Tissue annuloplasty band and apparatus and method for fashioning, sizing and implanting the same

• US 6,942,694 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2001
• Issued: 09/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ancora Heart, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Viacor, Inc.
• Inventors: Liddicoat, John R., Streeter, Richard B., Coppom, Brian Colyer
• Primary Examiner(s): McDermott, Corrine
• Assistant Examiner(s): Matthews, William H
• Application Number:
  US09/760,222
• Publication Number:
  US 20010049558A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,705 Days
• Field of Search: 623/2.36, 623/2.41, 623/2.38, 623/2.4
• US Class Current: 623/2.36
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2445 Annuloplasty rings in direct contact with the valve annulus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2448 D-shaped rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2466 Delivery devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2496 Devices for determining the dimensions of the prosthetic valve to be implanted, e.g. templates, sizers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/001 for adjusting a diameter

Abstract

This invention relates to a system used to fashion, size, and implant a tissue annuloplasty band. This system comprises (1) a device to cut tissue; (2) a device to fashion (i.e., roll, fold, bunch, etc.) the tissue into a band (i.e., the tissue annuloplasty band); and (3) a sizer that comprises an mounting ring which allows for determining and maintaining the proper size and shape of the tissue annuloplasty band while it is attached to the annulus of a heart valve. These components can be used alone, together as a system, or in any combination to fashion, size, and/or implant the tissue annuloplasty band.

Claims

1. An annuloplasty band comprising an elongated substantially solid body of overlaid layers of graft tissue, said body being of a selected length and configured to be flexed into a generally curved configuration, and the band being configured to be sutured to a valvular annulus, said band being substantially solid throughout the length thereof, and said overlaid layers being formed by spirally wound graft tissue.

2. An annuloplasty band according to claim 1 wherein said graft tissue comprises pericardium.

3. An annuloplasty band according to claim 1 wherein said graft tissue comprises autologous tissue.

4. An annuloplasty band according to claim 1 further comprising a support structure attached to said graft tissue.

5. An annuloplasty band according to claim 4 wherein said support structure is internal to said graft tissue.

6. An annuloplasty band according to claim 5 wherein said support structure comprises a centrally disposed axial structure.

7. An annuloplasty band according to claim 6 wherein said axial structure comprises an intermediate section terminating in a pair of opposing ends, and further wherein said intermediate section is flexible.

8. An annuloplasty band according to claim 7 wherein said opposing ends are elastic.

9. An annuloplasty band according to claim 7 wherein said opposing ends are adapted to connect to one another.

10. An annuloplasty band according to claim 7 wherein said axial structure is formed out of plastic.

11. An annuloplasty band according to claim 7 wherein said axial structure is formed out of metal.

12. An annuloplasty band according to claim 1 wherein at least one of an adhesive, a sealant and a medication is applied to the graft tissue.

13. An annuloplasty band according to claim 1, wherein said overlaid layers of graft tissue comprise a sheet of graft tissue rolled upon itself and tightly packed to form a generally cylindrical shape.