Mitral valve device using conditioned shape memory alloy
First Claim
1. A method of reshaping a mitral valve annulus comprising:
- compressing a mitral valve annuloplasty device into a catheter, the mitral valve annuloplasty device comprising a first anchor and a second anchor and a connector between said anchors, the connector comprising a spring;
placing the catheter in a lumen adjacent to the mitral valve annulus;
removing the catheter from at least part of the device and engaging the first anchor with a wall of the lumen without penetrating the lumen wall;
after the removing step and the engaging step, releasing a tensile load from a distal portion of the connector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mitral valve annulus reshaping device includes at least a portion that is formed of a biocompatible shape memory alloy SMA having a characteristic temperature, Af, that is preferably below body temperature. The device is constrained in an unstable martensite (UM) state while being introduced through a catheter that passes through the venous system and into the coronary sinus of the heart. The reshaping device is deployed adjacent to the mitral valve annulus of the heart as it is forced from the catheter. When released from the constraint of the catheter, the SMA of the device at least partially converts from the UM state to an austenitic state and attempts to change to a programmed shape that exerts a force on the adjacent tissue and modifies the shape of the annulus. The strain of the SMA can be varied when the device is within the coronary sinus.
260 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of reshaping a mitral valve annulus comprising:
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compressing a mitral valve annuloplasty device into a catheter, the mitral valve annuloplasty device comprising a first anchor and a second anchor and a connector between said anchors, the connector comprising a spring; placing the catheter in a lumen adjacent to the mitral valve annulus; removing the catheter from at least part of the device and engaging the first anchor with a wall of the lumen without penetrating the lumen wall; after the removing step and the engaging step, releasing a tensile load from a distal portion of the connector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification