Annuloplasty ring and holder combination

• US 7,575,595 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2006
• Issued: 08/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
• Original Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
• Inventors: Ingle, Aaron S., Fann, Hilda Zhang, Adzich, W. Vaso
• Primary Examiner(s): SNOW, BRUCE EDWARD
• Application Number:
  US11/386,429
• Publication Number:
  US 20060217803A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,245 Days
• Field of Search: 623/2.11, 623/2.36
• US Class Current: 623/2.36
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2448 D-shaped rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2466 Delivery devices therefor

Abstract

An annuloplasty ring holder includes an angled post for improved visibility and access by the surgeon. The post may be configured to be adjusted in angle and rotation. The ring holder can include a relatively open lower template, including relatively narrow extending radial arms with short, generally arcuate ring-retaining distal portions. The invention includes placements of suture holes and cutting wells which, in combination with improved suture routing, afford the user improved access to cutting the suture that is used to retain the annuloplasty ring to the holder.

Claims

1. An annuloplasty ring and holder assembly combination, comprising:

an annuloplasty ring, the annuloplasty ring having a minor axis, a major axis, and a maximum height, the major axis being greater than the minor axis such that the ring

elongated along the major axis; and

a ring holder, the holder comprising;

a base structure;

a first knob extending from the base structure to a first knob inner edge of the annuloplasty ring, the first knob extending in a first knob direction generally along the minor axis of the annuloplasty ring; and

a second knob extending from the base structure to a second knob inner edge of the annuloplasty ring, the second knob extending in a second knob direction generally along the minor axis of the annuloplasty ring,

wherein the second knob direction is generally opposite to the first knob direction;

first and second radial arms generally extending in opposite directions from the base structure to first and second radial arm inner edges of the annuloplasty ring, the first and second radial arms terminating in first and second ring securing portions;

first and second securing sutures respectively connecting the annuloplasty ring to the first and second ring securing portions, wherein the first and second knobs contact the annuloplasty ring but are not secured thereto, the ring holder thus contacting the annuloplasty ring inner edge at four separate locations and being secured thereto at only two of those locations.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the base structure has a base width and a base height and wherein the first knob has a first knob maximum width less than the base width.

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein the base structure has a base

width and a base height, and wherein the second knob has a second knob maximum width less than the base width.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein the first knob has a first knob distal width less than the base width.

5. The combination of claim 4, wherein the second knob has a second knob distal width less than the base width.

6. The combination of claim 1, wherein the first knob has a first knob minimum distal width less than the base width.

7. The combination of claim 6, wherein the second knob has a second knob distal width less than the base width.

8. The combination of claim 1, wherein the first and second radial arms extend along the ring major axis, and the first and second ring securing portions comprise arcuate segments that respectively conform to the radial arm inner edges of the annuloplasty ring.

9. An annuloplasty ring and holder assembly combination, comprising:

an annuloplasty ring, the annuloplasty ring having a minor axis and a major axis;

a ring holder comprising a lower template structure defined by a base structure and two radially extending arms generally extending in opposite directions from the base structure to first and second radial an-n inner edges of the annuloplasty ring, the first and second radial arms terminating in first and second ring securing portions, wherein the ring holder does not contact the annuloplasty ring on both sides of the first and second ring securing portions such that they are spaced from each other around the annuloplasty ring,

wherein each of the first and second ring securing portions comprises a suture cutting well and four (4) adjoining suture holes; and

a suture line, the suture line passing through each of the four (4) adjoining suture boles, across the suture cuffing well, and within or around at least a portion of the annuloplasty ring;

and

first and second knobs respectively extending generally along the minor axis from the base structure to first and second knob inner edges of the annuloplasty ring, the ring holder thus contacting the annuloplasty ring inner edge at four separate locations and being secured thereto at only two of those locations.