Minimally-invasive cardiac-valve prosthesis

• US 20050197695A1
• Filed: 02/25/2005
• Published: 09/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corcym SRL (LivaNova Plc)
• Original Assignee: Sorin Biomedica Cardio Srl (LivaNova Plc)
• Inventors: Burriesci, Gaetano, Bergamasco, Giovanni, Stacchino, Carla
• Granted Patent: US 8,109,996 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/2.18
• 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 2/2427 Devices for manipulating or deploying heart valves during implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0039 differing in diameter

Abstract

A cardiac-valve prosthesis is adapted for percutaneous implantation. The prosthesis includes an armature adapted for deployment in a radially expanded implantation position, the armature including a support portion and an anchor portion, which are substantially axially coextensive with respect to one another. A set of leaflets is coupled to the support portion. The leaflets can be deployed with the armature in the implantation position. The leaflets define, in the implantation position, a flow duct that is selectably obstructable. The anchor portion can be deployed to enable anchorage of the cardiac-valve prosthesis at an implantation site.

Claims

1. A cardiac-valve prosthesis adapted for percutaneous implantation, the prosthesis comprising:

an armature adapted for deployment in a radially expanded implantation position, the armature including a support portion and an anchor portion, which are substantially axially coextensive with respect to one another; and

a set of leaflets coupled to the support portion, which can be deployed with the armature in the implantation position, wherein the leaflets define, in the implantation position, a flow duct that is selectably obstructable;

wherein the anchor portion can be deployed to enable anchorage of the cardiac-valve prosthesis at an implantation site.

2. The prosthesis according to claim 1 wherein the anchor portion and the support portion of the armature are structurally distinct from one another.

3. The prosthesis according to claim 1 wherein the anchor portion and the support portion of the armature form different parts of a single structure.

4. The prosthesis according to claim 2 wherein the anchor portion of the armature has a set of ribs which, in the implantation position, are adapted to conform to a shape of the implantation site.

5. The prosthesis according to claim 4 wherein the ribs have at least one arched portion having an overall arched pattern.

6. The prosthesis according to claim 5 wherein the ribs of the anchor portion of the armature have a plurality of branches adapted to extend in an endocardial position.

7. The prosthesis according to claim 6 wherein the ribs of the anchor portion of the armature have a convex portion that is adapted to position astride a valve annulus site.

8. The prosthesis according to claim 6 wherein the ribs of the anchor portion of the armature include, respectively, a first branch and a second branch adapted to extend, respectively, in a distal position and a proximal position with respect to a valve annulus site.

9. The prosthesis according to claim 6 wherein the ribs of the anchor portion of the armature are grouped together into three sets, the sets being spaced generally equidistant about a circumference of the armature.

10. The prosthesis according to claim 1 wherein the support portion of the armature includes support ribs that are able to support the prosthetic valve leaflets in a commissural position.

11. The prosthesis according to claim 10 wherein the support ribs are grouped together into three sets.

12. The prosthesis according to claim 1 wherein a proximal portion of the set of leaflets includes, an apron-like portion that is able to extend in an endocardial site.

13. The prosthesis according to claim 12 wherein the anchor portion of the armature includes branches that are shaped to support the apron-like portion.

14. The prosthesis according to claim 1 wherein the armature is obtained from a tubular element comprising ribs having a general helical conformation.

15. The prosthesis according to claim 1 wherein the ribs are made of a superelastic material or a shape-memory material.

16. An cardiac-valve prosthesis adapted for percutaneous delivery and implantation at an anatomical valve site having a Valsalva sinus, the prosthesis comprising:

an armature adapted for delivery in a radially-compressed configuration and deployment in a radially-expanded configuration at the valve site, the armature including a support portion and an anchor portion; and

a set of leaflets coupled to the support portion, which can be deployed with the armature in the radially-expanded configuration, wherein the leaflets define a flow duct that is selectably obstructable;

wherein the anchor portion includes ribs that in the radially-expanded configuration generally conform to the Valsalva sinus to enable anchorage of the cardiac-valve prosthesis at the valve site.

17. The prosthesis according to claim 16 wherein the anchor portion and the support portion of the armature are structurally distinct from one another.

18. The prosthesis according to claim 16 wherein the anchor portion and the support portion of the armature form different parts of a single structure.

19. The prosthesis according to claim 16 wherein the ribs are made from Nitinol.

20. The prosthesis according to claim 19 wherein the ribs are shaped to generally conform to the Valsalva sinus.

21. The prosthesis according to claim 20 wherein the ribs are shaped to apply a non-traumatic amount of stress to the Valsalva sinus.

22. The prosthesis according to claim 17 wherein the ribs include a proximal portion generally shaped to conform to an intraventricular portion of the valve annulus.

23. The prosthesis according to claim 17 wherein the anchor portion includes three sets of ribs, the ribs spaced circumferentially about the armature such that each set of ribs is adapted to generally conform to each or three corresponding Valsalva sinuses.

24. The prosthesis according to claim 16 wherein the ribs of the anchor portion of the armature have a convex portion that, in a pre-stressed condition, is shaped to position astride a valve annulus site.