Heart valve sealing devices

• US 9,414,918 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2013
• Issued: 08/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
• Original Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
• Inventors: Chau, Mark, Oba, Travis, Delgado, Sergio, Taft, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miles, Jonathan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Herbermann, Erich
• Application Number:
  US14/019,332
• Publication Number:
  US 20140067052A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,076 Days
• Field of Search: 623/2.11, 623/2.26
• 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 2/243 Deployment by mechanical expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2433 using balloon catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2436 Deployment by retracting a sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2442 Annuloplasty rings or inserts for correcting the valve shape; Implants for improving the function of a native heart valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2445 Annuloplasty rings in direct contact with the valve annulus
• 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 2/246 Devices for obstructing a leak through a native valve in a closed condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2463 Implants forming part of the valve leaflets
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2466 Delivery devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0003 having an inflatable pocket filled with fluid, e.g. liquid or gas

Abstract

This disclosure pertains generally to prosthetic devices and related methods for helping to seal native heart valves and prevent or reduce regurgitation therethrough, as well as devices and related methods for implanting such prosthetic devices. In some cases, a spacer having a single anchor can be implanted within a native heart valve. In some cases, a spacer having dual anchors can be implanted within a native heart valve. In some cases, devices can be used to extend the effective length of a native heart valve leaflet.

Claims

1. A method of implanting a prosthetic sealing device at a native mitral valve of a heart, the method comprising:

advancing a delivery catheter to a native mitral valve region of a heart from a left atrium of the heart, the delivery catheter housing the prosthetic sealing device in a radially compressed configuration;

advancing the prosthetic sealing device distally relative to the delivery catheter such that an anchor of the prosthetic sealing device moves out of the catheter and forms a leaflet-receiving gap between an end portion of the anchor and the delivery catheter;

positioning either a posterior or an anterior mitral valve leaflet in the gap; and

advancing a radially compressed body of the prosthetic sealing device out of the delivery catheter such that the body self-expands radially toward the end portion of the anchor, reducing the gap, and capturing the leaflet between the body and the end portion of the anchor, wherein the body is configured to prevent the flow of blood through the body during systole and during diastole;

wherein a non-captured one of the anterior and posterior leaflets is not secured to the prosthetic sealing device when the prosthetic sealing device is implanted for intended use at the native mitral valve.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein advancing a delivery catheter through the native mitral valve from a left atrium comprises advancing the delivery catheter through an incision in a portion of a septum between the left atrium and a right atrium.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein when the delivery catheter is advanced to the native mitral valve region of the heart, the anchor is held in a substantially straightened position within the delivery catheter extending distally from body of the prosthetic sealing device.

4. A method of implanting a prosthetic sealing device at a native mitral valve, the method comprising:

advancing a delivery device to a native mitral valve region via a left ventricle, the delivery catheter housing the prosthetic sealing device in a compressed configuration;

allowing an anchor of the prosthetic sealing device to move radially out of the delivery device while a body of the prosthetic sealing device is in a compressed configuration, such that a leaflet-receiving gap forms between an end portion of the anchor and the delivery device;

positioning either a posterior or an anterior mitral valve leaflet in the gap; and

allowing the body of the prosthetic sealing device to radially self-expand such that the leaflet is captured between the body and the anchor, wherein the body is configured to prevent the flow of blood through the body during systole and during diastole;

wherein a non-captured one of the anterior and posterior mitral valve leaflets is not secured to the prosthetic sealing device when the prosthetic sealing device is implanted for intended use at the native mitral valve.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein advancing a delivery device to a native mitral valve region via a left ventricle comprises inserting the delivery device into the left ventricle through an incision in an apex of the left ventricle.