System for minimally invasive insertion of a bioprosthetic heart valve

• US 6,569,196 B1
• Filed: 06/19/2000
• Issued: 05/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Original Assignee: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Inventors: Vesely, Ivan
• Primary Examiner(s): McDermott, Corrine
• Assistant Examiner(s): STEWART, ALVIN J
• Application Number:
  US09/597,918
• Time in Patent Office: 1,072 Days
• Field of Search: 623/2.12, 623/2.13, 623/2.17, 623/1.26, 623/1.24, 623/1.25
• US Class Current: 623/2.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2944 Translation of jaw members
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2409 Support rings therefor, e.g. for connecting valves to tissue annuloplasty rings A61F2/2442
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2412 with soft flexible valve members, e.g. tissue valves shaped like natural valves check valves with flexible valve members in general F16K15/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/243 Deployment by mechanical expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0059 temporary
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/006 modular

Abstract

A system for minimally invasive insertion of a bioprosthetic heart valve. The system includes a collapsible tissue-based valve system, a catheter-based valve delivery system, a surgical platform and a device tracking and visualization system. The collapsible valve system includes: (i) a permanent outer frame (10) that is affixed to the patient using conventional sutures or staples, and (ii) a collapsible valve (20) having a collapsible inner frame (21) that mates with the outer frame (10), and supports valve leaflets (13). The inner frame (21) is moved to a collapsed position and located at the previously installed outer frame (10). The inner frame (21) is then expanded to lock the inner frame (21) to the outer frame (10). The inner frame (21) may be re-collapsed and disengaged from the outer frame (10). A new collapsible valve (20) is then installed, to resume the function of the prosthesis.

Claims

1. A heart valve system comprising:

first frame means attachable to tissue; and

second frame means engageable and disengageable with said first frame means, wherein said second frame means includes a plurality of articulated segments, said second frame means movable between an expanded position to engage with the first frame means and a collapsed position to disengage from the first frame means.

2. A heart valve system according to claim 1, wherein said second frame means supports occluding means movable between an occluded position and an open position.

3. A heart valve system according to claim 2, wherein said occluding means includes at least one leaflet occluder.

4. A heart valve system according to claim 3, wherein said leaflet occluder includes biological tissue.

5. A heart valve system according to claim 3, wherein said leaflet occluder includes bovine pericardium.

6. A heart valve system according to claim 1, wherein said articulated segments are rigid.

7. A heart valve system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of articulated segments includes a projection member for facilitating the movement of said second frame means between said expanded position and said collapsed position.

8. A heart valve system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of articulated segments define a first outer diameter when said second frame means is moved to said collapsed position, and define a second outer diameter when said second frame means is moved to said expanded position, said first outer diameter being less than said second outer diameter.

9. A heart valve system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of articulated segments articulate by pin joints.

10. A heart valve system according to claim 1, wherein said articulated segments articulate by flexible strips.

11. A heart valve system according to claim 1, wherein said articulated segments articulate by ball and socket joints.

12. A heart valve system according to claim 1, wherein said first frame means includes a rigid member having interface means for reversibly engaging said second frame means therewith.

13. A heart valve system according to claim 12, wherein said interface means includes a groove member for receiving at least a portion of said second frame means when said second frame means is in the expanded position.

14. A heart valve system according to claim 1, wherein said first frame means includes attachment means for attaching said first frame means to said tissue.

15. A heart valve system according to claim 14, wherein said attachment means includes a sewing ring.

16. A valve system comprising:

first frame means attachable to bodily tissue;

second frame means engageable and disengageable with said first frame means, wherein said second frame means is movable between an expanded position to engage with the first frame means, said a collapsed position to disengage from the first frame means; and

valve means supported by said second frame means.

17. A valve system according to claim 16, wherein said valve means includes biological tissue.