Devices and Methods for Treating a Heart

• US 20110190879A1
• Filed: 02/02/2011
• Published: 08/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
• Original Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
• Inventors: Migliazza, John F., Cheung, Tak, Bash, Assaf, Bobo, Donald E., Campbell, Louis A., Curtis, Alison S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,107,749 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/2.37
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/503 for diagnosis of the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2445 Annuloplasty rings in direct contact with the valve annulus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2457 Chordae tendineae prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2487 Devices within the heart chamber, e.g. splints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0008 Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0004 adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0007 for adjusting length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0012 for adjusting elasticity, flexibility, spring rate or mechanical tension

Abstract

Devices and related methods of use are provided for improving heart function. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a device includes a ring-like structure configured to be secured to a heart valve; at least one elongate member extending from the ring-like structure, wherein an end of the elongate member is configured to be secured to heart geometry other than a heart valve; and an adjustment mechanism for simultaneously altering a dimension of the ring-like structure and a length of the elongate member.

Claims

1. A device for treating a heart, comprising:

a ring-like structure configured to be secured to a heart valve;

at least one elongate member extending from the ring-like structure, wherein an end of the elongate member is configured to be secured to heart geometry other than a heart valve; and

an adjustment mechanism for simultaneously altering a dimension of the ring-like structure and a length or tension of the elongate member.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the ring-like structure includes an annuloplasty ring.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the heart valve includes one of a mitral valve and a tricuspid valve.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the heart geometry other than a heart valve includes a papillary muscle.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the heart geometry other than a heart valve includes a heart wall.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a component configured for rotation.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the component includes a pulley.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the component includes a screw.

9. A method of treating a heart valve, comprising:

implanting a device within a heart, wherein the device includes

a ring-like structure configured to be secured to the heart valve;

at least one elongate member extending from the ring-like structure, wherein an end of the elongate member is configured to be secured to heart geometry other than the heart valve; and

an adjustment mechanism for altering a dimension of the ring-like structure and a length of the elongate member; and

simultaneously altering the dimension of the ring-like structure and the length of the elongate member while the heart is beating.

10. The method of claim 9, further including the step of monitoring a function of the heart valve.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the heart valve is one of a mitral valve and a tricuspid valve.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the heart geometry other than a heart valve includes a papillary muscle.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the heart geometry other than a heart valve includes a heart wall.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the ring-like structure includes an annuloplasty ring.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of simultaneously altering the dimension of the ring-like structure and the length of the elongate member occur by rotating a component of the adjustment mechanism.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the component includes a pulley.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the component includes a screw.

18. A method of treating a heart, comprising:

measuring a distance between a mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa and a papillary muscle of a heart;

measuring a diameter of a heart valve of the heart; and

using a predictive model to calculate a change required in the distance between the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa and the papillary muscle of the heart to cause a desired change in the diameter of the heart valve.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the papillary muscle includes a posterior papillary muscle.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the heart valve is one of a tricuspid valve and a mitral valve.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the predictive model is a mathematical function.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the predictive model is determined by measuring a distance between a mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa and a papillary muscle and measuring a diameter of a heart valve, for a plurality of hearts.

23. A method of treating an atrioventricular heart valve, comprising:

implanting a device within a heart chamber, wherein the device includes

an annuloplasty ring configured to be secured to the atrioventricular heart valve;

a plurality of elongate members extending from the annuloplasty ring, wherein an end of each of the elongate members is configured to be secured to one of a heart wall and a papillary muscle; and

an adjustment mechanism for simultaneously altering a diameter of the annuloplasty ring and exerting a pulling force on at least one of the plurality of elongate members;

altering the diameter of the annuloplasty ring; and

exerting a pulling force on the plurality of elongate members so as to alter a positioning of one of the heart wall and the papillary muscle, during the step of altering the diameter of the annuloplasty ring;

wherein the step of altering the diameter of the annuloplasty ring and the step of exerting a pulling force on the plurality of elongate members occur simultaneously through adjusting the adjustment mechanism.

24. The method of claim 23, further including the step of monitoring a function of the atrioventricular heart valve.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the atrioventricular heart valve includes a mitral valve.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein adjusting the adjustment mechanism includes rotating a component of the adjustment mechanism.