Biologically implantable prosthesis methods of using

• US 7,981,153 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2005
• Issued: 07/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Drews, Michael J., Modesitt, D. Bruce, Holmgren, Neil, Fogarty, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): PREBILIC, PAUL B
• Application Number:
  US11/080,009
• Publication Number:
  US 20050240263A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,318 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1.26, 623/2.11, 623/2.33, 623/2.4, 623/904, 623/910, 623/2.38, 623/2.37
• US Class Current: 623/2.38
• 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 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0406 Pledgets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0608 J-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2409 Support rings therefor, e.g. for connecting valves to tissue annuloplasty rings A61F2/2442
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2412 with soft flexible valve members, e.g. tissue valves shaped like natural valves check valves with flexible valve members in general F16K15/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2415 Manufacturing methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2445 Annuloplasty rings in direct contact with the valve annulus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30545 for adjusting a diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0016 with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0041 using additional screws, bolts, dowels or rivets, e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0066 stapled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0075 sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/001 for adjusting a diameter
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/91 Heart

Abstract

A heart valve assembly includes a first annular prosthesis for implantation within a tissue annulus, a second valve prosthesis, and a plurality of magnets on the first and second prostheses to secure the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis. In one embodiment, the magnets are arranged to allow the second prosthesis to be secured to the first prosthesis in a predetermined angular orientation. During use, the first annular prosthesis is implanted into the annulus, and the second valve prosthesis is inserted into the annulus. The magnets orient the second prosthesis relative to the first prosthesis to align the second prosthesis with the first prosthesis in a predetermined angular orientation; and secure the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis in the predetermined angular orientation.

Claims

1. A method for implanting a heart valve prosthesis into a tissue annulus, comprising:

implanting a first annular prosthesis into the annulus;

inserting a second valve prosthesis into the annulus after implanting the first annular prosthesis; and

securely engaging the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis within the annulus using a plurality of magnets on the first and second prostheses.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second prosthesis is secured to the first prosthesis by:

orienting the second prosthesis relative to the first prosthesis to align the second prosthesis with the first prosthesis in a predetermined angular orientation; and

directing the second prosthesis into engagement with the first prosthesis to secure the second prosthesis in the predetermined angular orientation.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first prosthesis comprises a plurality of bottom magnets and the second prosthesis comprises a plurality of top magnets, a polarity of at least one of the bottom and top magnets being reversed such that the second prosthesis is oriented in the predetermined angular orientation by the bottom and top magnets as the second prosthesis is directed into engagement with the first prosthesis.

4. A method for implanting a heart valve in a tissue annulus within a patient'"'"'s heart, comprising:

positioning a first annular prosthesis within the tissue annulus in an unexpanded state;

expanding the first prosthesis to an expanded state within the tissue annulus to contact surrounding tissue;

fixing the first prosthesis to tissue surrounding the tissue annulus;

introducing a second valve prosthesis into the tissue annulus after fixing the first prosthesis; and

securing the second prosthesis relative to the first prosthesis within the tissue annulus by engaging a plurality of engagement elements on the first and second prostheses,

wherein the engagement elements comprise magnets.