Valve to myocardium tension members device and method

• US 6,332,893 B1
• Filed: 12/17/1997
• Issued: 12/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences LLC (Edwards Lifesciences Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Myocor, Inc. (Edwards Lifesciences Corporation)
• Inventors: Mortier, Todd J., Schweich, Cyril J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Willse, David H.
• Application Number:
  US08/992,316
• Time in Patent Office: 1,469 Days
• Field of Search: 623/2, 623/400, 623/2.1, 623/3, 623/3.1
• US Class Current: 623/2.36
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/048 for reducing heart wall tension, e.g. sutures with a pad on each extremity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2445 Annuloplasty rings in direct contact with the valve annulus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2454 Means for preventing inversion of the valve leaflets, e.g. chordae tendineae prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2457 Chordae tendineae prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2463 Implants forming part of the valve leaflets
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2487 Devices within the heart chamber, e.g. splints
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/90 Stent for heart valve

Abstract

A device for heart valve repair including at least one tension member having a first end and second end. A basal anchor is disposed at the first end of the tension member and a secondary anchor at the second end. The method includes the steps of anchoring the basal anchor proximate a heart valve and anchoring the secondary anchor at a location spaced from the valve such that the chamber geometry is altered to reduce heart wall tension and/or stress on the valve leaflets.

Claims

1. A device for repairing an in situ valve of a heart ventricle, the in situ valve having leaflets and an annulus, the device comprising:

a basal anchor configured to fixedly connect to the in situ valve;

at least one tension member configured to extend from the basal anchor to muscles of the ventricle; and

a secondary anchor configured to connect the at least one tension member to muscles of the ventricle.

2. A valve repair device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the basal anchor includes a pad.

3. The device of claim 18, wherein the basal anchor includes an annuloplasty ring.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the basal anchor includes a suture ring having a varying radius of curvature.

5. A valve replacement device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the secondary anchor includes a hook-shaped papillary muscle tissue loop.

6. A valve repair device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the secondary anchor includes a screw-shaped tissue anchor.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the basal anchor includes a pair of pads.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the basal anchor includes a crescent-shaped ring.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the basal anchor is configured to be sewn to the valve.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the basal anchor includes an extension adapted to extend through the valve and connect to the at least one tension member.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one tension member includes a pair of tension members.

12. The device of claim 11, further comprising a third tension member adapted to extend across the ventricle.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein each of the pair of tension members connects to the third tension member.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one tension member is substantially rigid.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one tension member is substantially flexible.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one tension member is configured to reduce a vertical dimension of the ventricle.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one tension member is configured to reduce a transverse radius of the ventricle.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the secondary anchor is screw-shaped.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein the secondary anchor includes a loop portion.

20. The device of claim 1, wherein the secondary anchor includes a pad configured to be placed exterior the ventricle.