Methods of reducing retrograde flow

• US 9,101,468 B2
• Filed: 11/27/2012
• Issued: 08/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies, LLC (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies, LLC (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Agnew, Charles W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sharma, Yashita
• Application Number:
  US13/686,038
• Publication Number:
  US 20130079868A1
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1.24, 623/2.12, 623/2.13, 623/2.16, 623/23.68, 623/2.14, 623/2.17, 623/2.18, 623 2364- 237
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 2/2418 Scaffolds therefor, e.g. support stents
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2475 Venous valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0008 Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0016 with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/005 using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0066 stapled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0026 trapezoidal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0095 Saddle-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2240/001 Designing or manufacturing processes

Abstract

Methods of reducing retrograde fluid flow through a valve within a body vessel are provided. The methods can include the steps of identifying a valve exhibiting an undesirable amount of retrograde fluid flow within a body vessel, such as a venous valve or a heart valve, and providing a means for reducing the retrograde fluid flow. A medical device providing a desired amount of retrograde fluid flow can be modified after permitting the medical device to remain in a body cavity for a remodeling-effective time period. The implanted medical device can be modified by subsequently reducing the amount of retrograde fluid flow permitted across the implanted prosthetic valve within the body vessel.

Claims

1. A method of reducing retrograde flow across a valve within a body cavity, comprising:

identifying a natural valve having a normal operation in which the valve permits fluid flow through said body cavity in a primary direction while substantially preventing fluid flow through said body cavity in the opposite retrograde direction, and having a leaflet defining a retrograde aperture in a portion of a leaflet surface area that permits retrograde fluid flow across the valve;

providing an occluding device comprising a remodelable material;

implanting the occluding device in contact with at least a portion of the natural valve to block fluid flow through the retrograde aperture.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the remodelable material is an extracellular matrix material.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the extracellular matrix material comprises small intestine submucosa.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the natural valve is a heart valve.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the natural valve is a venous valve.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the occluding device comprises an expandable frameless ring of remodelable material.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the occluding device further comprises an expandable support frame attached to the remodelable material.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the expandable support frame comprises a self expanding support frame.

9. A method of reducing retrograde flow across a venous valve in a body cavity, comprising:

identifying an incompetent natural venous valve having a normal operation in which the valve permits fluid flow through said body cavity in a primary direction while substantially preventing fluid flow through said body cavity in the opposite retrograde direction, and having a leaflet defining a retrograde aperture in a portion of a leaflet surface area that permits retrograde fluid flow across the valve;

providing an occluding device comprising a section of remodelable material attached to an expandable support frame; and

implanting the occluding device in contact with at least a portion of the valve to block fluid flow through the retrograde aperture.