System for implanting a replacement valve

• US 20060206192A1
• Filed: 05/12/2006
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Allen J. Tower, Michael L. Martin, Philipp Bonhoeffer
• Original Assignee: Allen J. Tower, Michael L. Martin, Philipp Bonhoeffer
• Inventors: Martin, Michael L., Bonhoeffer, Philipp, Tower, Allen J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,858,619 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/1.110
• 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 2/2433 using balloon catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2475 Venous valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/90 characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/958 Inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts

Abstract

A system for percutaneously inserting a prosthesis containing a biological replacement for a defective valve into an implantation site through a body lumen. The system contains a balloon catheter upon which a collapsable stent containing a venous valvular replacement is mounted. A protective shield is slidably mounted upon the catheter that is movable between a closed position over the balloon and an open position wherein the balloon can be inflated to expand the stent. A central lumen runs through the catheter that is formed of stainless steel. The central lumen provides a one to one torque ratio between the proximal end of the catheter and the distal end to enhance the steerability of the catheter. The vein of the replacement is reduced in thickness between 50% and 90% of its original size thereby considerably reducing the size of the replacement package when the stem is collapsed upon the balloon of the catheter.

Claims

1-16. -16. (canceled)

17. A method of percutaneously implanting a heart valve prosthesis in an implantation site, said method comprising the steps of:

forming a heart valve assembly by providing an expandable metal stent and a biological component,

mounting the biological component inside the stent by suturing the biological component to the metal stent to form a substantially tubular heart valve assembly;

providing a delivery system comprising an elongated catheter having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the distal end portion of the catheter including a blunt nose tip, an elongated inflatable balloon mounted at the distal end portion of said catheter, and a flexible, tubular metal component located at least at a distal end portion of the catheter,

providing a guide wire;

collapsing the heart valve assembly against the inflatable balloon,

implanting the guidewire;

slidably receiving the guidewire within said catheter;

advancing the catheter along the guidewire toward said implantation site,

manipulating a proximal end portion of said elongate catheter that is operatively associated with said flexible, tubular metal component to guide the catheter through bends along an intended path of travel through a vein or artery to the implantation site;

inflating the balloon to move the heart valve assembly system from the collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration at the implantation site;

deflating the balloon; and

removing the guidewire and catheter.