Inflatable Transcatheter Intracardiac Devices And Methods For Treating Incompetent Atrioventricular Valves

• US 20180000581A1
• Filed: 09/18/2017
• Published: 01/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: George Kramer
• Original Assignee: George Kramer
• Inventors: Kramer, George
• Granted Patent: US 11,559,399 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 guide shaft proximate said first end;

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

at least one range limiting structure connected to said guide shaft for changing the range of movement of said inflatable valve body relative to said guide shaft, said range limiting structure comprising at least one filament connected to said guide shaft and connected to said inflatable valve body.

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 predetermined range of movement of said inflatable valve body relative to said guide shaft.

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

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

6. A heart valve implant according to claim 1 wherein said range limiting structure comprises an attachment ring which is selectively movable relative to said guide shaft.

7. A heart valve implant according to claim 6 wherein said guide shaft comprises at least one recess adapted to receive said attachment ring.

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

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

10. A heart valve implant according to claim 1 wherein said range limiting structure comprises a plurality of filaments.

11. A heart valve implant according to claim 1 wherein said range limiting structure comprises:

a first filament formed into a ring having an internal dimension which is less than said outer dimension of said inflatable valve body,

at least one proximal filament which is connected to said guide shaft and to said first filament for limiting the movement of said first filament in the distal direction, and

at least one distal filament which is connected to said guide shaft and to said first filament for limiting the movement of said first filament in the proximal direction.

12. A heart valve implant according to claim 11 wherein said at least one proximal filament is directly connected to said guide shaft in a distal direction and said at least one distal filament is directly connected to said guide shaft in a proximal direction.

13. A heart valve implant according to claim 11 wherein said range limiting structure is configured for the in situ adjustment of said at least one proximal filament and of said at least one distal filament relative to said guide shaft in order to adjust the range of movement of said inflatable valve body relative to said guide shaft.

14. A heart valve implant according to claim 1 wherein said at least one filament comprises a flexible ePTFE suture material.

15. A heart valve implant comprising:

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

an anchor coupled to said guide shaft proximate said first end;

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

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

16. A heart valve implant according to claim 15 wherein said plurality of flexible filaments comprise ePTFE suture material.

17. A heart valve implant according to claim 15 wherein said plurality of flexible filaments are selectively, movably connected to said guide shaft.

18. A heart valve implant according to claim 15 wherein said range of movement is adjustable.

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

20. A heart valve implant according to claim 15 further comprising at least one attachment ring connected to said flexible filaments and selectively, adjustable with respect to said guide shaft.

21. A heart valve implant according to claim 15 wherein said inflatable valve body is tapered on at least one end.

22. A heart valve implant according to claim 21 wherein said inflatable valve body is tapered on both ends.

23. 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, said valve body comprising an outer dimension;

at least one range limiting structure connected to said guide shaft and said inflatable valve body for changing the range of movement of said valve body relative to said guide shaft, comprising at least one filament;

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 inflatable valve body relative to said guide shaft.

24. A method of deploying a heart valve implant in a patient according to claim 23 wherein said adjusting step comprises changing the position of said range limiting structure relative to said guide shaft.