Methods and apparatus for performing valvuloplasty

• US 9,358,106 B2
• Filed: 11/11/2013
• Issued: 06/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Salahieh, Amr, Morejohn, Dwight P., Hildebrand, Daniel K., Saul, Tom
• Primary Examiner(s): ORKIN, ALEXANDER J
• Application Number:
  US14/076,846
• Publication Number:
  US 20140135912A1
• Time in Patent Office: 939 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00783 Valvuloplasty
• 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 2/2439 Expansion controlled by filaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/9517 handle assemblies therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0097 Visible markings, e.g. indicia

Abstract

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for performing valvuloplasty. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an expandable braid valvuloplasty device. In some embodiments, the methods and apparatus may be used as an adjunct to percutaneous heart valve replacement. In some embodiments, the apparatus and methods may provide a medical practitioner with feedback, monitoring or measurement information, e.g., information relevant to percutaneous transcatheter heart valve replacement.

Claims

1. A replacement heart valve comprising:

an expandable anchor comprising a frame and a plurality of commissure attachment sites, the expandable anchor having a distal end, the frame defining a plurality of cell openings, and each of the commissure attachment sites defining at least one hole therethrough;

a tricuspid valve attached to the expandable anchor at the commissure attachment sites;

a seal extending along at least a portion of the frame, the seal being configured to cover at least some of the plurality of cell openings; and

a plurality of anchor actuation elements;

wherein the plurality of anchor actuation elements radially expand and foreshorten the expandable anchor to a deployed configuration by applying a proximally-directed force at the distal end of the expandable anchor and a distally-directed counter force at a proximal end of the expandable anchor.

2. The replacement heart valve of claim 1, wherein the commissure attachment sites further define a slot extending therethrough.

3. The replacement heart valve of claim 1, wherein the commissure attachment sites comprise posts.

4. The replacement heart valve of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of locking elements.

5. The replacement heart valve of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a wire braid.

6. The replacement heart valve of claim 1, wherein the frame is formed from cobalt-chromium.

7. The replacement heart valve of claim 1, wherein the frame is formed from nickel-titanium.

8. The replacement heart valve of claim 1, wherein the frame is formed from stainless steel.

9. The replacement heart valve of claim 1, wherein the seal is disposed exteriorly to the frame.

10. The replacement heart valve of claim 1 further comprising a post and buckle, the post and buckle configured to engage one another and lock the frame in an expanded configuration.

11. The replacement heart valve of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of posts, each post having a plurality of locking elements defining appendages extending therefrom.

12. The replacement heart valve of claim 11 further comprising a plurality of buckles, wherein the appendages are configured to engage the buckles and lock the frame in an expanded configuration.