Inflatable Transcatheter Intracardiac Devices and Methods for Treating Incompetent Atrioventricular Valves

• US 20140336751A1
• Filed: 05/07/2014
• Published: 11/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: George Kramer
• Original Assignee: George Kramer
• Inventors: Kramer, George
• Granted Patent: US 9,763,781 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/2.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2433 using balloon catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2457 Chordae tendineae prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/246 Devices for obstructing a leak through a native valve in a closed condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0003 having an inflatable pocket filled with fluid, e.g. liquid or gas

Abstract

Inflatable heart valve implants and methods utilizing those valves designed to reduce or eliminate the regurgitant jet associated with an incompetent atrioventricular valve. The heart valve implants, which are deployed via a transcatheter venous approach, comprise an inflatable balloon portion movably connected to an anchored guide shaft and movable from a distal position in the ventricle to a more proximal position between leaflets of a native atrioventricular valve. The range of movement of the inflatable valve body can be adjusted in situ after or before the guide shaft has been anchored to native heart tissue during surgery.

Claims

1. A heart valve implant comprising:

a guide shaft comprising a first end and a second end;

an anchor coupled to said shaft proximate said first end;

an inflatable valve body slidably connected to said guide shaft within a predetermined range of movement;

at least one range limiting structure which limits the range of movement of said valve body relative to said shaft;

said range limiting structure connected to said guide shaft for changing the range of movement of said valve body relative to said guide shaft.

2. A heart valve implant according to claim 1 wherein said range limiting structure is selectively movable relative to said guide shaft.

3. A heart valve implant according to claim 1 wherein said range limiting structure is configured for the in situ adjustment of said range of movement of said valve body relative to said shaft.

4. A heart valve implant according to claim 3 wherein said valve body is slidably mounted on said guide shaft.

5. A heart valve implant according to claim 1 wherein said valve body is slidably mounted on said guide shaft.

6. A heart valve implant according to claim 1 wherein said range limiting structure comprise flexible filaments.

7. A heart valve implant according to claim 6 wherein said range limiting structure comprise at least one ring.

8. A heart valve implant according to claim 6 wherein said range limiting structure comprise at least one recess.

9. A heart valve implant according to claim 1 wherein said range limiting structure comprise at least one suture ring.

10. A heart valve implant according to claim 1 wherein said valve body comprises discernible markers which can be detected radiographically during surgery.

11. A heart valve implant comprising:

a guide shaft comprising a first end and a second end;

an anchor coupled to said shaft proximate said first end;

an inflatable valve body slidably connected to said guide shaft within a predetermined range of movement; and

flexible filaments connected to said guide shaft which limit the range of movement of said valve body relative to said guide shaft.

12. A heart valve implant according to claim 11 wherein said filaments comprise ePTFE.

13. A heart valve implant according to claim 11 wherein said flexible filaments are selectively, movably connected to said guide shaft.

14. A heart valve implant according to claim 11 wherein said range of movement is adjustable.

15. A heart valve implant according to claim 11 wherein said inflatable valve body is slidably mounted on said guide shaft.

16. A heart valve implant according to claim 11 further comprising at least one ring connected to said flexible filaments and selectively, adjustable with respect to said guide shaft.

17. A method of deploying a heart valve implant in a patient comprising the steps of:

providing a heart valve implant comprising;

a guide shaft comprising a first end and a second end;

an anchor coupled to said shaft proximate said first end;

an inflatable valve body slidably connected to said guide shaft within a predetermined range of movement;

at least one range limiting structure which limits the range of movement of said valve body relative to said shaft shaft;

said range limiting structure connected to said guide shaft for changing the range of movement of said valve body relative to said guide shaft;

positioning said heart valve implant at least partially within a heart via a transcatheter venous procedure;

securing said anchor to native heart tissue; and

adjusting the range of movement of said valve body relative to said guide shaft.

18. A method of deploying a heart valve implant in a patient according to claim 17 wherein said adjusting step comprises changing the position of said range limiting structure relative to said guide shaft.