Devices and methods for heart valve treatment

• US 6,764,510 B2
• Filed: 01/09/2002
• Issued: 07/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences LLC (Edwards Lifesciences Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Myocor, Inc. (Edwards Lifesciences Corporation)
• Inventors: Schweich, Cyril J. Jr., Schroeder, Richard, Kusz, David, Vidlund, Robert M., Mortier, Todd J., Kalgreen, Jason E.
• Primary Examiner(s): McDermott, Corrine
• Assistant Examiner(s): SWEET, THOMAS
• Application Number:
  US10/040,784
• Publication Number:
  US 20030130731A1
• Time in Patent Office: 923 Days
• Field of Search: 623/2.34, 623/2.2, 623/2.21, 623/2.22, 623/2.23, 623/2.24, 623/2.25, 623/2.26, 623/2.27, 623/2.28, 623/2.29, 623/2.3, 623/2.31, 623/2.32, 623/2.33
• US Class Current: 623/2.34
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0487 Suture clamps, clips or locks, e.g. for replacing suture knots; Instruments for applying or removing suture clamps, clips or locks suture anchors A61B17/0401; wound clamps or clips A61B17/08; ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0464 for soft tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06052 Needle-suture combinations in which a suture is extending inside a hollow tubular needle, e.g. over the entire length of the needle hollow suture needles A61B2017/061
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2445 Annuloplasty rings in direct contact with the valve annulus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2451 Inserts in the coronary sinus for correcting the valve shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2454 Means for preventing inversion of the valve leaflets, e.g. chordae tendineae prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/246 Devices for obstructing a leak through a native valve in a closed condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2481 Devices outside the heart wall, e.g. bags, strips or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2487 Devices within the heart chamber, e.g. splints

Abstract

Devices and methods for treating heart valves include members that assist the valve in closing during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle. Such devices include members configured to alter the shape of a valve annulus, reposition at least one papillary muscle, and/or plug an orifice of the valve so as to provide a coaptation surface for the valve leaflets.

Claims

1. A device for treating leakage of a heart valve, the device comprising:

an expandable plug member configured to be implanted relative to the heart and having an external surface, at least a portion of the plug member being configured to be positioned proximate leaflets of the heart valve; and

a securement mechanism attached to the plug member and configured to secure the plug member for implantation with respect to the heart,

wherein during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle, the leaflets abut the external surface of the plug member to restrict bloodflow through the valve.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the plug member is inflatable.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the plug member is foldable.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the securement mechanism includes at least one elongate member configured to suspend the plug member between the valve leaflets.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the securement mechanism further comprises at least one anchoring member configured to secure the elongate member to a heart wall surrounding a chamber containing the valve.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the elongate member is in the form of a tether.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plug member is configured to be positioned between the valve leaflets.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plug member is configured to be positioned below free ends of the valve leaflets.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plug member is configured to be positioned approximately at a level of an annulus of the valve.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the plug member is configured to expand and collapse in response to pressure changes in the heart.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the plug member is configured to collapse during systole.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the plug member is configured to expand during diastole.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the plug member defines at least one passage configured to permit bloodflow therethrough.