Blood Flow Controlling Apparatus
First Claim
1. A method for reducing regurgitation in a mitral valve, the method comprising:
- percutaneously inserting a mitral valve flow improvement device in a compressed state into a heart, the mitral valve flow improvement device comprising an upstream end and a downstream end;
a flexible prosthetic mitral valve leaflet at the upstream end;
a tissue penetrating anchor at the downstream end;
a connecting member extending axially therebetween, an upstream end thereof encircled by and coupled to the prosthetic mitral valve leaflet; and
a plurality of flexible extending members extending from a rim of the mitral valve leaflet to the connecting member;
anchoring the tissue penetrating anchor in a wall of the left ventricle with the prosthetic mitral valve leaflet disposed in a gap between native mitral valve leaflets;
releasing the mitral valve flow improvement device from the compressed state; and
permitting the prosthetic mitral valve leaflet to alternate between an open state and a closed state, whereinblood flow from the left ventricle towards the left atrium expands the prosthetic mitral valve leaflet into the closed state in which the prosthetic mitral valve leaflet is umbrella-shaped, the plurality of flexible extending members limiting an upstream movement and expansion thereof, an upstream face of the prosthetic mitral valve leaflet contacts the native mitral valve leaflets in their closed positions, coapting therewith, thereby improving a seal of the mitral valve and reducing regurgitation therethrough, andblood flow through the mitral valve from a left atrium into the left ventricle collapses the prosthetic mitral valve leaflet into the open state in which the prosthetic mitral valve leaflet is collapsed towards the connecting member, reducing a reduced radial cross section thereof and at least partially releasing contact with the native mitral valve leaflets in their open positions, thereby facilitating blood flow therearound.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for reducing regurgitation in a mitral valve using a blood flow controlling apparatus. The blood flow controlling apparatus comprises an anchoring means, preferably arranged to anchor the apparatus to a wall of the left ventricle. The blood flow controlling apparatus further comprises a valve means configured to expand in a direction transverse to blood flow. The valve means is preferably positioned within a native mitral valve and expands for making contact with the mitral valve leaflets during ventricular systole, thereby preventing blood from regurgitating back through the mitral valve into the left atrium. When blood flows from the left atrium to the left ventricle during ventricular diastole, the valve means collapses for allowing blood to pass freely through the mitral valve.
32 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for reducing regurgitation in a mitral valve, the method comprising:
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percutaneously inserting a mitral valve flow improvement device in a compressed state into a heart, the mitral valve flow improvement device comprising an upstream end and a downstream end;
a flexible prosthetic mitral valve leaflet at the upstream end;
a tissue penetrating anchor at the downstream end;
a connecting member extending axially therebetween, an upstream end thereof encircled by and coupled to the prosthetic mitral valve leaflet; and
a plurality of flexible extending members extending from a rim of the mitral valve leaflet to the connecting member;anchoring the tissue penetrating anchor in a wall of the left ventricle with the prosthetic mitral valve leaflet disposed in a gap between native mitral valve leaflets; releasing the mitral valve flow improvement device from the compressed state; and permitting the prosthetic mitral valve leaflet to alternate between an open state and a closed state, wherein blood flow from the left ventricle towards the left atrium expands the prosthetic mitral valve leaflet into the closed state in which the prosthetic mitral valve leaflet is umbrella-shaped, the plurality of flexible extending members limiting an upstream movement and expansion thereof, an upstream face of the prosthetic mitral valve leaflet contacts the native mitral valve leaflets in their closed positions, coapting therewith, thereby improving a seal of the mitral valve and reducing regurgitation therethrough, and blood flow through the mitral valve from a left atrium into the left ventricle collapses the prosthetic mitral valve leaflet into the open state in which the prosthetic mitral valve leaflet is collapsed towards the connecting member, reducing a reduced radial cross section thereof and at least partially releasing contact with the native mitral valve leaflets in their open positions, thereby facilitating blood flow therearound. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for restoring function to a mitral valve in a human heart, comprising:
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introducing a prosthesis into an interior of the heart; securing one end of the prosthesis to tissue within a left ventricle of the heart; positioning an opposite end of the prosthesis between opposing leaflets of the mitral valve; expanding the prosthesis so as to place the prosthesis into contact with at least one leaflet of the mitral valve and thereby substantially prevent blood flow through the mitral valve in a first direction; and contracting the prosthesis so as to substantially allow blood flow through the mitral valve in a second direction.
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- 7. The method of claim 7, wherein the securing of one end of the prosthesis in the left ventricle includes extending the one end of the prosthesis at least partially through heart tissue in the left ventricle.
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12. A method for treating regurgitation in a mitral valve comprising:
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disposing a flexible flap between native leaflets of a mitral valve in a heart, wherein the flap collapses in response to blood flow through the mitral valve from a left atrium into a right ventricle, at least partially releasing contact with at least one native leaflet of the mitral valve in an open position, thereby facilitating blood flow therearound, and the flap expands into parachute shape in response to blood flow from the left ventricle towards the left atrium, a surface of the flap coapting with at least one native leaflet of the mitral valve in a closed position, thereby improving a seal of the mitral valve and reducing regurgitation therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification