Apparatus for attachment of heart valve holder to heart valve prosthesis

• US 5,628,789 A
• Filed: 09/11/1995
• Issued: 05/13/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: St Jude Medical Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: St Jude Medical Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Vanney, Guy P., Krueger, Kurt D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Willse, David H.
• Application Number:
  US08/526,528
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 623/2, 623/900
• US Class Current: 623/2.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2427 Devices for manipulating or deploying heart valves during implantation

Abstract

A device for engaging a heart valve prosthesis during implantation includes a mechanism for attaching the device to the heart valve prosthesis. The heart valve prosthesis includes a circular valve body having an annulus with a substantially annular aperture therein. At least one movable occluder is carried in the aperture and is movable between an open position and a closed position. The attachment mechanism includes a member which couples to the circular valve body thereby affixing the device to the heart valve prosthesis. The thickness of the device which extends in a direction above the heart valve prosthesis is reduced. The device is selectively removable from the heart valve prosthesis following implantation of the prosthesis in the heart tissue annulus of a patient.

Claims

1. An apparatus for holding a heart valve prosthesis during implantation, the heart valve prosthesis including a heart valve prosthesis body forming an annulus carrying a movable occluder therein, the apparatus comprising:

a low profile holder body having an engaging side including a lip portion for abutting the heart valve prosthesis body and a top substantially flat side opposite the engaging side, the holder body sized to extend above the heart valve prosthesis body a distance which is less than a thickness of the heart valve prosthesis body;

an interior surface of the holder body substantially conforming to the moveable occluder when the moveable occluder is in a closed position, thereby maintaining the moveable occluder in a substantially closed position such that the prosthesis body protects the moveable occluder during implantation;

an elongated portion coupled to the holder body sized to extend into the annulus of the prosthesis body and generally conform to the annulus thereby positioning the holder adjacent the prosthesis body; and

at least one suture opening in the holder body for receiving a suture therethrough with the suture extending around the prosthesis body to thereby secure the heart valve prosthesis to the holder body.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elongated portion includes a suture hole for receiving the suture therethrough.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elongated portion includes a distal portion sized to extend beyond an edge of the prosthesis body opposite the lip portion, the distal portion providing additional protection to the moveable occluder.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes a second suture opening for receiving a second suture therethrough which extends around the prosthesis body to secure the heart valve prosthesis to the holder body.