Leaflet suturing
First Claim
1. A method of suturing heart valve leaflets of a patient, said method comprising:
- providing a suturing tool having an inner shaft, an outer shaft slidably disposed over the inner shaft and having a longitudinal axis, first and second needles removably coupled to the inner shaft, and a length of suture coupled to the first and second needles;
advancing the inner and outer shafts through vasculature of the patient so that the needles are adjacent the valve leaflets;
drawing the valve leaflets into first and second leaflet receptacles, the leaflet receptacles formed between the needles and an outer wall of the inner shaft;
advancing the first and the second needles into first and second needle receptacles, the first and second needle receptacles comprising channels disposed in a sidewall of the outer shaft;
releasably locking each one of the needles with a needle catch coupled to the outer shaft near a distal end thereof, wherein each of the needle catches comprise a detent mechanism cooperating with one of the needles;
piercing the valve leaflets with the first and the second needles by linearly retracting the needles in a proximal direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the outer shaft;
releasing the first and the second needles from the inner shaft;
passing the first and second needles and the length of suture through the valve leaflets; and
securing the suture so as to affix the valve leaflets to one another.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The methods, devices, and systems are provided for performing endovascular repair of atrioventricular and other cardiac valves in the heart. Regurgitation of an atrioventricular valve, particularly a mitral valve, can be repaired by modifying a tissue structure selected from the valve leaflets, the valve annulus, the valve chordae, and the papillary muscles. These structures may be modified by suturing, stapling, snaring, or shortening, using interventional tools which are introduced to a heart chamber. Preferably, the tissue structures will be temporarily modified prior to permanent modification. For example, opposed valve leaflets may be temporarily grasped and held into position prior to permanent attachment.
667 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method of suturing heart valve leaflets of a patient, said method comprising:
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providing a suturing tool having an inner shaft, an outer shaft slidably disposed over the inner shaft and having a longitudinal axis, first and second needles removably coupled to the inner shaft, and a length of suture coupled to the first and second needles; advancing the inner and outer shafts through vasculature of the patient so that the needles are adjacent the valve leaflets; drawing the valve leaflets into first and second leaflet receptacles, the leaflet receptacles formed between the needles and an outer wall of the inner shaft; advancing the first and the second needles into first and second needle receptacles, the first and second needle receptacles comprising channels disposed in a sidewall of the outer shaft; releasably locking each one of the needles with a needle catch coupled to the outer shaft near a distal end thereof, wherein each of the needle catches comprise a detent mechanism cooperating with one of the needles; piercing the valve leaflets with the first and the second needles by linearly retracting the needles in a proximal direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the outer shaft; releasing the first and the second needles from the inner shaft; passing the first and second needles and the length of suture through the valve leaflets; and securing the suture so as to affix the valve leaflets to one another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification