Device And Method For Improving Function Of Heart Valve

• US 20120316640A1
• Filed: 06/15/2012
• Published: 12/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Keränen, Olli
• Original Assignee: Keränen, Olli
• Inventors: Keränen, Olli
• Granted Patent: US 9,056,009 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/2.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2409 Support rings therefor, e.g. for connecting valves to tissue annuloplasty rings A61F2/2442
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2445 Annuloplasty rings in direct contact with the valve annulus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2448 D-shaped rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0091 helically-coiled or spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2-D spiral cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/006 modular

Abstract

A device for improving the function of a heart valve comprises a first loop-shaped support, which is configured to abut a first side of the heart valve, and a first flange unit being connected to said first loop-shaped support. The flange unit is configured to be arranged against said annulus when said first loop-shaped support is abutting said heart valve.

Claims

1. A method for repairing a heart valve comprised of valve tissue including an annulus and a plurality of leaflets for allowing and preventing blood flow, said method comprising:

delivering a medical device comprising at least a first loop-shaped support and at least a first flange unit connected to said first loop-shaped support to the heart valve,

positioning said first loop-shaped support such that it abuts a first side of the heart valve,

positioning said first flange unit such that it abuts said annulus,

sealing said first flange unit against said annulus with a sealing surface of said first flange unit, and

fixating said device by attaching said first flange unit to said annulus.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first flange unit is attached to said annulus by using sutures or clips.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first flange unit is conformed to the annulus before fixating said device.

4. The method according to claim 1, said delivering of the device to the heart valve is performed using a catheter.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first side of the heart valve is the atrial side.

6. The method according to claim 5, comprising reducing or preventing a backflow of blood from a ventricle side to said atrial side of said heart valve by said sealing.

7. The method according to claim 5, comprising preventing paravalvular leakage by said sealing.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said medical device further comprises a second loop-shaped support and the method further comprises:

positioning said second loop-shaped support such that it abuts a second side of the heart valve opposite to said first side and

trapping a portion of the valve tissue between the first and second loop-shaped supports.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein said trapping keeps the device in a correct position during said fixating of said device.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein said first loop-shaped support is formed continuously with the second loop-shaped support and the method further comprises inserting one of the first and second loop-shaped supports through a commissure to extend along one side of the valve.

9. A method for replacing a heart valve comprised of valve tissue including an annulus and a plurality of leaflets for allowing and preventing blood flow, the method comprising:

delivering a medical device to the heart valve, said device comprising an artificial valve, at least a first loop-shaped support and at least a first flange unit connected to the first loop-shaped support,

positioning the first loop-shaped support such that it abuts a first side of the heart valve,

positioning the first flange unit such that it abuts the annulus,

sealing said first flange unit against said annulus with a sealing surface of said first flange unit, and

fixating the device by attaching the first flange unit to the annulus.

13. The method according to claim 9, wherein said medical device further comprises a second loop-shaped support and the method further comprises positioning said second loop-shaped support such that it abuts a second side of the heart valve opposite to said first side, whereby a portion of the valve tissue is trapped between the first and second loop-shaped supports.

14. The method according to claim 9, wherein said trapping keeps the device in a correct position during said fixating of said device.

15. The method according to claim 9, wherein said first loop-shaped support is formed continuously with the second loop-shaped support and the method further comprises inserting one of the first and second loop-shaped supports through a commissure to extend along one side of the valve.

16. The method according to claim 9, and further comprising attaching the artificial valve to the medical device before delivering the medical device to the heart valve.

10. A method of treating a heart valve problem comprising:

providing an implant having a loop-shaped support frame and a flange connected to said loop-shaped support frame;

abutting said loop-shaped support frame against a first side of said heart valve;

positioning said flange against an annulus of said heart valve;

sealing said flange and said annulus; and

attaching said flange to said annulus.