Apparatus, system, and method for applying and adjusting a tensioning element to a hollow body organ

• US 7,431,692 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2006
• Issued: 10/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
• Original Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
• Inventors: Adzich, W. Vaso, Zollinger, Christopher J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marmor, II; Charles A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MATTHEWS, CHRISTINE HOPKINS
• Application Number:
  US11/371,599
• Publication Number:
  US 20070213582A1
• Time in Patent Office: 943 Days
• Field of Search: 600/16, 600/37, 623/2.1, 623/2.11, 623/2.16, 606/151, 606/138, 606/228, 128897-899
• US Class Current: 600/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0487 Suture clamps, clips or locks, e.g. for replacing suture knots; Instruments for applying or removing suture clamps, clips or locks suture anchors A61B17/0401; wound clamps or clips A61B17/08; ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0404 Buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0459 Multiple holes in the anchor through which the suture extends and locking the suture when tension is applied
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0464 for soft tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/048 for reducing heart wall tension, e.g. sutures with a pad on each extremity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06171 helically or spirally coiled for needles A61B2017/06076
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/378 using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2457 Chordae tendineae prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2487 Devices within the heart chamber, e.g. splints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30546 for adjusting elasticity, flexibility, spring rate or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0012 for adjusting elasticity, flexibility, spring rate or mechanical tension

Abstract

An adjustable support pad for adjustably holding a tensioning line used to apply tension to a body organ. The adjustable support pad can include a locking mechanism for preventing slidable movement of the tensioning element in one or both directions. The locking mechanism may include spring-loaded locks, rotatable cam-like structures, and/or rotatable spool structures. The adjustable support pad may be formed from rigid, semi-rigid, and/or flexible materials, and may be formed to conform to the outer surface of a body organ. The adjustable support pad can be configured to adjustably hold one or more separate tensioning lines, and to provide for independent adjustment of one or more tensioning lines or groups thereof.

Claims

1. A method of replacing chordae tendineae in a heart, comprising:

securing a first portion of a first replacement chordae tendon to a first heart valve leaflet;

securing a first adjustable support pad to the heart, wherein the first adjustable support pad includes a locking mechanism configured to slidingly receive the first replacement chordae tendon in a first direction with respect to the first adjustable support pad, and to prevent the first replacement chordae tendon from sliding in a second direction with respect to the first adjustable support pad, wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction;

slidingly securing a second portion of the first replacement chordae tendon to the first adjustable support pad; and

adjusting tension in the first replacement chordae tendon by slidingly moving the first replacement chordae tendon in a first direction with respect to the adjustable support pad.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjustable support pad comprises compressible material, and further comprising:

creating a hole in the compressible material using a suturing needle; and

passing the first replacement chordae tendon through the compressible material using the suturing needle.

3. The method of claim 1, comprising:

monitoring the function of the heart valve while the heart is beating.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein adjusting the tension in the first replacement chordae tendon happens concurrently with monitoring the function of the heart valve.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein monitoring the function of the heart valve comprises monitoring via echocardiography.