Methods, devices, and kits for treating mitral valve prolapse

• US 7,632,308 B2
• Filed: 11/23/2005
• Issued: 12/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Auris Health, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Didier Loulmet
• Inventors: Loulmet, Didier
• Primary Examiner(s): Sweet; Thomas J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sharma; Yashita
• Application Number:
  US11/286,037
• Publication Number:
  US 20070118213A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,483 Days
• Field of Search: 623/2.1, 623/2.11, 623/2.36, 623/2.37, 600/37
• US Class Current: 623/2.1
• 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 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0412 having anchoring barbs or pins extending outwardly from suture anchor body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2457 Chordae tendineae prostheses

Abstract

Described here are methods, devices, and kits for treating a prolapsed valve leaflet. The devices generally comprise a flexible cord, a first anchor attached to the cord at its distal end, and a second anchor slidably attached to the cord. The first anchor may be configured to secure the cord to cardiac tissue located below a prolapsed valve leaflet and the second anchor may be configured to secure into the prolapsed valve leaflet. Also described are methods for treating a prolapsed valve including the steps of securing a first anchor to cardiac tissue located below the prolapsed mitral valve leaflet, securing a second anchor to the prolapsed mitral valve leaflet, tensioning a cord connecting the two anchors and securing the cord. Kits including the described devices are also provided.

Claims

1. A method for treating a prolapsed mitral valve leaflet comprising:

advancing a flexible cord, having a first anchor attached at its distal end to the proximity of the prolapsed mitral valve leaflet;

securing the first anchor to cardiac tissue located below the prolapsed mitral valve leaflet;

securing a second anchor slidably attached to the cord into the prolapsed mitral valve leaflet;

tensioning the cord after the second anchor has been secured into the prolapsed mitral valve leaflet; and

cutting the cord comprising advancing a looped cutting wire over the cord;

positioning the looped cutting wire proximal of the second anchor; and

pulling on the cutting wire to cut the cord.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising fixing the cord in its tensioned position.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein fixing the cord further comprises applying a fastener to the cord.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the cardiac tissue is selected from the group consisting of a papillary muscle and a ventricular wall.