Leaflet suturing
First Claim
1. A suturing tool for suturing valve leaflets comprising:
- an outer shaft having a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end;
first and second needle receptacles comprising channels disposed in a sidewall of the outer shaft proximate the distal end thereof;
an inner shaft having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a central region and a distal region, the distal region having a circumference, said inner shaft slidably disposed within said lumen;
first and second needles removably coupled to said inner shaft and received within said first and second receptacles, said first and second needles linearly movable relative to the outer shaft in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis;
suture thread attached to the first and second needles;
first and second leaflet receptacles formed between the needles and an outer wall of the inner shaft, the leaflet receptacles receiving the leaflets; and
first and second needle catches coupled to the outer shaft near the distal end thereof, wherein each of the needle catches comprise a detent mechanism that cooperates with one of the needles so as to capture the needle, and wherein the captured needle is released from the inner shaft when the outer shaft is retracted proximally relative to the inner shaft, thereby drawing each needle and a portion of the suture through the leaflets.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The methods, devices, and systems are provided for performing endovascular repair of atrioventricular and other cardiac valves in the heart. Regurgitation of an atrioventricular valve, particularly a mitral valve, can be repaired by modifying a tissue structure selected from the valve leaflets, the valve annulus, the valve chordae, and the papillary muscles. These structures may be modified by suturing, stapling, snaring, or shortening, using interventional tools which are introduced to a heart chamber. Preferably, the tissue structures will be temporarily modified prior to permanent modification. For example, opposed valve leaflets may be temporarily grasped and held into position prior to permanent attachment.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A suturing tool for suturing valve leaflets comprising:
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an outer shaft having a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end; first and second needle receptacles comprising channels disposed in a sidewall of the outer shaft proximate the distal end thereof; an inner shaft having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a central region and a distal region, the distal region having a circumference, said inner shaft slidably disposed within said lumen; first and second needles removably coupled to said inner shaft and received within said first and second receptacles, said first and second needles linearly movable relative to the outer shaft in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; suture thread attached to the first and second needles; first and second leaflet receptacles formed between the needles and an outer wall of the inner shaft, the leaflet receptacles receiving the leaflets; and first and second needle catches coupled to the outer shaft near the distal end thereof, wherein each of the needle catches comprise a detent mechanism that cooperates with one of the needles so as to capture the needle, and wherein the captured needle is released from the inner shaft when the outer shaft is retracted proximally relative to the inner shaft, thereby drawing each needle and a portion of the suture through the leaflets. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification