Flexible annuloplasty prosthesis and holder

• US 7,476,247 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2006
• Issued: 01/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Duran, Carlos G., Ryan, Timothy R, Morrow, Joseph C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Matthews; William H.
• Application Number:
  US11/401,799
• Publication Number:
  US 20070255397A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,008 Days
• Field of Search: 623/2.1, 623/2.11, 623 236- 238, 623/2.4, 623/2.41, 606/138, 606/139, 606/144, 606148-151
• US Class Current: 623/2.37
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0467 Instruments for cutting sutures surgical cutting instruments A61B17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2409 Support rings therefor, e.g. for connecting valves to tissue annuloplasty rings A61F2/2442
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2427 Devices for manipulating or deploying heart valves during implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2448 D-shaped rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2466 Delivery devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/904 Heart

Abstract

A valve repair system, preferably including an annuloplasty prosthesis and a holder for the prosthesis. The holder includes a first component having a central opening, a circumferential surface and an outwardly extending member. The annuloplasty prosthesis is located adjacent to the circumferential surface, above the outwardly extending member. The holder further includes a second component movable upwardly relative to the first holder component and includes a rigid penetrating member extending downward from the second component into the prosthesis, holding it adjacent the circumferential surface. The holder also includes a suturing guide for assisting a physician in valve repair surgery, which may be a cuttable suture extending across the central opening along a path approximating a desired line of leaflet coaption. The cuttable suture may additionally secure the first and second components to one another. The suturing guide may also be incorporated into one-piece annuloplasty prosthesis holders or into stand-alone tools that do not carry annuloplasty prostheses.

Claims

1. A method of repair of a heart valve comprising leaflets and a valve annulus, comprising:

attaching a suture to a papillary muscle;

placing a suturing guide across the valve along a desired line of leaflet coaption using an annuloplasty ring holder or ring-shaped component;

knotting the suture to the edge of one of the valve leaflets and around the suturing guide; and

removing the suturing guide from the knot.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein the placement of the suturing guide comprises placement of an annuloplasty prosthesis holder carrying the suturing guide.

3. A method of repair of a heart valve comprising leaflets and a valve annulus, comprising:

attaching a suture to a papillary muscle;

placing a suturing guide across the valve along a desired line of leaflet coaption;

knotting the suture to the edge of one of the valve leaflets and around the suturing guide;

removing the suturing guide from the knot; and

wherein the placement of the suturing guide comprises placement of a ring-shaped component carrying the suturing guide so that the suturing guide extends along the desired line of leaflet coaption.

4. A method of repair of a heart valve comprising leaflets and a valve annulus, comprising:

attaching a suture to a papillary muscle;

placing a suturing guide across the valve along a desired line of leaflet coaption;

knotting the suture to the edge of one of the valve leaflets and around the suturing guide;

removing the suturing guide from the knot; and

wherein the placement of the suturing guide comprises placement of a ring-shaped component having a central opening and having a cuttable suture comprising the suturing guide extending across the central opening so that the suturing guide extends along the desired line of leaflet coaption.

5. A method as in claim 4 wherein the removal of the suturing guide comprises cutting the cuttable suture and pulling it through the knot.