Device and method for assessing the geometry of a heart valve
First Claim
1. A sizer for a heart valve annulus having a diameter and a contoured line of valve leaflet attachment defining a leaflet shape, the sizer comprising:
- a first substantially circular diameter sizing portion for measuring the diameter of the valve annulus; and
a second leaflet sizing portion comprising one or more arched members attached to the diameter sizing portion for assessing the leaflet shape, the leaflet sizing portion comprising one or more arched members, each of which substantially conforms to a predetermined heart valve leaflet height.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sizer for assessing the geometry of a heart valve annulus. The sizer preferably includes a circular sizing portion for measuring the diameter of the valve annulus. The sizing portion has radial spokes. The spokes are used to compare the symmetry of the commissures to the expected symmetry of a normal heart valve. The sizer preferably has one or more legs attached to the sizing portion for comparing the contour of the line of valve leaflet attachment to the expected contour of a normal heart valve having a diameter substantially equivalent to the measured diameter of the valve annulus.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A sizer for a heart valve annulus having a diameter and a contoured line of valve leaflet attachment defining a leaflet shape, the sizer comprising:
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a first substantially circular diameter sizing portion for measuring the diameter of the valve annulus; and
a second leaflet sizing portion comprising one or more arched members attached to the diameter sizing portion for assessing the leaflet shape, the leaflet sizing portion comprising one or more arched members, each of which substantially conforms to a predetermined heart valve leaflet height. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A sizer for a heart valve annulus having a diameter, a contoured line of valve leaflet attachment defining a leaflet height, and a plurality of commissures, the sizer comprising:
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a first circular diameter sizing portion for measuring the diameter of the valve annulus; and
a second leaflet sizing portion comprising one or more arched members attached to the diameter sizing portion for measuring the leaflet height wherein each arched member has a proximal end attached to the diameter sizing portion and an arced distal end having an apex, and the length of each arched member from the proximal end to the apex of the distal end is substantially equal to a predetermined leaflet height. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A sizer for a heart valve annulus having a contoured line of valve leaflet attachment defining a shape of three valve leaflets, three commissures, and a diameter, the sizer comprising:
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a first circular diameter sizing portion for measuring the diameter of the valve annulus, the diameter sizing portion comprising a plurality of radial spokes for comparing the symmetry of the commissures to the expected symmetry of a normal heart valve; and
a second leaflet sizing portion comprising three arched members attached to the diameter sizing portion for assessing the leaflet shape, each arched member comprising;
a proximal end attached to the diameter sizing portion; and
an arced distal end having an apex, wherein the length of the arched member from the proximal end to the apex of the distal end approximates the expected leaflet height of a normal heart valve having a diameter substantially equivalent to the diameter of the diameter sizing portion.
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Specification