Heart valve repair apparatus and methods
First Claim
1. A device for supporting a heart valve in a patient, the heart valve including an annulus generally lying in a plane and a plurality of leaflets connected therewith and having coapting edges adapted to open and close to selectively allow and prevent blood flow, the device comprising:
- a support member configured for attachment to the heart valve annulus, and a post extending from said support member and configured to extend away from the plane of the annulus, and a connector coupled with said post and configured for attachment to at least one of said coapting edges of said leaflets.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Valve repair apparatus and methods for ensuring proper coaptation and operation of the leaflets of a heart valve. Main aspects of the disclosure relate to devices including a support member configured for attachment to the heart valve annulus, a post extending from the support member away from the plane of the annulus and a connector coupled with the post and configured for attachment to at least one of the leaflets. The various embodiments may include a replacement heart valve connected with the support member for facilitating full replacement as opposed to near repair of an existing native heart valve. Various other devices include support structure and one or more posts connected to opposite sides of the support structure and extending from one side of the valve annulus to another to modify the shape of the annulus.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A device for supporting a heart valve in a patient, the heart valve including an annulus generally lying in a plane and a plurality of leaflets connected therewith and having coapting edges adapted to open and close to selectively allow and prevent blood flow, the device comprising:
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a support member configured for attachment to the heart valve annulus, and a post extending from said support member and configured to extend away from the plane of the annulus, and a connector coupled with said post and configured for attachment to at least one of said coapting edges of said leaflets. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A device for supporting a heart valve in a patient, the heart valve including an annulus generally contained an a plane and a plurality of leaflets having coapting edges adapted to open and close to selectively allow and prevent blood flow, said leaflets being supported by a plurality of artificial or natural chords, the device comprising:
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a support member configured for attachment to the heart valve annulus, at least one post extending from said support member and configured to extend away from the plane of the annulus, and a first chord gripping member coupled with said post and configured to releasably clamp at least one of said chords at adjustable positions along the length of said one chord and thereby fixes a desired portion of the length of said one chord between said first chord gripping member and one of the coapting edges of said leaflets thereby supporting and aligning said leaflets for coaptation during operation of the valve. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification