Valve to myocardium tension members device and method

• US 20060052868A1
• Filed: 07/01/2005
• Published: 03/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences LLC (Edwards Lifesciences Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Myocor, Inc. (Edwards Lifesciences Corporation)
• Inventors: Mortier, Todd J., Schweich, Cyril J. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 8,226,711 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/2.360
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/048 for reducing heart wall tension, e.g. sutures with a pad on each extremity
• 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 2/2463 Implants forming part of the valve leaflets
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2487 Devices within the heart chamber, e.g. splints
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/90 Stent for heart valve

Abstract

A device for heart valve repair including at least one tension member having a first end and second end. A basal anchor is disposed at the first end of the tension member and a secondary anchor at the second end. The method includes the steps of anchoring the basal anchor proximate a heart valve and anchoring the secondary anchor at a location spaced from the valve such that the chamber geometry is altered to reduce heart wall tension and/or stress on the valve leaflets.

Claims

1-17. -17. (canceled)

18. A method for treating a heart, comprising:

positioning a valve repair device with respect to an annulus associated with an in situ mitral valve, the valve repair device comprising;

a member having a curved inner periphery that includes a concave inner periphery and a convex inner periphery; and

altering the geometries of said annulus and a heart structure other than leaflets, chordae, and papillary muscles.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the heart structure other than leaflets, chordae, and papillary muscles includes the left ventricle of the heart.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein altering the geometry of the left ventricle includes altering the position of at least one papillary muscle by drawing said papillary muscle towards the valve.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein altering the geometry of the left ventricle of a heart includes reducing one of the transverse radius and vertical dimension of said left ventricle.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein altering the geometry of the left ventricle of the heart reduces heart wall stress.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein positioning the device includes implanting said device proximate the annulus of the mitral valve.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein the member has a ring-like shape.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein altering the geometry of the left ventricle includes re-shaping the posterior side of the heart.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein the heart structure other than leaflets, chordae, and papillary muscles includes a wall of a heart chamber.

27-46. -46. (canceled)

47. A method of treating a heart, comprising:

providing a body having a first curved portion and a second curved portion;

implanting the body so that the first curved portion reshapes an annulus associated with an in situ mitral valve, wherein the second curved portion extends above the first curved portion; and

altering a geometry of a heart chamber using the second curved portion.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein implanting the body includes positioning the body proximate the annulus of the mitral valve.

49. The method of claim 47, wherein altering a geometry of a heart chamber includes reducing one of the transverse radius and vertical dimension of the said chamber.

50. The method of claim 47, wherein the body has a ring-like shape.

51. A device for repairing a valve of a heart comprising:

a first portion, said first portion comprising a flexible element,

a second portion, said second portion comprising a flexible element,

at least one chord, said chord having opposite ends, one of said ends being attached to said first portion, the other of said ends being attached to said second portion,

a first suture for attaching said first portion to the leaflet of a heart valve, and

a second suture for attaching said second portion to the papillary muscle of a heart.

52. The device of claim 51, wherein said at least one chord is a plurality of chords, each of said chords having opposite ends, one of each said ends being attached to said first portion, the other of each said ends being attached to said second portion.

53. The device of claim 52, wherein said first portion further comprises an edge, said chords being attached at one of each said ends to said first portion adjacent said edge.

54. The device of claim 52, wherein said chords are sewn to said second portion.

55. The device of claim 53, wherein said edge is rounded.

56. The device of claim 52, wherein said second suture is affixed at a first end to said second portion.

57. A method for repairing a heart valve, comprising:

providing a device for repairing a heart valve, said device having a first portion, said first portion comprising a flexible element, a second portion, said second portion comprising a flexible element, at least one chord, said chord having opposite ends, one of said ends being attached to said first portion, the other of said ends being attached to said second portion;

suturing said first portion to a leaflet of a valve; and

suturing said second portion to a papillary muscle.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein said at least one chord is a plurality of chords, each of said chords having opposite ends, one of each said ends being attached to said first portion, the other of each said ends being attached to said second portion.

59. The method of claim 57, wherein said first portion further comprises an edge, said chords being attached at one of each said ends to said first portion adjacent said edge.

60. The method of claim 57, wherein said chords are sewn to said second portion.

61. The method of claim 57, wherein said first portion includes a rounded edge, said edge being attached adjacent to the scalloped edge of the leaflet.

62. The method of claim 57, wherein said first portion further comprises an outer periphery, said first portion being sutured to the leaflet along said outer periphery.