Devices and methods for heart valve treatment
First Claim
1. A device for improving heart valve function, the device comprising:
- a first anchor;
a second member anchor;
a flexible member configured to connect the first and second anchors, the flexible member being further configured to be positioned adjacent an external surface of a heart wall; and
at least one inflatable protrusion configured to be positioned in contact with an external surface of the heart wall such that the at least one protrusion exerts an inward force against the heart wall proximate a valve,wherein the inward force is sufficient to alter valve function.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices and methods for improving the function of a valve (e.g., mitral valve) by positioning a spacing filling device outside and adjacent the heart wall such that the device applies an inward force against the heart wall acting on the valve. A substantially equal and opposite force may be provided by securing the device to the heart wall, and/or a substantially equal and opposite outward force may be applied against anatomical structure outside the heart wall. The inward force is sufficient to change the function of the valve, and may increase coaptation of the leaflets, for example. The space filling device may be implanted by a surgical approach, a transthoracic approach, or a transluminal approach, for example. The space filling portion may be delivered utilizing a delivery catheter navigated via the selected approach, and the space filling portion may be expandable between a smaller delivery configuration and a larger deployed configuration.
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Citations
52 Claims
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1. A device for improving heart valve function, the device comprising:
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a first anchor; a second member anchor; a flexible member configured to connect the first and second anchors, the flexible member being further configured to be positioned adjacent an external surface of a heart wall; and at least one inflatable protrusion configured to be positioned in contact with an external surface of the heart wall such that the at least one protrusion exerts an inward force against the heart wall proximate a valve, wherein the inward force is sufficient to alter valve function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for improving heart valve function, the method comprising:
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providing a device comprising a first anchor, a second anchor, a flexible member connecting the first and second anchors, and at least one inflatable protrusion between the first and second anchors positioning the flexible member adjacent an external surface of a heart wall; and positioning the at least one inflatable protrusion in contact with an external surface of the heart wall such that the at least one inflatable protrusion exerts an inward force against the heart wall proximate a valve, wherein the inward force is sufficient to alter valve function. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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Specification