop.

63. The prosthetic valve device of claim 61, further comprising a reinforcement member coupled to at least one panel.

64. The prosthetic valve device of claim 61, wherein the valve support structure comprises three deflectable panel sections arranged in sequence about the periphery of the support structure, a hinge located between each two adjacent panel sections and a reinforcement member coupled with at least one panel.

65. A prosthetic valve device, comprising:

a valve support structure comprising a first layer and a second layer.

66. The prosthetic valve device of claim 65, further comprising an intermediate layer located between the first and second layers.

67. The prosthetic valve device of claim 66, wherein the valve support structure comprises a hinge, the hinge corresponding to a gap in at least one of the first, second and intermediate layers.

68. The prosthetic valve device of claim 66, wherein the valve support structure comprises a hinge, the hinge corresponding to a relatively thin portion of at least one of the first, second and intermediate layers.

69. The prosthetic valve device of claim 66, wherein the valve support structure comprises a stress reduction portion.

70. The prosthetic valve device of claim 66, wherein a gap exists in the intermediate layer, the gap being oriented axially along a longitudinal axis of the support structure.

71. The prosthetic valve device of claim 66, wherein a gap exists in at least one of the first and second layers.

72. The prosthetic valve device of claim 65, wherein at least one of the first and second layers has a variable thickness.

73. The prosthetic valve device of claim 65, wherein the second layer is an outer layer, the outer layer comprising a plurality of apertures configured to allow tissue invagination fixably coupled together.

74. The prosthetic valve device of claim 65, wherein the first layer and second layer are removably coupled together.

75. The prosthetic valve device of claim 65, wherein the second layer is configured to nest with the first layer.

76. A prosthetic valve device, comprising:

a valve support structure comprising a first region having a first thickness and a second region having a second thickness, the first thickness being relatively less than the second thickness.

77. The prosthetic valve device of claim 76, wherein the first region is at least in part configured to allow placement of a valve leaflet.

78. The prosthetic valve device of claim 76, wherein the difference in thickness between the first and second thicknesses corresponds to the thickness of a valve leaflet.

79. The prosthetic valve device of claim 76, wherein the first region extends along the axial length of the valve support structure.

80. A prosthetic valve device, comprising:

a valve support structure comprising a plurality of deflectable panels, the support structure being transitionable from an undeployed configuration to a deployed configuration, wherein the support structure has a generally tubular configuration in the deployed configuration; and

a panel expansion member configured to facilitate deflection of at least one panel.

81. The prosthetic valve device of claim 80, wherein the expansion member is spring-like and coupled to at least two adjacent panel sections.

82. The prosthetic valve device of claim 80, wherein the expansion member is a first expansion member, the device further comprising a second expansion member and a third expansion member.

83. The prosthetic valve device of claim 80, wherein the expansion member is configured as a covering.

84. The prosthetic valve device of claim 83, further comprising a tether coupled with the expansion member and the panel section, wherein the expansion member is slidably coupled to a panel section.