Method and apparatus for tricuspid valve repair using tension
First Claim
1. Apparatus, comprising:
- a tissue anchor having a central longitudinal axis;
an adapter head coupled to a proximal portion of the tissue anchor, the adapter head being shaped so as to define an annular element;
a connecting element coupled to the proximal portion of the tissue anchor via the adapter head, the connecting element being shaped so as to provide an annular loop surrounding a portion of the adapter head, the annular loop being centered around the central longitudinal axis, the annular loop defining an opening having a diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the annular element of the adapter head such that the annular loop is axially constrained between (1) the annular element of the adapter head and (2) a proximal end of the tissue anchor; and
a flexible longitudinal member coupled to the connecting element, the annular loop of the connecting element facilitating rotation of the tissue anchor about the central longitudinal axis such that the tissue anchor can rotate about the central longitudinal axis with respect to the annular loop and the flexible longitudinal member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus is provided, including a radially-expandable percutaneous implant, a tissue anchor, and a connecting element shaped so as to provide an annular loop surrounding a proximal portion of the tissue anchor in a manner which enables rotation of the anchor about a central longitudinal axis thereof when surrounded by the annular loop. The apparatus also includes a flexible longitudinal member coupled at a first portion thereof to at least a portion of the percutaneous implant and at a second portion to the connecting element. The annular loop of the connecting element facilitates rotation of the tissue anchor about the central longitudinal axis such that the anchor can rotate about the central longitudinal axis with respect to the annular loop, the flexible longitudinal member, and the percutaneous implant. Other applications are also described.
270 Citations
36 Claims
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1. Apparatus, comprising:
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a tissue anchor having a central longitudinal axis; an adapter head coupled to a proximal portion of the tissue anchor, the adapter head being shaped so as to define an annular element; a connecting element coupled to the proximal portion of the tissue anchor via the adapter head, the connecting element being shaped so as to provide an annular loop surrounding a portion of the adapter head, the annular loop being centered around the central longitudinal axis, the annular loop defining an opening having a diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the annular element of the adapter head such that the annular loop is axially constrained between (1) the annular element of the adapter head and (2) a proximal end of the tissue anchor; and a flexible longitudinal member coupled to the connecting element, the annular loop of the connecting element facilitating rotation of the tissue anchor about the central longitudinal axis such that the tissue anchor can rotate about the central longitudinal axis with respect to the annular loop and the flexible longitudinal member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method, comprising:
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providing (a) a tissue anchor having a central longitudinal axis, (b) an adapter head coupled to a proximal portion of the tissue anchor, the adapter head being shaped so as to define an annular element, (c) a connecting element coupled to the proximal portion of the tissue anchor via the adapter head, the connecting element being shaped so as to provide an annular loop surrounding a portion of the adapter head, the annular loop being disposed coaxially with respect to the proximal portion of the tissue anchor and perpendicularly to the central longitudinal axis, the annular loop defining an opening having a diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the annular element of the adapter head such that the annular loop is axially constrained between (1) the annular element of the adapter head and (2) a proximal end of the tissue anchor, and (d) a flexible longitudinal member, which is coupled to the connecting element; delivering into a heart of a patient the tissue anchor, the adapter head, the connecting element, and the flexible longitudinal member, while the adapter head and the connecting element are coupled to the tissue anchor, and the flexible longitudinal member is coupled to the connecting element; and coupling the tissue anchor to tissue in a vicinity of the heart valve of the patient by rotating the tissue anchor with respect to the annular loop and the longitudinal member, the annular loop of the connecting element facilitating the rotating of the tissue anchor about the central longitudinal axis such that the tissue anchor can rotate about the central longitudinal axis with respect to the annular loop and the flexible longitudinal member. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method, comprising:
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providing (a) a tissue anchor having a central longitudinal axis, (b) an adapter head coupled to a proximal portion of the tissue anchor, the adapter head being shaped so as to define an annular element, (c) a connecting element coupled to the proximal portion of the tissue anchor via the adapter head, the connecting element being shaped so as to provide an annular loop surrounding a portion of the adapter head, the annular loop being disposed coaxially with respect to the proximal portion of the tissue anchor and perpendicularly to the central longitudinal axis, the annular loop defining an opening having a diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the annular element of the adapter head such that the annular loop is axially constrained between (1) the annular element of the adapter head and (2) a proximal end of the tissue anchor, and (d) a flexible longitudinal member, which is coupled to the connecting element; delivering into a heart of a patient the tissue anchor, the adapter head, the connecting element, and the flexible longitudinal member, while the adapter head and the connecting element are coupled to the tissue anchor, and the flexible longitudinal member is coupled to the connecting element; and rotating the tissue anchor with respect to the annular loop and the longitudinal member while restricting rotation of the flexible longitudinal member, the annular loop of the connecting element facilitating the rotating of the tissue anchor about the central longitudinal axis such that the tissue anchor can rotate about the central longitudinal axis with respect to the annular loop and the flexible longitudinal member. - View Dependent Claims (36)
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Specification