METHOD OF SECURING AN INTRALUMENAL FRAME ASSEMBLY

• US 20130144378A1
• Filed: 01/31/2013
• Published: 06/06/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CardiAQ LLC (Edwards Lifesciences Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiaq Valve Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Quadri, Arshad, Ratz, J. Brent, Michiels, Robrecht
• Granted Patent: US 9,480,560 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/2.1
• 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 2/2439 Expansion controlled by filaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0014 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0076 multilayered, e.g. laminated structures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0008 Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0016 with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/005 using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0058 soldered or brazed or welded
• 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 2230/0054 V-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0039 differing in diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/006 modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0069 Sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0071 breakable or frangible

Abstract

A replacement heart valve has an expandable frame configured to engage a native valve annulus and a valve body mounted to the expandable frame. The valve body can have a plurality of valve leaflets configured to open to allow flow in a first direction and engage one another so as to close and prevent flow in a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction.

Claims

1. A method of enhancing the securing of an intralumenal frame assembly to intralumenal tissue at an in situ target location, the method comprising:

delivering an intralumenal frame assembly mounted on a delivery device to a treatment location while the frame assembly is in a radially compacted state, the frame assembly comprising a main frame having a proximal end, a distal end and a middle portion and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends, the frame assembly further comprising a plurality of proximal and distal anchors configured to atraumatically grasp the intralumenal tissue at the target location upon deployment of the intralumenal frame,

deploying the intralumenal frame so that the frame expands in situ and the anchors atraumatically grasp the intralumenal tissue at the target location; and

exerting a radially inward force on the frame assembly to cause the proximal and distal anchors to grasp more forcefully the intralumenal tissue.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein deploying the intralumenal frame so that the frame expands in situ and the anchors atraumatically grasp the intralumenal tissue comprises grasping the intralumenal tissue from both sides between tips of the plurality of proximal anchors and tips of the plurality of distal anchors.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein exerting a radially inward force on the frame assembly comprises reducing a diameter of the main frame.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein exerting a radially inward force on the frame assembly comprises tensioning a tether around the main frame.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein exerting a radially inward force on the frame assembly comprises ratcheting a tether around the main frame.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein exerting a radially inward force on the frame assembly comprises raising the temperature of the main frame, wherein the main frame comprises at least in part memory shape material.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein exerting a radially inward force on the frame assembly comprises exerting a radially inward force on the main frame by contracting a secondary frame secured within the main frame.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the intralumenal tissue comprises a native valve annulus.