Percutaneous aortic valve

• US 8,167,935 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2010
• Issued: 05/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: REX Medical LP
• Original Assignee: REX Medical LP
• Inventors: McGuckin, James F. Jr., Hinchliffe, Peter W. J.
• Primary Examiner(s): GHERBI, SUZETTE JAIME J
• Application Number:
  US12/880,456
• Publication Number:
  US 20110004300A1
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 623 21- 239
• US Class Current: 623/2.37
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• 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 2/2421 with non-pivoting rigid closure members
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2436 Deployment by retracting a sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0091 helically-coiled or spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2-D spiral cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/904 Heart

Abstract

The present invention provides a valve configured for insertion on the proximal and distal sides of a heart valve annulus to replace the heart valve of a patient. The valve comprises a first substantially annular portion adapted to be positioned on a proximal side of the annulus of a patient and a second substantially annular portion adapted to be positioned on a distal side of the annulus of a patient, wherein at least one of the first and second substantially annular portions is movable towards the other portion to a clamped position to clamp around the annulus. The second portion has a flow restricting portion extending therefrom and is movable between a first position to permit the flow of blood and a second position to restrict the flow of blood. In one embodiment, the valve has a suture joining the first and second portions to draw the first and second portions into closer proximity and a cinch member to secure the suture to maintain the first and second portions in the clamped position. In another embodiment, the first and second portions are connected by a first segment which biases the first and second portions toward the clamped position.

Claims

1. A valve configured for minimally invasive insertion on the proximal and distal sides of a heart valve annulus to replace the heart valve of a patient, the valve comprising:

a first substantially annular portion adapted to be positioned on a first side of the annulus of a patient;

a second substantially annular portion adapted to be positioned on a second side of the annulus of a patient, at least one of the first and second substantially annular portions being movable towards the other portion to a clamped position to clamp around the annulus, the first and second substantially annular portions contained in an elongated reduced profile condition in a delivery position, the second substantially annular portion having a movable flow restricting portion extending therefrom, the flow restricting portion including a plurality of leaflets extending from the second portion in a direction away from the first portion, the leaflets extending circumferentially around the second portion and foldable inwardly towards a convergence region to restrict blood flow and movable outwardly to an open position to permit blood flow, the leaflets compressible to a reduced profile condition in a delivery position.

2. The valve of claim 1, wherein the leaflets are foldable inwardly towards a convergence region at the midpoint of the second portion so the convergence region is concentric with a centerline of the second portion to restrict blood flow.

3. The valve of claim 1, wherein the leaflets are foldable inwardly towards a convergence region offset from a midpoint of the second portion so the convergence region is eccentric with a centerline of the second portion to restrict blood flow.

4. The valve of claim 1, wherein end portions of the leaflets are curved.

5. The valve of claim 1, wherein the leaflets converge in a partially overlapping spiral like configuration.

6. The valve of claim 1, wherein the plurality of leaflets comprises three leaflets forming a tricuspid valve.

7. The valve of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first and second portions lie in parallel planes.

8. The valve of claim 1, wherein the flow restricting portion further includes a membrane joining adjacent leaflets to cooperate with the leaflets to restrict blood flow when the leaflets are in the closed position.

9. The valve of claim 8, wherein the membrane extends around the entire periphery of the leaflets.

10. The valve of claim 8, wherein the leaflets have a thicker portion at a portion closer to the second portion and the membrane has a thinner portion at a portion further from the second portion.

11. The valve of claim 8, further comprising metallic struts embedded in the membrane.

12. The valve of claim 2, wherein the flow restricting portion further includes a membrane joining adjacent leaflets to cooperate with the leaflets to restrict blood flow when the leaflets are in the closed position.

13. The valve of claim 3, wherein the flow restricting portion further includes a membrane joining adjacent leaflets to cooperate with the leaflets to restrict blood flow when the leaflets are in the closed position.

14. The valve of claim 1, wherein adjacent leaflets overlap in the closed position to restrict blood flow.

15. The valve of claim 1, wherein the leaflets are substantially triangular in configuration.