Implant having multiple rotational assemblies

• US 8,858,623 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2012
• Issued: 10/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valtech Cardio Ltd (Edwards Lifesciences Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Valtech Cardio Ltd (Edwards Lifesciences Corporation)
• Inventors: Miller, Eran, Reich, Tal, Gross, Amir, Sheps, Tal, Cabiri, Oz
• Primary Examiner(s): STEWART, ALVIN J
• Application Number:
  US13/666,262
• Publication Number:
  US 20130116780A1
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 623 236- 242, 623/2.11
• US Class Current: 623/2.36
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2445 Annuloplasty rings in direct contact with the valve annulus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2448 D-shaped rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2454 Means for preventing inversion of the valve leaflets, e.g. chordae tendineae prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2457 Chordae tendineae prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2466 Delivery devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/001 for adjusting a diameter

Abstract

Apparatus is provided, comprising (1) an annuloplasty structure, shaped to define a perimeter, and configured to be disposed at the annulus of the native valve of the patient; (2) a first adjusting mechanism, coupled to the annuloplasty structure, and configured to adjust the perimeter; (3) at least one longitudinal flexible member, having a first end portion, and a second end portion that is configured to be coupled to tissue of the ventricle of the heart of the patient; and (4) at least a second adjusting mechanism, coupled to the annuloplasty structure such that the second adjusting mechanism is slidable around at least part of the perimeter, coupled to the first end portion of the longitudinal flexible member, and configured to adjust a distance between the second adjusting mechanism and the second end portion of the longitudinal flexible member. Other embodiments are also described.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use with a native valve of a heart of a patient, the native valve having a valve annulus, and the heart having a ventricle, the apparatus comprising:

an annuloplasty structure, shaped to define a perimeter, and configured to be disposed at the annulus of the native valve of the patient, the annuloplasty structure comprising;

a body portion that defines a lumen therethrough; and

a flexible longitudinal contracting member, having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion between the first and second end portions, the middle portion being disposed within the lumen of the bod portion;

a first adjusting mechanism, coupled to the annuloplasty structure, and configured to adjust the perimeter of the annuloplasty structure, wherein at least one of the end portions of the flexible longitudinal contracting member is coupled to the first adjusting mechanism;

at least one longitudinal flexible member, having a first end portion, and a second end portion that is configured to be coupled to tissue of the ventricle of the heart of the patient; and

at least a second adjusting mechanism;

coupled to the annuloplasty structure such that the second adjusting mechanism is slidable around at least part of the perimeter of the annuloplasty structure,

coupled to the first end portion of the at least one longitudinal flexible member, and

configured to adjust a distance between the second adjusting mechanism and the second end portion of the at least one longitudinal flexible member.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the annuloplasty structure comprises a partial annuloplasty ring.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the annuloplasty structure comprises a full annuloplasty ring.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first adjusting mechanism is configured to reversibly adjust the perimeter of the annuloplasty structure, and wherein the second adjusting mechanism is configured to reversibly adjust the distance between the second adjusting mechanism and the second end portion of the at least one longitudinal flexible member.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second adjusting mechanism is configured to adjust the distance between the second adjusting mechanism and the second end portion of the at least one longitudinal flexible member, independently of the adjusting of the perimeter of the annuloplasty structure by the first adjusting mechanism.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first adjusting mechanism comprises a first rotatable adjusting mechanism, and wherein the second adjusting mechanism comprises a second rotatable adjusting mechanism.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first rotatable adjusting mechanism and the second rotatable adjusting mechanism are both rotatable bidirectionally.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a rotation tool, configured to rotate the first rotatable adjusting mechanism.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein at least the first adjusting mechanism comprises a locking mechanism:

having an unlocked state in which the first adjusting mechanism is adjustable,

having a locked state in which the locking mechanism inhibits adjustment of the first adjusting mechanism, and

configured to be intracorporeally moved from the locked state to the unlocked state.

10. Apparatus for use with a native valve of a heart of a patient, the native valve having a valve annulus, and the heart having a ventricle, the apparatus comprising:

an annuloplasty structure, shaped to define a perimeter, and configured to be disposed at the annulus of the native valve of the patient, the annuloplasty structure comprising;

a body portion that defines a lumen therethrough; and

a flexible longitudinal contracting member, having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion between the first and second end portions, the middle portion being disposed within the lumen of the body portion;

a first adjusting mechanism, coupled to the annuloplasty structure, and configured to reversibly adjust the perimeter of the annuloplasty structure, wherein at least one of the end portions of the flexible longitudinal contracting member is coupled to the first adjusting mechanism;

at least one longitudinal flexible member, having a first end portion, and a second end portion that is configured to be coupled to tissue of the ventricle of the heart of the patient; and

at least a second adjusting mechanism, coupled to the annuloplasty structure and to the first end portion of the at least one longitudinal flexible member, and configured to reversibly adjust a distance between the second adjusting mechanism and the second end portion of the at least one longitudinal flexible member.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the annuloplasty structure has a first end and a second end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, and wherein the second adjusting mechanism is movable along the longitudinal axis of the annuloplasty structure.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first adjusting mechanism is movably coupled to the annuloplasty structure.

13. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the second adjusting mechanism is configured to reversibly adjust the distance between the second adjusting mechanism and the second end portion of the at least one longitudinal flexible member, independently of the reversible adjusting of the perimeter of the annuloplasty structure by the first adjusting mechanism.

14. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first adjusting mechanism comprises a first rotatable adjusting mechanism, and wherein the second adjusting mechanism comprises a second rotatable adjusting mechanism.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first rotatable adjusting mechanism and the second rotatable adjusting mechanism are both rotatable bidirectionally.

16. The apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a rotation tool, configured to rotate the first rotatable adjusting mechanism.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein at least the first adjusting mechanism comprises a locking mechanism:

having an unlocked state in which the first adjusting mechanism is adjustable,

having a locked state in which the locking mechanism inhibits adjustment of the first adjusting mechanism, and

configured to be intracorporeally moved from the locked state to the unlocked state.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the first rotation tool is configured to intracorporeally move the first rotatable adjusting mechanism into the unlocked configuration thereof.