Post-operative adjustment tool, minimally invasive attachment apparatus, and adjustable tricuspid ring

• US 8,778,021 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2010
• Issued: 07/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Cartledge, Richard G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tyson, Melanie
• Assistant Examiner(s): Scherbel, Todd J
• Application Number:
  US12/875,464
• Publication Number:
  US 20110196480A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,411 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1.37, 623/2.37
• US Class Current: 623/2.37
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12 for ligaturing or otherwise compressing tubular parts of the body, e.g. blood vessels, umbilical cord specially adapted for vas deferens or fallopian tubes A61F6/20; materials for ligaturing blood vessels A61L17/00
• 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 2/2445 Annuloplasty rings in direct contact with the valve annulus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2466 Delivery devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0016 with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0004 adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0079 Pyloric or esophageal obstructions

Abstract

An implantable device system for controlling the dimensions of internal anatomic passages corrects physiologic dysfunctions resulting from a structural lumen which is either too large or too small. Implantable devices are disclosed which employ various mechanisms for adjusting and maintaining the size of an orifice to which they are attached. Systems permit the implants to be implanted using minimally invasive procedures and permit final adjustments to the dimensions of the implants after the resumption of normal flow of anatomic fluids in situ.

Claims

1. An implantable device system for controlling at least one of a shape and size of an anatomical structure or lumen, comprising:

an implantable device adapted for attachment to an anatomical structure or lumen, said implantable device comprising an adjustable member configured to adjust at least one of a shape and size of the implantable device;

an adjustment tool configured to be coupled to the adjustable member such that the adjustment tool can be used to activate and control adjustment of the implantable device;

an attachment mechanism coupled to the implantable device and configured to attach the implantable device to the anatomical structure or lumen, and wherein the attachment mechanism permits repeated repositioning of the implantable device with respect to the anatomical structure or lumen, the attachment mechanism comprising;

a resilient layer having first and second opposing surfaces;

a moveable retainer ring guide supported on the first surface of the resilient layer adjacent the implantable device;

a plurality of retainers attached to the retainer ring guide and extending into the resilient layer, whereby compression of the resilient layer by movement of the retainer ring guide causes a portion of the retainers to extend outwardly beyond the second surface of the resilient layer; and

a rigid retainer guide positioned adjacent the second surface of the resilient layer for receiving an end of one of the retainers, the retainer guide configured as a stop member for limiting a distance between the second surface of the resilient layer and the retainer ring guide upon compression of the resilient layer by the retainer ring guide.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the retainers can be deployed into the anatomical structure or lumen upon compression of the resilient layer.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the retainers can be retracted out of the anatomical structure or lumen such that the implantable device can be repositioned.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the implantable device is constructed so that it conforms to a surface of the anatomical structure or lumen when attached to the anatomical structure or lumen.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to attach the implantable device to the anatomical structure or lumen in a minimally invasive manner.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the retainers includes a barb adapted to engage the anatomical structure or lumen.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism is contained in a lower compartment adjacent the implantable device.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the resilient layer comprises a foam layer.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the retainers are pre-stressed, whereby the retainers assume a spiral shape when extending outwardly beyond the second surface of the resilient layer.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one of the retainers includes a barb adapted to engage the anatomical structure or lumen.

11. An implantable device system for controlling at least one of a shape and size of an anatomical structure or lumen, comprising:

an adjustable implantable device adapted to adjust at least one of the shape and size of an anatomical structure or lumen;

an adjustment tool configured to be coupled to the implantable device for adjusting at least one of a shape and size of the implantable device; and

an attachment assembly coupled to the implantable device, the attachment assembly comprising a resilient layer having first and second opposing surfaces, a moveable retainer ring guide supported on the first surface of the resilient layer adjacent the adjustable implantable device, a plurality of retainers attached to the retainer ring guide and extending into the resilient layer, whereby compression of the resilient layer by movement of the retainer ring guide causes an end portion of the retainers to extend outwardly beyond the second surface of the resilient layer, and a rigid retainer guide positioned adjacent the second surface of the resilient layer for receiving an end of one of the retainers, the retainer guide configured as a stop member for limiting a distance between the second surface of the resilient layer and the retainer ring guide upon compression of the resilient layer by the retainer ring guide.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the retainers includes a barb adapted to engage the anatomical structure or lumen.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the resilient layer comprises a foam layer.