Devices, systems, and methods for reshaping a heart valve annulus
First Claim
1. A method of treating a heart valve having a native heart valve annulus, valve leaflets and valve leaflet commissures positioned on opposite ends of a major axis of the heart valve annulus, the method comprising:
- introducing an implant into a chamber of the heart valve, the implant having one or more rails extending between a first strut and a second strut,anddeploying the implantby engaging the valve leaflet commissures on opposite ends of the major axis of the heart valve annulus with the first and second struts so as to anchor the implant by a compressive loading of the one or more rails in a direction along the major axis so as to repair, replace or supplement the native heart valve with the implant,wherein the implant anchors by engaging internal cardiac tissues without penetrating or engaging an outer epicardial surface and the one or more rails extend in a direction along the major axis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices, systems, and methods employ an implant that is sized and configured to attach to the annulus of a dysfunctional heart valve annulus. In use, the implant extends across the major axis of the annulus above and/or along the valve annulus. The implant reshapes the major axis dimension and/or other surrounding anatomic structures. The implant restores to the heart valve annulus and leaflets a more functional anatomic shape and tension. The more functional anatomic shape and tension are conducive to coaptation of the leaflets during systole, which, in turn, reduces regurgitation. The implant improves function to the valve, without surgically cinching, resecting, and/or fixing in position large portions of a dilated annulus, or without the surgical fixation of ring-like structures.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of treating a heart valve having a native heart valve annulus, valve leaflets and valve leaflet commissures positioned on opposite ends of a major axis of the heart valve annulus, the method comprising:
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introducing an implant into a chamber of the heart valve, the implant having one or more rails extending between a first strut and a second strut, and deploying the implant by engaging the valve leaflet commissures on opposite ends of the major axis of the heart valve annulus with the first and second struts so as to anchor the implant by a compressive loading of the one or more rails in a direction along the major axis so as to repair, replace or supplement the native heart valve with the implant, wherein the implant anchors by engaging internal cardiac tissues without penetrating or engaging an outer epicardial surface and the one or more rails extend in a direction along the major axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of treating a heart valve having a native heart valve annulus with valve leaflets and valve leaflet commissures on opposite ends of a major axis of the heart valve annulus, the method comprising:
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introducing an implant into a chamber of the heart valve, the implant having one or more rails extending between opposing curvilinear engagement surfaces, the one or more rails sized and configured to extend between the opposing curvilinear engagement surfaces; deploying the implant so as to engage the valve leaflet commissures on opposite ends of the major axis of the heart valve annulus with the opposing curvilinear engagement surfaces, respectively; anchoring the implant within the native heart valve annulus by a compressive loading of the one or more rails while opposing curvilinear surfaces are engaged with the opposing valve leaflet commissures, wherein the implant anchors by engaging internal tissues without penetrating or engaging an outer epicardial surface and the one or more rails extending in a direction along the major axis; and repairing, replacing or supplementing the native heart valve annulus with the implant. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of treating a heart valve having a native heart valve annulus, the annulus having a major axis and a minor axis, valve leaflets and valve leaflet commissures positioned on opposite ends of a major axis, the method comprising:
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introducing an implant into a chamber of the heart valve, the implant having one or more rails extending between a first strut and a second strut, the one or more rails having a spring constant that, when the one or more rails are compressed, urges the first strut and the second strut away from each other; and deploying the implant by engaging the implant with the annulus with the one or more rails above the native heart valve and the first and second struts engaging tissue at the lengthwise ends of the major axis in a compressed condition such that the first and second struts are urged away from each other to stretch the annulus lengthwise along its major axis while allowing the sides of the annulus to approach each other along the minor axis.
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Specification