Methods and devices for improving mitral valve function

• US 6,723,038 B1
• Filed: 10/06/2000
• Issued: 04/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences LLC (Edwards Lifesciences Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Myocor, Inc. (Edwards Lifesciences Corporation)
• Inventors: Vidlund, Robert M., Schweich, Cyril J. Jr., Kalgreen, Jason E., Schroeder, Richard F., Mortler, Todd J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jastrzab, Jeffrey R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Oropeza, Frances P.
• Application Number:
  US09/680,435
• Time in Patent Office: 1,292 Days
• Field of Search: 600/16-18, 600/37, 600/437, 600/443, 600/445, 600/449, 600/450, 601/11, 601/153, 623/3.11, 623/1.24, 623/1.26, 623/2.14, 623/2.36, 623/2.37, 128/897
• US Class Current: 600/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1227 Spring clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0404 Buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/048 for reducing heart wall tension, e.g. sutures with a pad on each extremity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2481 Devices outside the heart wall, e.g. bags, strips or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2487 Devices within the heart chamber, e.g. splints

Abstract

Devices and related methods for treating heart conditions, including, for example, dilatation, valve incompetencies, including mitral valve leakage, and other heart failure conditions, may operate to assist in the apposition of heart valve leaflets to improve valve function. A method for improving the function of a valve of a heart includes placing an elongate member transverse a heart chamber so that each end of the elongate member extends through a wall of the heart, and placing first and second anchoring members external the chamber. The first and second anchoring members are attached to first and second ends of the elongate member to fix the elongate member in a position across the chamber so as to reposition papillary muscles within the chamber. A method of treating the valve may include real-time monitoring the valve function and adjusting the device based on data obtained during the real-time monitoring.

Claims

1. A method for improving the function of a valve of a heart, comprising:

placing a device relative to the heart so as to contact cardiac structure other than structure of the valve and so as to alter a shape of the valve;

real-time monitoring valve function; and

adjusting the device relative to the heart based on data obtained during the adjusting from the real-time monitoring of valve function,

wherein the real-time monitoring includes ultrasound imaging the valve.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the device is a splint.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the device is a splint and adjusting the splint includes changing a distance between at least two portions of the splint that contact respective portions of the heart.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising deforming a wall of the heart and real-time monitoring valve function during the deforming.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein deforming the wall includes deforming the wall via a probe device.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising positioning the device relative to the heart based on the real-time monitoring of valve function during the deforming.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning the device relative to the heart based on the real-time monitoring of valve function.

8. A method for improving the function of a valve of a heart, comprising:

placing a device relative to the heart such that at least part of the device is external to the heart and such that the device alters a shape of the valve;

real-time monitoring valve function; and

adjusting the device relative to the heart based on data obtained during the adjusting from the real-time monitoring of valve function,

wherein the real-time monitoring includes ultrasound imaging the valve.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the device is a splint.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the device is a splint and adjusting the splint includes changing a distance between at least two portions of the splint that contact respective portions of the heart.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising deforming a wall of the heart and real-time monitoring valve function during the deforming.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein deforming the wall includes deforming the wall via a probe device.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising positioning the device relative to the heart based on the real-time monitoring of valve function during the deforming.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising positioning the device relative to the heart based on the real-time monitoring of valve function.