Implantable prosthetic valve for treating aortic stenosis

• US 8,002,825 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2010
• Issued: 08/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Private Incorporated (Edwards Lifesciences Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Private Incorporated (Edwards Lifesciences Corporation)
• Inventors: Letac, Brice, Cribier, Alain
• Primary Examiner(s): PELLEGRINO, BRIAN E
• Application Number:
  US12/915,538
• Publication Number:
  US 20110040375A1
• Time in Patent Office: 298 Days
• Field of Search: 623/2.14, 623/2.17, 623/900, 623/1.26, 623/2.12
• US Class Current: 623/2.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2409 Support rings therefor, e.g. for connecting valves to tissue annuloplasty rings A61F2/2442
• 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 2/2415 Manufacturing methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2418 Scaffolds therefor, e.g. support stents
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2433 using balloon catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2475 Venous valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0008 Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0054 V-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/006 modular
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/90 Stent for heart valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/904 Heart

Abstract

A prosthetic valve for implantation in a stenosed aortic valve. The prosthetic valve includes a compressible and expandable frame formed with intersecting metallic bars and a valvular structure made with pericardial tissue. The frame is compressible for delivery into a patient'"'"'s vasculature through an 18 F (5.7 mm) arterial introducer using a catheterization technique. The bars of the frame preferably have a diameter in the range of 0.1 to 0.6 mm for providing the frame with sufficient radial strength to resist the recoil force exerted by the stenosed aortic valve after implantation. The prosthetic valve includes an internal cover made with pericardial tissue. The internal cover is fastened to an internal surface of the frame between an inlet end of the frame and the valvular structure for preventing regurgitation.

Claims

1. A prosthetic valve for implantation in a stenosed aortic valve, comprising:

a metallic frame having intersecting bars, the frame being compressible to a compressed external diameter capable of being introduced through an 18 French arterial introducer and into a patient'"'"'s vasculature using a catheterization technique, the frame being expandable for implantation in the stenosed aortic valve, the intersecting bars of the frame having a diameter in the range of 0.1 to 0.6 mm for providing the frame with sufficient radial strength to resist the recoil force exerted by the stenosed aortic valve, the frame having an upper extremity formed with a zig-zag shape and a lower extremity formed with a zig-zag shape;

a flexible valvular structure made with pericardial tissue, the valvular structure sewn to the frame with stitches made directly around the bars of the frame, the valvular structure positioned entirely between the upper and lower extremities of the frame when in a closed position; and

an internal cover made with pericardial tissue and sewn to the frame, the internal cover fastened on an internal surface of the frame for preventing a passage of blood through spaces between the bars of the frame, the internal cover having an inlet end sewn to the lower extremity of the frame along a zig-zag line, the internal cover having an outlet end sewn to the valvular structure;

wherein the internal cover extends between the lower extremity of the frame and the valvular structure and wherein blood is permitted to pass through spaces in the frame between the valvular structure and the upper extremity of the frame.

2. The prosthetic valve of claim 1, wherein the internal cover strengthens the fastening of the valvular structure to the frame.

3. The prosthetic valve of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a concave shape profile.

4. The prosthetic valve of claim 1, wherein the valvular structure forms a continuous surface and is provided with guiding means.

5. The prosthetic valve of claim 4, wherein the guiding means create stiffened zones which induce the valvular structure to follow a patterned movement when moving from the closed position to the open position.

6. The prosthetic valve of claim 5, wherein the guiding means are further configured to prevent eversion of the valvular structure.

7. The prosthetic valve of claim 1, wherein the frame is configured to be expanded by a balloon.

8. The prosthetic valve of claim 1, wherein the frame is further compressible to a compressed external diameter capable of being introduced through a 16 French arterial introducer.

9. The prosthetic valve of claim 1, wherein the frame is further compressible to a compressed external diameter capable of being introduced through a 14 French arterial introducer.

10. The prosthetic valve of claim 1, wherein a substance with anti-thrombotic properties is incorporated into the valvular structure.

11. The prosthetic valve of claim 1, wherein the frame constitutes a grate type structure.

12. The prosthetic valve of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower extremities of the frame are rounded and smooth.

13. The prosthetic valve of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises an expanded external diameter of about 20 to 25 millimeters for contacting the stenosed aortic valve after the prosthetic valve is implanted.

14. A prosthetic valve for implantation in a stenosed aortic valve by a catheterization technique, comprising:

a compressible and expandable frame made with intersecting metallic bars, the frame having a compressed external diameter capable of being introduced into a patient'"'"'s vasculature through an 18 French arterial introducer using a catheterization technique, the intersecting metallic bars of the frame having a diameter in the range of 0.1 to 0.6 mm for providing the frame with sufficient radial strength to resist the recoil force exerted by the stenosed aortic valve, the frame being expandable to a shape comprising a concave profile and having an upper extremity formed with a zig-zag shape and a lower extremity formed with a zig-zag shape;

a flexible valvular structure having open and closed states, the valvular structure sewn directly to the frame between the upper and lower extremities of the frame, the valvular structure made with pericardial tissue and positioned entirely between the upper and lower extremities of the frame when in the closed position; and

an internal cover made with pericardial tissue and sewn to the frame, the internal cover fastened on an internal surface of the frame for preventing a passage of blood through spaces between the bars of the frame, the internal cover having an inlet end sewn to the lower extremity of the frame along a zig-zag line, the internal cover having an outlet end sewn to the valvular structure;

wherein the internal cover extends only between the lower extremity of the frame and the valvular structure.

15. The prosthetic valve of claim 14, wherein the frame is further compressible to a compressed external diameter capable of being introduced through a 16 French arterial introducer.

16. The prosthetic valve of claim 14, wherein the upper and lower extremities of the frame are rounded and smooth.

17. The prosthetic valve of claim 14, wherein the internal cover strengthens the fastening of the valvular structure to the frame.

18. The prosthetic valve of claim 14, wherein the frame is configured to be expanded by a balloon.

19. The prosthetic valve of claim 14, wherein a substance with anti-thrombotic properties is incorporated into the valvular structure.

20. The prosthetic valve of claim 14, wherein the frame constitutes a grate type structure.