Devices and a Kit for Improving the Function of a Heart Valve

• US 20080208330A1
• Filed: 02/27/2006
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtentia International Ltd. Oy
• Original Assignee: Medtentia International Ltd. Oy
• Inventors: Keranen, Olli
• Granted Patent: US 9,180,006 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/2.36
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2442 Annuloplasty rings or inserts for correcting the valve shape; Implants for improving the function of a native heart valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2445 Annuloplasty rings in direct contact with the valve annulus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2448 D-shaped rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/246 Devices for obstructing a leak through a native valve in a closed condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2466 Delivery devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0014 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/009 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0016 with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0033 made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementary-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0041 using additional screws, bolts, dowels or rivets, e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0075 sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0083 using hook and loop-type fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0006 circular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0013 Horseshoe-shaped, e.g. crescent-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0091 helically-coiled or spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2-D spiral cross-section

Abstract

A device for improving the function of a heart valve comprises a first loop-shaped support, which is configured to abut a first side of the heart valve, and a second loop-shaped support, which is configured to abut a second side of the heart valve opposite to said first side, whereby a portion of the valve tissue is trapped between the first and second supports. An outer boundary of the second support is greater than an outer boundary of the first support.

Claims

1. A device for improving the function of a heart valve comprised of valve tissue including an annulus and a plurality of leaflets, the device comprising:

a first loop-shaped support, which is configured to abut a first side of the heart valve, and a second loop-shaped support, which is configured to abut a second side of the heart valve opposite to said first side, whereby a portion of the valve tissue is trapped between the first and second supports, wherein an outer boundary of the second support is greater than an outer boundary of the first support.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second loop-shaped supports are separate entities and are arranged to be connected when inserted in engagement with valve tissue.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein an end of the first loop-shaped support is connected to an end of the second loop-shaped support through a connecting part, whereby the supports and the connecting part form a coil-shape.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the connecting part is releasably attached to the first and second loop-shaped supports for disconnecting the end of the first loop-shaped support from the end of the second loop-shaped support after insertion to the heart valve.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first loop-shaped support is continuous with the second loop-shaped support to form a coil-shaped member.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein an end portion of the coil-shaped member is bent such that the end portion has a greater pitch than the rest of the coil-shaped member.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second support has a round cross-section.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the first support has a round cross-section.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second supports have equal shapes, wherein the second support is in larger scale than the first support.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the outer boundary of the first support is larger than an inner boundary of the second support.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the outer boundary of the first support corresponds to a curve through the center of the second support.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second supports are D-shaped.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second supports each have an inner core covered by an outer layer, said inner core being formed from a more rigid material than said outer layer.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein said inner core is formed from a metallic material.

15. The device according to claim 13, wherein said outer core is formed from a fabric material.

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second supports are formed from a shape memory material.

17. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fasteners arranged to extend between said first and second supports when the supports are placed on opposite sides of the heart valve.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein said first and second supports comprise bores for receiving said fasteners therethrough.

19. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a removable material on at least one of said first and second supports for reducing friction between the respective supports and the valve tissue during initial engagement therewith, said material being removable to increase the friction during securement of the device to the valve tissue.

20. The device according to claim 1, wherein opposed surfaces of the first and second supports are roughened to facilitate engagement with the valve tissue.

21. A kit for improving the function of a heart valve comprised of valve tissue including an annulus and a plurality of leaflets, the kit comprising:

a first loop-shaped support, which is configured to abut a first side of the heart valve,

a second loop-shaped support, which is configured to abut a second side of the heart valve opposite to said first side, whereby a portion of the valve tissue is trapped between the first and second supports, and

at least one fastener for connecting the first and second supports when arranged in engagement with the heart valve.

22. The kit according to claim 21, wherein the first and second supports comprise receiving members for receiving said at least one fastener.

23. The kit according to claim 21, wherein the at least one fastener is arranged on the first support and the second support comprises receiving members for receiving said at least one fastener.

24. The kit according to claim 21, wherein said at least one fastener comprises a sharp projection for penetrating valve tissue.

25. The kit according to claim 21, wherein the supports are formed from a magnetic material such that the supports when arranged on opposite sides of the heart valve may be subject to a magnetic field to attract the supports towards each other for temporarily fixating them on the opposite sides of the heart valve.

26. A device for improving the function of a heart valve comprised of valve tissue including an annulus and a plurality of leaflets, the device comprising:

a first loop-shaped support, which is configured to abut a first side of the heart valve,

a second loop-shaped support, which is configured to abut a second side of the heart valve opposite to said first side, whereby a portion of the valve tissue is trapped between the first and second supports, and

a connecting part for connecting an end of the first loop-shaped support to an end of the second loop-shaped support such that the supports and the connecting part form a coil-shape.

27. The device according to claim 26, wherein the connecting part is releasably attached to at least one of the first and second loop-shaped supports for disconnecting the end of the first loop-shaped support from the end of the second loop-shaped support after insertion to the heart valve.

28. The device according to claim 27, further comprising a carrier removably coupled to the supports for carrying the supports to the heart valve, wherein the connecting part is attached to the carrier such that the connecting part may be removed with the carrier after the supports have been placed in engagement with valve tissue.