Heart valve leaflet locator
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of assessing the functionality of a heart valve, comprising the steps of:
- positioning a device within the valve, the device being conformable for conforming to the coaption axis of the valve and moveable in response to opening and closing of the valve; and
observing the device when the valve is closed, to determine the spatial orientation of the coaptation axis for evaluating valve function.
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Abstract
Disclosed are methods and devices for determining valve leaflet orientation. A catheter is provided with a conformable, radiopaque target. The target is deployed within a valve, such as the mitral valve. The conformable target conforms to the coaptation axis in response to closing of the valve leaflets. That coaptation axis may then be visualized, and utilized to determine information about valve operation, or to assist in placement of devices in the vicinity of the valve.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of assessing the functionality of a heart valve, comprising the steps of:
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positioning a device within the valve, the device being conformable for conforming to the coaption axis of the valve and moveable in response to opening and closing of the valve; and observing the device when the valve is closed, to determine the spatial orientation of the coaptation axis for evaluating valve function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12)
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6. A method of determining leaflet orientation of a mitral valve, comprising the steps of:
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advancing the distal end of a catheter through the left ventricle to a position adjacent the mitral valve; deploying a radiopaque target from the distal end of the catheter to a location within the mitral valve, the radiopaque target being sufficiently conformable to reconfigure in response to opening and closing of the mitral valve; and observing the alignment of the radiopaque target in response to closing of the mitral valve. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of assessing the functionality of a valve, comprising the steps of:
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providing a conformable target, the conformable target having a primary axis and configured to conform to the coaption axis of the valve during opening and closing of the valve; positioning the conformable target within the valve; visualizing the target along a viewing axis which is transverse to the primary axis, in the vicinity of the valve; and observing the orientation of the target when the valve is open and closed for assessing the functionality of the valve.
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Specification