Prosthetic Heart Valve Devices and Methods of Valve Repair

• US 20110264208A1
• Filed: 04/27/2010
• Published: 10/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Hughes, Luke, Xue, Yueqiang, Duffy, Niall
• Granted Patent: US 9,795,482 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/2.37
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/088 Sliding fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2454 Means for preventing inversion of the valve leaflets, e.g. chordae tendineae prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2457 Chordae tendineae prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0016 with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0007 for adjusting length

Abstract

A mechanism for adjusting the chordae connecting the leaflets of a mitral valve to the papillary muscles in order to restore normal functioning of the mitral valve. The devices or mechanisms can correct problems associated with both prolapsed leaflets and restricted leaflets to allow the leaflets to properly coapt, thereby preventing or minimizing regurgitation. In accordance with the invention, the mechanisms or devices used for adjusting the chordae can be delivered and implanted in a minimally invasive and/or percutaneous manner, such as via transapical methods, transfermoral methods, or trans-septal methods.

Claims

1. A chordae support device for repairing the native chordae of a mitral valve, the device comprising:

an elongated member having first and second ends;

a first anchor extending from the first end of the elongated member; and

a second anchor spaced from the first anchor and slideably moveable along the elongated member relative to the first anchor.

2. The chordae support device of claim 1, wherein the first anchor comprises a sharp tip for penetrating tissue.

3. The chordae support device of claim 1, wherein the first anchor comprises a first disc member at the first end of the elongated member and a second disc member spaced from the first disc member, and wherein the first and second disc members are slideably moveable relative to each other along the elongated member.

4. The chordae support device of claim 3, wherein at least one of the first and second disc members comprises a shape memory material.

5. The chordae support device of claim 4, wherein the first and second disc members both comprise a shape memory material, and wherein the first and second disc members are compressible and expandable in response to the application or removal of external forces.

6. The chordae support device of claim 3, wherein the elongated member comprises a series of teeth that cooperate with an internal surface of the second disc member to allow movement of the second disc member in a first direction toward the first disc member and to prevent movement of the second disc member in a second direction away from the first disc member.

7. The chordae support device of claim 1, wherein the first anchor comprises a shape memory material.

8. The chordae support device of claim 7, wherein the first anchor comprises a coiled wire segment.

9. The chordae support device of claim 8, wherein the coiled wire segment is deformable from a coiled shape to a generally linear shape.

10. The chordae support device of claim 8, wherein the first anchor comprises a sharp distal end.

11. The chordae support device of claim 8, wherein the first anchor further comprises a load distribution plate extending from a portion of the coiled wire segment along its length.

12. A method of repairing a mitral valve, comprising the steps of:

accessing a left ventricle of a heart through an opening created in an apex of the heart;

introducing a chordae support device through the opening in the apex, the device comprising an elongated member, a first anchor located at a first end of the elongated member, and a second anchor spaced from the first anchor along the elongated member;

penetrating a papillary muscle with the first anchor;

manipulating the first anchor from the papillary muscle and through the left ventricle to a mitral valve;

penetrating a leaflet of the mitral valve with the first anchor;

securing the first anchor to the leaflet; and

moving the second anchor toward the first anchor to decrease the distance between the first and second anchors.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first anchor comprises a shape memory material.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of positioning the second anchor against an outer wall of the apex adjacent the opening in the apex.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the first anchor comprises a first disc member at the first end of the elongated member and a second disc member spaced from the first disc member, and wherein the step of securing the first anchor to the leaflet comprises positioning the first and second disc members on opposite sides of the leaflet and then moving the first and second disc members closer to each other along the elongated member to capture the leaflet between them.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the elongated member comprises a series of teeth that cooperate with an internal surface of the second disc member to allow movement of the second disc member in a first direction toward the first disc member and to prevent movement of the second disc member in a second direction away from the first disc member.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the first anchor comprises a coiled wire segment.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of uncoiling the coiled wire segment prior to the step of penetrating the leaflet with the first anchor.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of releasing the wire segment from its uncoiled configuration after the step of penetrating the leaflet with the first anchor.

20. A method of modifying a length of at least one of the chordae extending from a mitral valve leaflet to a papillary muscle, comprising the steps of:

delivering a first anchoring device to one of the chordae, wherein the first anchoring device comprises a wire segment and first and second anchor members spaced from each other along the wire segment;

attaching the first and second anchor members to the chordae;

sliding at least one of the first and second anchor members along the chordae toward the other of the first and second anchor members, thereby changing the length of the chordae to which the anchoring device is attached.