METHODS OF REDUCING RETROGRADE FLOW

• US 20100131053A1
• Filed: 01/18/2010
• Published: 05/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cook Incorporated (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cook Incorporated (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Agnew, Charles W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,323,332 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/2.130
• 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 2/2475 Venous valves
• 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 2220/0066 stapled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0026 trapezoidal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0095 Saddle-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2240/001 Designing or manufacturing processes

Abstract

Methods of reducing retrograde fluid flow through a valve within a body vessel are provided. The methods can include the steps of identifying a valve exhibiting an undesirable amount of retrograde fluid flow within a body vessel, such as a venous valve or a heart valve, and providing a means for reducing the retrograde fluid flow. A medical device providing a desired amount of retrograde fluid flow can be modified after permitting the medical device to remain in a body cavity for a remodeling-effective time period. The implanted medical device can be modified by subsequently reducing the amount of retrograde fluid flow permitted across the implanted prosthetic valve within the body vessel.

Claims

1. A method of reducing retrograde flow across a valve within a body cavity comprising the steps of:

a. identifying a valve within the body cavity permitting retrograde fluid flow across the valve; and

b. implanting an occluding device comprising remodelable material in contact with at least a portion of the valve within the body vessel to reduce the retrograde fluid flow across the valve.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the remodelable material is an extracellular matrix material and the step of implanting the occluding device is performed with a percutaneous catheter within the body vessel.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the valve is a heart valve.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the valve is a venous valve.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the valve is a prosthetic valve.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the valve comprises one or more valve leaflets comprising an extracellular matrix material.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of implanting a prosthetic valve having at least one leaflet comprising an extracellular matrix material and at least one aperture permitting retrograde fluid flow across the prosthetic valve;

wherein the step of implanting the prosthetic valve is performed prior to the step of identifying the valve within the body cavity, and wherein the valve permitting retrograde fluid flow identified within the body cavity is the implanted prosthetic valve.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of permitting the implanted prosthetic valve to remain in the body vessel for a remodeling-effective period of time before performing the step of identifying the valve within the body cavity.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the prosthetic valve is implanted within a vein.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the prosthetic valve is a venous valve.

11. The method of claim 2, wherein the extracellular matrix material comprises small intestine submucosa.

12-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A method of reducing retrograde flow across a valve within a body cavity, comprising:

identifying a natural valve having a normal operation in which the valve permits fluid flow through said body cavity in a primary direction while substantially preventing fluid flow through said body cavity in the opposite retrograde direction, and having a leaflet with a retrograde aperture that permits retrograde fluid flow across the valve;

providing an occluding device comprising a remodelable material;

implanting the occluding device in contact with at least a portion of the natural valve to block fluid flow through the retrograde aperture.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the remodelable material is an extracellular matrix material.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the extracellular matrix material comprises small intestine submucosa.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the natural valve is a heart valve.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the natural valve is a venous valve.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the occluding device comprises an expandable frameless ring of remodelable material.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein the occluding device further comprises an expandable support frame attached to the remodelable material.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the expandable support frame comprises a self expanding support frame.

29. A method of reducing retrograde flow across a venous valve in a body cavity, comprising:

identifying an incompetent natural venous valve having a normal operation in which the valve permits fluid flow through said body cavity in a primary direction while substantially preventing fluid flow through said body cavity in the opposite retrograde direction, and having a leaflet with a retrograde aperture that permits retrograde fluid flow across the valve;

providing an occluding device comprising a section of remodelable material attached to an expandable support frame; and

implanting the occluding device in contact with at least a portion of the valve to block fluid flow through the retrograde aperture.