ANNULOPLASTY SIZERS FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE PROCEDURES

• US 20140046219A1
• Filed: 10/16/2013
• Published: 02/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corcym SRL (LivaNova Plc), Trustees Of The University Of Pennsylvania (University of Pennsylvania)
• Original Assignee: Sorin Group USA Incorporated (LivaNova Plc)
• Inventors: Sauter, Joseph A., Hargrove, W. Clark III
• Granted Patent: US 9,149,207 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/587
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/12 Arrangements for detecting or locating foreign bodies
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2496 Devices for determining the dimensions of the prosthetic valve to be implanted, e.g. templates, sizers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0098 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers

Abstract

A sizing plate for sizing a native valve annulus in a patient'"'"'s heart for either valve replacement or repair during a minimally invasive surgical procedure is shown and described. The sizing plate is generally shaped such that it corresponds to the shape of the native valve annulus. Additionally, a thickness of the sizing plate is such that it can be inserted through a space between the ribs of the patient during the procedure. The sizing plate includes two keyways extending though the plate separated by a bridge. The keyways are sized and shaped such that they are adapted to be engaged by a minimally invasive surgical tool such as a laparoscopic grasper. The keyways in conjunction with the bridge facilitate manipulation of the sizing plate by the grasper from an external location.

Claims

1. A method of sizing a native valve annulus during a minimally invasive mitral valve repair or replacement procedure comprising:

creating a surgical access port in an intercostals space in a patient'"'"'s body;

exposing the native valve annulus;

inserting a first sizing plate through the surgical access port, the first sizing plate including;

an upper surface and a lower surface defining a thickness of the sizing plate;

first and second keyways extending through the sizing plate from the upper planar surface to the lower planar surface of the sizing plate; and

a bridge member between the first and second keyways configured to be engaged by a laparoscopic grasping tool;

engaging the bridge of the sizing plate using a laparoscopic grasping tool inserted through the surgical access port;

positioning the sizing plate in the valve annulus;

comparing the major and minor dimensions and the shape of the sizing plate to a major and a minor dimension and shape of an anterior leaflet of the mitral valve; and

determining the major and minor dimensions and shape of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

removing the first sizing plate from the patient'"'"'s body;

inserting a second sizing plate through the surgical access port, the second sizing plate comprising a major dimension and a minor dimension and a shape generally corresponding to the shape of an anterior leaflet of the native mitral valve;

an upper planar surface and a lower planar surface defining a thickness of the sizing plate; and

a first keyway and a second keyway to facilitate engagement of a grasping tool with the sizing plate, the first and second keyways generally centered on the sizing plate and extending through the sizing plate from the upper planar surface to the lower planar surface of the sizing plate;

engaging a bridge of the second sizing plate using a laparoscopic grasping tool inserted through the surgical access port;

positioning the second sizing plate in the valve annulus;

comparing the major and minor dimensions and the shape of the second sizing plate to a major and a minor dimension and shape of an anterior leaflet of the mitral valve; and

determining the major and minor dimensions and shape of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of temporarily suspending the first sizing plate through the access port.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of orienting the first sizing plate on an edge when inserting the first sizing plate through the surgical access port.

5. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of orienting the second sizing plate on an edge when inserting the second sizing plate through the surgical access port.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first sizing plate is D-shaped.

7. The method according to claim 2, wherein the second sizing plate is D-shaped.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first sizing plate has a shape corresponding to a shape of an anterior leaflet of a native mitral valve.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first sizing plate has a shape corresponding to a shape of an anterior leaflet of a native mitral valve.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bridge member comprises a bar coupled to the first sizing plate.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first sizing plate is radiopaque.

12. The method according to claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the second sizing plate is radiopaque.