Prosthetic Valve Support Structure

• US 20120053682A1
• Filed: 08/24/2011
• Published: 03/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Vascular Galway Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Vascular Galway Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Tuval, Yossi, Kovalsky, Igor
• Granted Patent: US 9,918,833 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/2.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2418 Scaffolds therefor, e.g. support stents
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0016 with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0054 V-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0048 differing in mechanical expandability, e.g. in mechanical, self- or balloon expandability
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0069 Sealing means

Abstract

The present invention is directed to prostheses including a support structure having a proximal end and a distal end, and a motion limiting member attached to the distal end of the support structure, wherein the motion limiting member is configured to restrict radial expansion of the distal end of the support structure. Methods for delivering the prosthesis are also provided.

Claims

1. A prosthesis comprising:

a support structure having a proximal end and a distal end; and

a motion limiting member attached to the distal end of the support structure,

wherein the motion limiting member is configured to restrict radial expansion of the distal end of the support structure.

2. The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein the motion limiting member comprises a rigid circular frame.

3. The prosthesis of claim 2, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of posts at a distal portion thereof, and

wherein the rigid circular frame is attached to a distal end of each of the plurality of posts.

4. The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein the motion limiting member comprises a plurality of rigid arches, each rigid arch extending between adjacent posts.

5. The prosthesis of claim 4, wherein each rigid arch is attached to proximal ends of the adjacent posts.

6. The prosthesis of claim 4, wherein the rigid arches together form a substantially circular shape.

7. The prosthesis of claim 4, wherein the rigid arches are sufficiently flexible to collapse and expand during a prosthesis insertion process.

8. The prosthesis of claim 4, wherein the rigid arches each form an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis extending through the support structure, and wherein the angle is within the range of approximately 30 to approximately 120 degrees.

9. The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of posts at a distal portion thereof, and

wherein the motion limiting member comprises a plurality of linear support elements, each linear support element extending between adjacent posts.

10. The prosthesis of claim 9, wherein each linear support element is attached to distal ends of the adjacent posts.

11. The prosthesis of claim 9, wherein each linear support element is formed of a non-rigid material.

12. The prosthesis of claim 9, wherein each linear support element is formed of a rigid material.

13. The prosthesis of claim 9, wherein each linear support element comprises a plurality of linear support sub-elements connected in series.

14. The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein the motion limiting member is configured to limit radial movements of the plurality of posts.

15. The prosthesis of claim 1, further comprising a sealing member attached to the proximal end of the support structure, wherein the sealing member is shaped and configured to conform to interleaflet triangles of a patient'"'"'s heart.

16. The prosthesis of claim 15, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of posts at a distal portion thereof, and

wherein the sealing member comprises a plurality of sealing elements, each sealing element being positioned so as to align with a corresponding post.

17. The prosthesis of claim 15, wherein the sealing member extends around the proximal end of the support structure.

18. The prosthesis of claim 15, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of posts at a distal portion thereof, and

wherein the sealing member comprises a plurality of sealing tips, and wherein the sealing member is oriented so as to align each sealing tip with a corresponding post.

19. A prosthesis, comprising:

a collapsible and expandable support structure including a plurality of posts at a distal end thereof and a flared portion extending in a proximal direction from the plurality of posts; and

a motion limiting member attached to a proximal end of the support structure,

wherein the motion limiting member is configured to restrict radial movement of the proximal end of the support structure.

20. The valve prosthesis support structure of claim 19, wherein the flared portion comprises a bulging proximal portion comprising a plurality of endpoints, and wherein the motion limiting member comprises a plurality of struts, each strut linking adjacent endpoints.

21. The valve prosthesis support structure of claim 19, wherein the flared portion comprises a bulging proximal portion comprising a plurality of endpoints,

wherein the motion limiting member comprises a plurality of struts, and

wherein a plurality of struts link adjacent endpoints.

22. The valve prosthesis support structure of claim 19, wherein the motion limiting member is monolithic with the support structure.

23. The valve prosthesis support structure of claim 19, further comprising a sealing member attached to the support structure, wherein the sealing member is shaped and configured to conform to interleaflet triangles of a patient'"'"'s heart.

24. The valve prosthesis support structure of claim 23, wherein the sealing member comprises a plurality of sealing elements, each sealing element being positioned at a proximal end of the support structure so as to align with a corresponding post.

25. The valve prosthesis support structure of claim 23, wherein the sealing member is positioned at a proximal end of the support structure and extends around the proximal end of the support structure.

26. The valve prosthesis support structure of claim 23, wherein the sealing member comprises a plurality of sealing tips, and wherein the sealing member is oriented so as to align each sealing tip with a corresponding post.

27. A method of delivering a prosthesis to a desired location in a body, the method comprising:

introducing a sheath of a delivery system into a subject'"'"'s vasculature, wherein a distal tip of the sheath contains the prosthesis;

advancing the distal tip of the sheath to the desired location in the body; and

releasing the prosthesis within the body,

wherein the prosthesis comprises;

a support structure having a proximal end and a distal end; and

a motion limiting member attached to the distal end of the support structure.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of posts at a distal portion thereof, and

wherein the motion limiting member comprises a rigid circular frame attached to a distal end of each post.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of posts at a distal portion thereof, and

wherein the motion limiting member comprises a plurality of rigid arches, each rigid arch extending between adjacent posts.

30. The method of claim 27, further comprising a sealing member attached to the support structure, wherein the sealing member is shaped and configured to conform to interleaflet triangles of a patient'"'"'s heart.