Devices, systems and methods for accurate positioning of a prosthetic valve
First Claim
1. A method of delivering a prosthetic valve to a position within the heart of a patient, comprising:
- advancing a catheter to a native valve annulus position within the heart of the patient;
deploying at least one extendable positioner positioned at the distal end of the catheter from a first position to a second position, wherein the at least one extendable positioner extends radially away from the catheter to the second position;
confirming that the prosthetic valve is properly positioned in alignment with or adjacent to the native valve annulus by using tactile feedback from the catheter created by contact of a free end of the at least one extendable positioner with native valve tissue; and
deploying the prosthetic valve into a desired position within the native valve annulus;
wherein at least one extendable positioner is spring-loaded or biased toward the second position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is a system and method for accurately positioning a prosthetic valve such as a prosthetic heart valve at a desired position for deployment. The invention includes extendable positioning elements which provide tactile feedback to a user to confirm proper positioning of the catheter with respect to the native valve annulus. During delivery, the extendable positioning elements lie against the catheter, over the prosthetic valve and expandable balloon, providing a low profile for advancing the catheter to the desired treatment location via small passages such as body lumens. Prior to valve deployment, the positioning elements are extended and brought into contact with tissue of the native annulus to confirm the proper positioning of the delivery system and prosthetic valve.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of delivering a prosthetic valve to a position within the heart of a patient, comprising:
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advancing a catheter to a native valve annulus position within the heart of the patient; deploying at least one extendable positioner positioned at the distal end of the catheter from a first position to a second position, wherein the at least one extendable positioner extends radially away from the catheter to the second position; confirming that the prosthetic valve is properly positioned in alignment with or adjacent to the native valve annulus by using tactile feedback from the catheter created by contact of a free end of the at least one extendable positioner with native valve tissue; and deploying the prosthetic valve into a desired position within the native valve annulus; wherein at least one extendable positioner is spring-loaded or biased toward the second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of delivering a medical implant to a desired position within a patient, comprising:
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advancing a distal portion of a device into the patient from outside a patient'"'"'s body, wherein the distal portion of the device is configured to hold a medical implant; deploying a plurality of positioner members, wherein the plurality of positioner members are configured such that a fixed end is secured to the distal portion of the device and a free end extends away from the device; retracting the device until the free end of a plurality of positioner members makes abutting contact with the patient'"'"'s native tissue at a desired implant location; and implanting the medical implant into the desired position; wherein the positioner members are spring-loaded or biased toward an extended position and restrained by a cuff, the method further comprising; sliding the cuff along the device, thereby releasing the positioner members to a deployed configuration. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of replacing a deficient heart valve within the heart of a patient, comprising:
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advancing a distal portion of a device into the heart of the patient from outside a patient'"'"'s body, wherein the distal portion of the device is configured to hold a medical implant; deploying a plurality of positioner members, wherein the plurality of positioner members are configured such that a fixed end of the positioner members is secured to an attachment point located on a proximal end of an implant holding section located on the distal portion of the device; using tactile feedback from the device to confirm proper positioning of the medical implant; and deploying the medical implant in the desired position within the heart; wherein the positioner members form a ring upon deployment, and wherein the deploying of the plurality of positioning members comprises; contacting the ring with native tissue to confirm proper positioning of the medical implant. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification